Interview: Hugh Walker
Luca Curci talks with Hugh Walker winner of the INTERNATIONAL CONTEST 18TH EDITION.

Hello, my name is Hugh Walker. My journey in photography began at school and led to studies at the New York Institute of Photography (NYIP) where I completed the Diploma in Professional Photography. I have exhibited my artwork at galleries worldwide. These include galleries in Spain, Italy, Vietnam, South Africa, Brazil, Holland, the USA, Japan, Germany, the Philippines, the UK, Columbia, Mexico, and Barbados. I have participated in several exhibitions hosted by the Blank Wall Gallery in Greece and Italy. In addition, my artwork has been displayed at the Chania International Photography Festival; an exhibition which celebrates the finest works of photographers from across the globe.

Luca Curci – How did you get into photography? Do you remember why you took your first professional photo?
Hugh Walker – I was invited to join my high school photography club by a class mate but I did not have access to a camera. My first thought was this is going to be a waste of time but I will humour him, little did I know that going to the first meeting would spark something in me that has stayed with me for over 50 years. The wonder of creativity, the magic of watching a piece of plastic morph into a negative and that negative then morphing into a physical print in your hand. I cannot remember why I took my first professional image and actually I cannot remember what was the subject of that image, all I can say is that I am happy that I took it.

LC – According to you, what makes a good photo? Which details do you focus on?
HW – What makes a good photo? My first response is the story, we are visual story tellers, however unlike painters who can start with a blank canvas we start with light and shadows, we then use these elements to guide the viewer through the frame and create a story. In todays world there is a lot of emphasis placed on the technical aspects (exposure, focus, sharpness etc), but these are secondary to the story. With out a compelling story you are left with a snapshot.

LC – What issues do you intend to deal with in the future?
HW – The growing influence of AI is a threat to creativity and its very important that we do not relinquish our stake in human creativity to prompts on a keyboard. Technology will always push the boundaries of modern living but creative artist put more than technology in their work. There is a part of them in each piece of work that they create, their experiences, loves, hates, pain, wonder all of this goes into the creative process, we cannot lose this.

LC – What are the three hashtags essential to define your poetics that you could not give up?
HW – #motion, #light,#texture

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
HW – I can be inspired by the texture on the bark of a tree, the light on a flower, the motion of the waves, the shadows of a man walking through a tunnel, the clouds on a stormy day, a singular figure sitting at a bus stop. I am inspired by everything I see and can interpret through visual story telling.

LC – What do you think about ITSLIQUID Platform?
HW – It think that its a valuable resource for creatives and should be supported in its goal to expose art to a wide community of people.

Image courtesy of Hugh Walker

Image courtesy of Hugh Walker

Image courtesy of Hugh Walker