This story first appeared in print in the March 2019 issue of Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine.
In a virtual world over-saturated with endless photos of idyllic landscapes, how can the art of “real” photography fight its way into focus? Emerging talent, Hywel (“Hu-well”) Williams, believes the answer lies in patience, diversity, and branding.
So, who is this fella with the tricky name? I sat down with the Selkirk Tangiers photography team member, to learn his story and the steps he’s taken to stand out in a somewhat crowded industry.
Hywel’s childhood was characterized by a healthy fusion of art and sport. In his pre-teen years, he could be found on the streets of suburban East England, capturing photos and videos of friends grinding rails and busting out flip tricks on their skateboards. When back in classroom, he would be experimenting with light and shadow in the studio darkroom.
A teenager with a taste for adrenaline, at age fourteen he ditched the concrete ramps for the buttery slopes of the Italian Alps. Yet the subsequent years of school ski trips couldn’t satisfy his newfound appetite for powder. After graduating with a degree in Action Sports Photography, he went on to chase winter every season; France, New Zealand and Japan were simply a few pit stops before landing in his now home of Revelstoke (where faceshots are served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Unsurprisingly, he plans to stick around.
Being passionate isn’t always enough, though. There is a growing expectation for those in the creative arts community to reach beyond the realms of their primary profession and tap into an additional, complementary skill-set. His current toolbox includes website design, photo-journalism and videography experimentation.
Hywel spent the past summer in Bella Coola working at a remote mountain lodge in the small town of Hagensborg, redesigning a website for a business that places you in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest. In this project, he was also responsible for capturing the accompanying wildlife photography. This multi-faceted project allowed him to reach a finished product that fully conveyed his artistic vision.
The patience that is needed to shoot wildlife photography, he assures me, should not be underestimated. Having the knowledge to observe wildlife at proximity for hours on end and waiting for that 30-second window can be quite humbling.
Though a clear contrast from the dynamic, fast-paced world of snow sports photography, the experience serves as a reminder that not everyday will be a bluebird day, not every landing will be tracks-free — but that’s OK, because quality content is not instantaneous. Real photographers are happy to wait, to adapt and to create a space for themselves.
Keen to see more? Follow Hywel’s journey on Instagram at @hywelwilliamsphoto or visit his website at www.hywelwilliams.com.
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