Images – Jonathon Seagull Blog

Scotland: Isle of Skye & Raasay

For six weeks from October to November this year, I stayed on the incredible Isles of Skye and Raasay off the West Coast of Scotland. I would make Raasay House my base, where I would work alongside my dear friend Poppy.

With a group of happy and kind people in tow, I explored the wild open spaces of the Scottish western isles with an adventurous and intrepid spirit. I recall one late afternoon we were on a beach with an ancient castle ruin towering over us, and someone among us said swim, and we all did in spite of the icy ocean water. What a laugh it was! Some of us made it as far as Edinburgh and Glasgow, where we were fortunate to see a fantastic Scottish folk music performance in a bar and wander the stone clad streets.

From the moment I drove past Loch Lomond and through the mountains of Glencoe, I knew this would be a magical place to explore. Then twisting and turning along the most scenic, open roads and over a huge bridge I arrived on Skye, which is out of this world!

These are the photos I have chosen to capture my time on the islands. Having considered the natural landscapes and environment, I decided to go a little experimental and shoot on Fuji Velvia 35mm, for rich and colourful tones. A few images were captured on my phone.

Keep an eye on my Instagram Story! Over the next few days I will be showing a select few more memories from Scotland.

Featuring: @franefm, @hope_wellss and @pp0peye

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An Excursion in Girona

I recently had the chance to spend four days in the ancient city of Girona. Nestled in the Northern region of Catalonia about an hour away from Barcelona, Girona represents an alternative to the rapid and modernised face of Spain.

The stunning 9^th century AD walled fortification illustrates an independent lineage which runs through the people and the place, something which is alive today in the latest political fractures like the Catalan independence movement. The air is filled with a quietened revolutionary tension, as almost all of the beautiful facades in the old town brandish yellow ribbons and flags in solidarity with the Catalan people.

Despite this backdrop, I am keen to impress on anyone just how welcome I felt during our visit. We were four good friends who met together from afar. Madison, no stranger to this blog, had flown in from the States. Laura had journeyed from Switzerland and Celia had come from England. Celia sadly had to leave on my first day. As we stumbled along through broken Spanish in our interactions, we were greeted by nothing but patience and kindness.

We spent our days laughing, drinking far too much wine, eating some of the greatest pastries on planet earth and admiring the creativity on display around the city in the world renowned Girona Flower Festival.

In all, it was a joyous first experience of a country that I can see myself visiting again and again. Gracias España!

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All photos were shot on Kodak Ektar 100 35mm.

@jonathonseagull

@madimaeberri

Snow Day with Friends

Over a few days recently we had some proper snowfall, something which doesn’t happen too often around here. Usually this group of friends are a fairly busy bunch, but this was an opportunity far to good to miss and we all decided to take the day to play in the snow. With us were Iulia and boyfriend Thomas as well as Hope who’s been on here before.

We slipped and slided our way to the park, with a big old cushion in hand to try a little sledding. Everyone and their children were out playing and having fun. So did we! Have a look at the photos.

At the Beach with Hope

Winter this year has been a dreary affair, having not found much time to play or explore. Working a regular job for a while has led me to appreciate the times when you are free to go wherever you want.

There have been one or two adventures, and certainly the best of them was when my lovely companion Hope and me went out to a place called Birling Gap.

We started the day by visiting a favourite spot in Brighton for coffee and a nibble to eat. Following a nose around in a couple of shops, we departed. Winding our way along the grassy Sussex coastline we came to Birling Gap, where we climbed down and spent time on the beach. There were white cliffs towering over us, as a warm midwinter sun set on the horizon, tinting everything orange.

It was the best day out, as we laughed and played music. Made all the better by the company.

Here are some photos from Hope and myself that day.

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Visit To Bristol: September 2017

I recently had a much overdue visit to Bristol, a city which is stealing my heart more each time I venture there. Although it only lasted two days, I made sure that they were full to the brim. I am already making plans to return again.

