How does the idea of a “test shoot” inform the underlying concept and the way you run Test?
I began Test as a place to experiment. Throughout my career, I’d met photographers and stylists that inspired me, but whom I had no opportunity to work with “professionally,” so I created this platform. The name Test is indeed derived from the term “test shoot,” for which photographers, stylists, models, and hair and makeup teams come together to demonstrate the best of their abilities. It’s a place to flush out new ideas and try out new collaborations. But most importantly, Test has been a place for photographers to play around with moving image. Almost every photographer I know feels pressure to master film and video right now, and they’re keen to make a reel. It’s an exciting time, as it feels like a transitional period in media — stills photographers with no training in film are clumsily picking up their ‘high-def’ cameras for the first time and tinkering around with Final Cut Pro. It’s a race to keep up with new technology and evolving expectations. Advertising agencies don’t want
