New horizons in photography at Watford Museum (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

New horizons in photography at Watford Museum

3:08pm Monday 8th March 2010 in

More stories about: Watford Museum

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That magical space where the water meets the sky has enticed painters and photographers alike. Watford-based photographer Steve Williams has been tirelessly working towards a definitive project about the effects of water. A seascape of Hastings most clearly illustrates his intent. In it the sky and sea merge in a series of grey shades, resembling a sheet of burnished metal.

The results of Steve’s efforts can be seen when his first solo show goes up at the Space 2 gallery at Watford Museum this week. His black and white images are all linked by simplicity of subject matter, which is given added poignancy by long exposure. “The greater majority of my work is black and white,” comments Steve. “I’ve always liked the simplicity of it, it stands out more than colour.”

Glancing at Steve’s online portfolio, there’s a sequence of pictures solely dedicated to the effects of fog, while more recent photographs describe the effects of water where it curves, winds into ribbons or splits, when it is perfectly smooth like glass or turned to an eerie mist. Rickmansworth Aquadrome, The Grand Union Canal at Croxley and a frozen canal in Watford are recent subjects.

A commercial artist and retoucher by trade, Steve is now working towards the first level of distinctions as a member of the Royal Photographic Society. Previous work received commendations at the Sony Photo Awards.

I’ve been known to stand in the surf up to my waist to get the right shot

Steve Williams

Originally from Bath, Steve moved to London then gradually out to Harrow and Rayners Lane and has lived in Watford with his wife Sarah for the past 12 years. The couple have a four-year-old daughter Erin, who is proving to be her dad’s able assistant.

“She’s a very budding photographer and has her own camera now,” says Steve. “Whenever she’s out with me she wants to be the one to hold the remote and press the switch.”

Travelling to the coast with his family, Steve has been able to combine a day out with work but he’s also gone to extremes to get the right shot.

“I’ve been known to stand in the surf up to my waist to get the right shot and the water was very cold, despite a wetsuit. Getting out of the sand can also be tricky, it’s so fluid. When you stand still for so long you gradually sink in.”

A photographic workshop in Biarritz gave Steve the opportunity to develop his long-exposure work and provided scope for his collection, around 25 to 30 of which will be on display at the museum.

“My work is solely digital, but doing your own processing and printing gives you an eye for detailing. You can achieve a lot through processing, but if you can get it right in the camera you get a more believable image. The more you do with your camera the better. ”

Steve’s show runs until Saturday, March 27 at Watford Museum. The gallery is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.