One of the absolute highlights was getting to hang out with my old friend Maisie . We caught up in a cafe and then wandered about as we always do, taking a meandering route through central Bristol.

Here is a series of photos from along the way.

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Last Week Living In Bath

This was my last week living in Bath. For two and a bit years I have created a life, which centred on studies at the university. All at once, I would be saying goodbye to one of my best friends Madi (who is on a long winding journey back home to the States), graduating and moving out of the place I had made into a home.

Although there was a thousand things to do, I would be damned if I didn’t get to spend time with friends in the city. What started out as one simple plan, grew into day after day of great memories, including a pool party in our back yard.

In brief moments of quiet there was an intangible melancholy of things coming to an end. On the final eve, I was captivated by the most breathtaking sunset. I paused my desperate packing for a while and was drawn outside for a final walk.

These are some of the pictures from the week.

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Bath Spa University Fashion Design Show 2017

I had the incredible opportunity to shoot pictures at Bath Spa University’s Fashion Design Course graduate show. It was held at the Assembly Rooms in Bath.

I’ve never done anything of this kind before, and though I prepared beforehand, I knew this would be a unique and challenging experience. As someone with a ‘low key’ sartorial passion, I found out about this and immediately knew I wanted to go.

I love shooting portraits with people, but taking pictures here would be on a whole different level. It was one of the most intense and exhilarating things I’ve done yet; a total cacophony of sounds and lights. Once the fashion show started, everything moved seamlessly and relentlessly forward and I loved every moment of it.

I wish to extend particular thanks to Louise Pickles (head of BSU Fashion Design course) who graciously allowed me to be there, as well as to Simon Armstrong (the commissioned fashion photographer) who let me work right alongside him. The show was a spectacle to behold.

To see more of my photo’s from the show, please follow this link to my Flickr.

London in Black and White

London is many things, light and dark. Perhaps nowhere else in England embodies the intersection between chaotic creation and destruction like this monolithic metropolis, that 8.6 million people call home.

There is something foreboding about London; to feel a little intimidated by ‘The Big Smoke’ is a sign of wisdom. The idea of London as the epicentre of historic dominion and oppression remains. You can very much feel the ghost of the terror and darkness that once inhabited the streets; lasting darkness of the kind immortalised in the poetry of William Blake. And everywhere little reminders lay, like the hopeless inequality which hangs heavy and leaden over this place. I have resisted London, although I cannot deny the cultural weight which is here.

In a city of such enormous contrast and energy, it felt right to take photos in black and white. My close friend William and I packed our bags, and set off into the mass.

William looks out from the Switch House tower. Tate Modern, London

A Day in Bristol

I have been going to Bristol infrequently for some time now, and every time I do it is a different experience. There are so many areas, and hidden places to find. Without fail, it is an exciting place to be. My good friend Aimee and I wanted to take a day to dreamily delve into this varied city.

__8_00008 — City Hall, Bristol (F) Fuji Superia

_12_00012 — We made a brief stop in Arch House Deli for something to eat. (F) Fuji Superia

_14_00014 — Browsing through some of the kooky little shops in The Clifton Arcade. (F) Fuji Superia

__9_00009 — …. okay, so maybe a bit more than just browsing in Papersmiths. (F) Fuji Provia

_19_00019 — We summoned some gusto, to head up and over the suspension bridge. (F) Fuji Superia

_22_00022 — We finally laid back on the sofa in ANNA Cake Couture. (F) Fuji Superia

_21_00021 — Over what you might call a cup of fancy tea, we savoured the last moments of the afternoon. (F) Fuji Superia

Cuckmere Haven

I had really wanted to go back to Cuckmere Haven, having been there several times before. There is definitely something special about the place. Located somewhere between the towns of Eastbourne and Seaford, this is where Sussex runs into the ocean.

The river Cuckmere flows in sinews through the grassy flood plain, and isolates green islets, dotted all over with sheep. There are footpaths which lead down and around it, and out to the sea. A pebble beach gazes across at the chalk cliffs called the Seven Sisters.

I took some photos while I wandered about the place.

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