CURTIS WILLIAMS FOTOGRAF LIGHT THE ESSENCE OF LIFE
FRECKLE FACE 1976 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Press Release
Curtis Williams,
Publisher, Photographer Editor in Chief of Melrose Heights Magazine by James Koenig
Curtis Williams
is someone you might at first think is shy. But his eyes sparkle as he takes it all in-- observing the people, the setting, the feeling, the light. He is not at all shy when it comes to putting people together, directing a shoot, and getting the best out of those being exposed or transformed by his photography. From lips to landscapes, he paints with light and shadows. He has seen the tough side of life, growing up in a poor section of Los Angeles. But no matter where in the world the street is-- South Central, St. Louis, Chicago, New York, Paris, Milano, Munich or Stockholm-- he has street smarts. Already as a kid in a neighborhood somewhat akin to the one in Spike Lee’s “Boys in the Hood,” his eye was trained to see the beauty, the passion, and the pain in his surroundings. He learned at an early age that if you can “capture it” in a photograph you can transform it. It was the generosity of a mentor who recognized his talent and sent him to the prestigious Art Center College of Design. He graduated with honors. After launching a successful career in advertising with clients life Young & Rubicam; Grey, Foote, Cone & Belding; Coca Cola, 7-Up, Kraft Foods, McDonald’s, Goodyear, Michelob, and being a “regular” in magazines like Vogue, Elle, Viva, Marie Claire, People, he wanted to repay his benefactor. His “angel” asked only that the young phenom use his talents to encourage others. He has never lost sight of that first commitment. He has also produced an autobiographical film project entitled “Born Rich”-- The World of Curtis WIlliams, juxtaposing the wealth of diverse experiences with the many personal obstacles he has faced along the way. Williams likes to explore the essence of the human spirit and is as fascinated with qualities of light on film as a painter like Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens was on canvas. “I actually owe a great deal to Rubens.” says Williams. “The 17th century master used light and color to explore the inner strength of women. I like to capture the emotional power of women, immersing the viewer in a common experience of love and joy.” From the girls with Rubenesque figures to the svelte runway world, Williams spent about half of his time in Europe, and was a favorite photographer of fashion maven Wilhelmina. He is described as “a truly prodigious talent working in what can be a narcissistic industry, who is refreshingly humble. He says “There’s a reason the lens is focused away from the photographer. It’s not so much about us, but about what we can do for others. If there is beauty to be captured, and if I have the ability to capture it, it is a gift from God. My job is to capture, interpret, and present.” Currently Williams combines his marketing and creative talents as Publisher, Executive Editor, Art Director, and Photographer-in-chief of Melrose Heights Magazine, “an upscale and truly original magazine.” The publication weaves a rich tapestry of culture, information, and the arts, and seeks to create a better world by drawing people together around the stories of people who are involved, inspired, and trying to make a difference. He is a quiet friend of many representing a wide range of experience-from Director of the Harvard Foundation’s Dr Allen Counter, to Quincey Jones, to Debbie Allen, Diane Baker, and so many others. James Koenig Opera singer, arts advocate,writer, film festival director Further information about Curtis Williams and his work is available at: www.curtiswilliamsphotograph.com. He can be contacted at: curopa@sbcglobal.net.
Special thanks to my mother and father Maezell and Curtis Williams Sr., and to my son Jonathon Michael Williams and his family. Friends and relationships have played an important role in the creation of this book. I feel it would not be possible without their help and love. Just to name a few, Hayk Arakelyan, Scott, Cindi and Jennifer Garber. Dick, Dorthy and Craig Wilcox, Jean and David Fleming, JoAnna La Force, Dr. Allen S. Counter, Richard Rucker, Chris Petersen, Don Kubly, Rick Schaeffer, Staurt Gray, Jose Kendall, Ming Smith, Wilhelmina Cooper (Wilhelmina Models), Eilene Ford (Ford Models), Nina Blanchard (Blanchard Models) Andreas Zumschlinge, Jutta Zumschlinge, Ulla Soucasse, Robin Nord, Aje Phillipson, Sticken Forsberg, Sigsten Hergard, Fanny Sach, Ava Anderson, Ana Lena, Sherman Wiseberg, Dr. Keith Black, Norm Nixon, Debbie Allen--and to all that gave me the love I needed to complete this book. A big thank you from the bottom of my heart to, Margo Hemingway, and Raymond Berry.
