Hubert Williams - Jazz 24 Volts
Artist’s Statement
Every day I try to be a better photographer than I was the day before. As the saying
goes… “You’re only as good as your last shoot!” What I enjoy most about photographing people is I get to see something deep, beyond their physical image. There is much more to capture than just a smile.
Every image has its own unique moment. Excited by the look and feel of a camera, I get a certain thrill when I have this mechanical equipment in my possession. It does not matter what brand of camera it is. Currently, I am a Nikon owner, but any camera will do if you know what to do with it. Photographing people is an art unto itself. If I unselfishly focus on my subject, I can capture their soul…their inner being. Sometimes I can do this spontaneously…sometimes not. Being in the right place at the right time is key.
Capturing the perfect image sometimes comes just by chance. Then there are times when I am in my studio and I create and demand that perfect image for both myself and my subject. Every image lives only once. I believe that no two images or expressions are the same.
As a special events photographer, I get to go to many places and see lots of people. Since 2002 I’ve been asked to photograph such celebrities as James Earl Jones, Herbie Hancock, Smokey Robinson, and Ruby Dee. I kind of cut my digital photography teeth on fashion photography. But I am absolutely transformed by shooting Jazz. This is the art form that arrests my soul. I become one with the artist and the music. When shooting jazz, I see more than the artist or musician, I feel as if I can capture the very power behind each note that is played or sung. It’s like being hit by 24 volts of power that translates into the final, soulful, perfect photograph.
Biography
Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, my family migrated to New York in 1964. I went to
Abraham Lincoln High School in Brighton Beach, and attended New York City Technical College as a electrical engineer major. Worked in the field of off-set printing for five years, and went on to find my career in corporate America until 2004.
My first actual encounter with a camera was in 1976 with an 8mm video camera, when I filmed a robbery in progress. In 1978 I bought my first 35mm camera - a Minolta XG7, with which I photographed friends and my firstborn son. In 1981, I invested in the popular Cannon A-E1, and the Canon T50, 35mm film cameras that I still own. I used both these film based cameras to learn the art of photography and the technical aspects of acquiring the correct exposed image.
After years of randomly photographing people, places and structures I decided that
photographing people was more exciting. In 1995, I started building computers, which was about the time the digital age in photography was born. I received a 3.4 megapixel digital camera (point and shoot) as a gift and I became familiar enough with that camera to confidently shoot my first wedding. I thought the wedding shots came out great – unfortunately, the bride did not share my enthusiasm.
From there I diligently applied myself to the study of digital photography. Being self
taught has afforded me many opportunities (through trial and error) and much practice to become confident in the world of photography. All of a sudden, I became the go to person for many of the current digital cameras.
In 2004, leaving the corporate arena behind, I made digital photography my livelihood. I quickly developed a professional reputation. Fashion photography became a favorite, but was soon to be replaced with Jazz and Opera. Many assignments came from people watching me work and referrals from satisfied clients. … “I live to shoot.”
When I’m not shooting I really enjoy home theater, professional bike racing. I collect
fine watches and flashlights.
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