How to make test work with depth

Over the years I’ve talked a LOT about the difference between a test shoot and a personal shoot.  (If you haven’t heard this before you can read my thoughts on this here: https://christinaforce.net/personal-work-is-not-this/)

The problem with tests, is they have no depth. They’re hard for you or your agent to talk about, and barely get a blink from curious creatives. They only come into their own when there’s already a brief on the desk which fits.

But have you ever considered applying a personal project approach to a test shoot?

If you set aside potential client or agent demands for just a moment and start by coming up with a strong enough idea, there will be loads of ways you can execute it.

Ways which can address your need to practice a technique, or deliver more of a certain type of work or show you can shoot a certain type of product. Doing it this way round still means you create something satisfying as well as potentially compelling to those future viewers.

Think about brilliant movies which are initially written with no commercial aim, bought by production houses who THEN add product placement during filming to raise additional funds. The story guides the choice of product so it’s usually seamless.

On our recent workshop in Morocco several photographers wanted to talk about the roles of women in Moroccan society. One presented her personal experiences as a still life, one as a series of menacing street images, two were documentary style shoots of completely different women’s lives and another a typology of portraits with ancient messages on young women’s faces.

Four completely different ways of talking about the same topic.

With a thought-through approach to personal work you can make anything you want, AND have something to talk about.