Test Shoots

If you have ever seen my instagram you would have more than likely noticed all the previews of studio work I have been posting lately. I am (and openly admit) a major instagram flooder #instaflooder! I just love instagram. Anyway... babble over, here are some more model test shots following on from a previous post:

I had set out to do these model portfolio shots in black and white... but while retouching them, which was ever so slight as the models were flawless, (darn to naturally beautiful!); I found myself keeping a few in colour.

Lately I have been...

So it's back to university and on attempting to start my final major project for my third and final year I came up completely blank. I just needed some me time to get creative and interested in what I love again - I was in dire need of inspiration!

To get me kick started I set off into the heart of London to visit a few exhibitions. I would strongly advise all of the below to any person who wants to feel inspired or can appreciate the creative world. 

I was especially thrown back by some of the amazing talent I pondered for almost 3 hours over at the Paper exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery. I honestly thought I would be there under an hour (which totally messed up my schedule for the day) but triple that and thats how long I spent looking in detail at the variety of beautiful and unique pieces. With the great diversity present, I didn't appreciate it all but there was so much there that I couldn't take me eyes off - an exhibition with something for everyone!

When looking at photographs I like and photographers I admire I shamefully find myself mindlessly typing their names into google. Nothing beats seeing the works up-close and printed in such great quality with that silver finish, it enabled me to appreciate every single detail. From now on I am sure to go see works face on instead of over the internet, the quality of print and settings set the works to their full potential. 

I am so glad I took the first few weeks of university to explore and ignite my passion again, it has set me up to face the music...

If anyone has been to a great exhibition or interesting gallery that they think I could enjoy - please feel free to forward a suggestion, it would be much appreciated! 

Jessica x

ICA - Off-Site: A Journey Through London Subculture: 1980s to Now @ The Old Selfridges Hotel

Lucky PDF
Photographed by: Jessica Gates

Dayfdd Jones
Photographed by: Jessica Gates

Avedon @ Gagosian Gallery

Richard Avedon

Robert Mapplethorpe: Fashion Show @ Alison Jaques Gallery

Robert Mapplethorpe

Robert Mapplethorpe
Photographed by: Jessica Gates

Paper @ Saatchi Gallery

Yuken Teruya
Photograph by: Jessica Gates

Marcelo Jácome
Photographed by: Jessica Gates

New Order: British Art Now @ Saatchi Gallery

Nicholas Deshayes
Photographed by: Jessica Gates

Nicolas Deshayes
Photographed by: Jessica Gates

Philip-Lorca diCorcia: East of Eden @ David Zwirner

Philip-Lorca diCorcia

London Fashion Weekend

So, my Dad very kindly paid for me and my Mum to go to London Fashion Weekend together. It was a lovely day out, really enjoyed spending some quality time with my Mummy, having a few bevies before and a lovely meal after. 

She stayed in my university halls for two nights bless her, found it difficult to use my hob which turns off automatically after so long (some safety feature), especially after one of the two bottles of wine she brought with her! 

That is her drinking the remainders of a bowl of chips... maybe that is wear I get my love of vinegar from?!? The first picture was of us just before we set off for the day. There was this really quirky 1940s styled duo/band next to a vintage replica hat stand, I really wanted the hat my mum photographed me wearing but it was a little out of my price range. 

These following images were taken at the catwalk, Me and my mum were on the second row, and had a really amazing view until four huge men decided to turn up and sit in front of us, however I managed to find a space in between them to capture the catwalk. I took so many photographs of the catwalk, but here are just a selection.

Image, Top Left: Rachel

Image, Below Top Left: Melanie (My Mum)

All Other Images: Authors Own

Sunset...

Following on from my previous post True Beauty... The sunset this evening was absolutely beautiful, the sun was the most vibrant burnt orange I have ever seen it. The view again was breathtaking, I feel so lucky at the gorgeous sites to be living where I am. None of these images have yet been edited, the tones were created by adjusting my white balance on my SLR, the middle image is most true to the actual sunset itself.

Image: Authors Own