paul foley - Australian landscape and fine art photographer

Paul's fine art photography is an eclectic collection of details and broader views.

Passionate about the search for light and its inspiring moods, Paul forges and caresses them - in camera and with software. The essential finale of the process, though, is an archival, museum-quality print. Today, when amazing pictures are swiped away in seconds, standing before a thoughtful, well-crafted artwork is to experience the soul of photography.

'I make pictures to express how light and shadow shape my creativity. While I photograph single experiences or light events, I am most attracted by the 'scapes - land, sea, cloud, body - for inspiration.

I call my process' finding pictures', which may help explain my eclectic range of subjects. It grows from an inquisitive interest in landscape and the human condition and a constant search for interesting light.'

Paul sees himself as a generalist photographer working on disparate projects or themes that intrigue and even beguile him. Some are ongoing, while others are more spontaneous as he expands his traditional skills into the digital and phone camera domains.

His fine art prints can be colour, black and white, or toned - the light and the story it tells determines the process.

'My first attraction to photography was through the pages of 1970's surf magazines. Inspired, I saved for a Pentax SLR and a cheap 400mm lens, then began photographing my friends surfing. I was full of teenage ambition to see my pictures on a magazine's page. After a week of waiting, the Kodachromes would come back from processing. I would project the best on my bedroom wall, imagining them as magazine covers with mastheads and headlines.

During the mid-'70s and '80, there was some limited publishing success. But even more fun and adventurous travelling to various surf locations worldwide. Travel opened my photographic soul - it encouraged me to better understand my craft. I discovered (and devoured) the images and teachings of Ansel Adams. Practical instruction came via many workshops conducted by contemporary masters of photography.

I was also very fortunate to receive mentoring from iconic Australian photographer David Moore. This mix of 'on-page' and in-person tuition taught me to photograph using precise techniques and contemplative reflection. I would make photographs for many years using only large and medium format cameras.'

Later, Paul settled into a professional photography career based in Newcastle, Australia. Commissioned by local, national, and international clients, he was a busy pro with assignments around Australia and the world. All the while, though, Paul made pictures for himself. Everyone needs a hobby as a break from everyday work, and his was photography - despite his day job.

In 2006, Paul almost permanently lost his sight after eye surgery. It took several years for his eyes to recover fully and longer to come to terms with the associated depression. Always the optimist, Paul found the recovery period gave him more time for his 'hobby'. A determination to express how that smeared vision, immediately after the operation, filtered his world. He began photographing familiar and fresh scenes with blur and motion.

COVID and travel restrictions brought forward his planned retirement from Corporate Photography. He now devotes more time to his personal work while working part-time as a Creative for Apple.

Paul’s work can be found on Instagram ( @lightmoods )