The Italian light, known as the Tuscan Mountain, and a small piece of the beautiful Italian Riviera.
Light
influences the way people live and see life. Taken in New York City, the softÂness of the lighting here was a great contrast against the hard city. The light in this picture evokes a feeling for me of romanticism, sensuality and beauty.
1975 | Josie, Menswear Magazine 1975
I
captured this SoufflĂŠ upon returning home from Europe. It was my very first encounter with a SoufflĂŠ in California. The light on that particular day was very reminiscent of the light in Spain and Greece.
A California Souffle, Los Angeles California 2005
A California Soup, Los Angeles California 2005
When I photograph a woman, it is my goal to capture her
soul. When I “capture� this feeling on film, it is something unique, an irreplaceable signature that lives forever.
Viareggio, Italy 1985
Wine, Clock and Light / Los Angeles 1972
This studio light can only happen naturally. The time of day or night, the position of the
strobe flash lights and the position of the models created this classic photo that I called MonaSwed.
Mona Swed, Stockholm Sweden, 1978
A quote from Viva Magazine , New York, NY 1977
“I owe a great deal to Rubens”, these words sum up the work and vision of Curtis Williams a talented Fine Art / Adver-
tising photographer based in Los Angeles. His images has been published and seen around the world. Williams has been working for many prestigious clients as Young & Rubicam, Grey, Foote, Cone & Belding, and top magazines like Vogue, Elle, Viva, Marie Claire, People, and ad clients like Coca Cola, 7-Up, Kraft Foods, Michelob Beer and many more.
Two women, in the woods, Malibu, CA |1976
Two models and Swimmer in Pool | New York, NY | 1975 Bavarian Man | Castelldefels, Spain | 1992
EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING
Advertisting United Negro College Fund | New York, NY | 1976
Zeit Magazine | Munich, Germany | 1981
Ziet Magazine | Munich, Germany | 1982
Foto Magazine | Stockholm, Sweden | 1978
Vecko Revyn Magazine | Stockholm, Sweden | 1978
Advertisting TCB Hair | New York, NY | 1975
Grace Jones, Damernas Varld Magazine | Stockholm, Sweden | 1978
For
internationally renowned artist Curtis Williams, Jr. photography is a relationship with light. He sees the light like no one else. He captures the light like no one else. But before we see what he sees, Williams himself illuminates the mixture, and that’s where the magic happens. A stunning technique of manipulation with His Highness The Light. Bravo Curtis!!! Hayk Arakelyan, Dentist, Consultant to Melrose Heights Magazine. This volume takes us on a journey into that light, sharing the visionary’s vision as it has evolved over decades of work. Whether he’s reveling in the Mediterranean glow, re-creating Rubens, searching for a subject’s soul, or even presenting products—Curtis Williams opens our eyes to a poignant goodness in the world around us that we might otherwise have missed. This is a rare glimpse at a rare gift, and a rare opportunity to view light itself in a whole new light. ...........Scott Garber, Writer Curtis embraces that critical role of the artist, bringing a vision and beauty that not only benefits all of us, but also compels us to see the world a little differently. Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of the Academy of Art University, San Francisco Currently Williams combines his marketing and creative talents as Publisher, Executive Editor, Art Director, and Photographer-in-chief of Melrose Heights Magazine, “an upscale and truly original magazine.” The publication weaves a rich tapestry of culture, information, and the arts, and seeks to create a better world by drawing people together around the stories of people who are involved, inspired, and trying to make a difference. He is a quiet friend of many representing a wide range of experience-- from Director of the Harvard Foundation’s Dr Allen Counter, to Quincey Jones, Debbie Allen, Diane Baker, and so many others. James Koenig Opera singer, arts advocate,writer, film festival director Further information about Curtis Williams and his work is available at: www.curtiswilliamsphotograph. com. He can be contacted at: curopa@sbcglobal.net.
Curtis Williams Self | Italian Riviera |Viareggio, italy | 1978