reviews, achievements & contributions

‘You capture the soulfulness of a chaotic nature, full of energy and hauntingly dangerous beauty.’

Lens Culture

Paul Foley’s work is an eclectic collection of details and broader views. He considers himself a generalist photographer, engaging in disparate projects or themes that inspire or intrigue him. Some themes are ongoing but he also creates based on a single experience or light event. He makes pictures to express how light and shadow shape his vision - wherever they hit (or miss) the scenes he encounters.

Lens Culture Portfolio Reviews

One the Liquidity of Light Series: “These photographs are a total visual delight. To me, they defy the sense that light and colour are reflected off the surface of the photograph; instead, they feel like light and colour are emanating from the image (of course, when I view this on a monitor, it IS emanating, but the way you have processed the colour gives me the sense the print would have this emanating effect too).” View the series here.

On the ‘Wonderful Chaos’ Series: ‘The images are mysterious, a bit haunting and very multi-layered. They express motion, movement and yet stillness in one frame. The palette is really interesting. One feels immersed in the water. These images could be printed huge, and one would feel as if one were in the water, ready to be engulfed.” View the series here.

On the ‘Horizon’ Series: ‘They are beautiful landscapes, in the great tradition of fine art photography.’ View the series here.

Lens Culture projects.

Exhibitions

• 2016 - Raw Artists Signature Exhibition, Sydney, Australia

• 2011 – Portrait Prize - National Portrait Gallery Canberra

• 2022, 2011, 07, 05 – View 3 – Newcastle

• 2010, 08,07,06 – Selected to hang - ‘2088’ Group Exhibition – Mosman Art Gallery

• 2006 – “light moods” – Headland Gallery Mosman

• 2003 – Tokyo - ACMP Collection Touring Exhibition

• 2002 – one of two Australians invited by the Chinese Government to join a group of 50 international photographers to exhibit and photograph in China.

• 1996 – Five Women – anonymous bodyscapes – Suters Architects, Newcastle and The Photographers Gallery, Sydney

• 1993 – School Days - a series of portraits showing the students of Newcastle SSP for intellectually disabled students. Complemented by poems/stories written by the children after viewing their pictures   – Watt Space Gallery (University of Newcastle) – Also published in SMH “Good Weekend” magazine.

Awards 

• 2018 - Finalist - #14 of top 50 from 2383 Open Entries-Epson Pano Awards - The Shark Tower

• 2017 – Nominee - Fine Art Photography Awards - London - Wonderful Chaos 2

• 2011 – Finalist - Photographic Portrait Prize - National Portrait Gallery Canberra - Summer May Finlay

• 2006 – Epson Award for Digital Imaging Excellence - ADAPT Awards - Forest Regrowth

• 2006 – Canon Award for Digital Photographic Reproduction  - ADAPT Awards - Forest Regrowth

• 2006 – 2 Silvers– Australian Professional Photography Awards

• 2005 – Runner up (Landscapes) International Photography Awards, NYC

• 2003, 02 – Acceptance into Australian Photographers Collection

• 1997 – The Gold Medal at The National Print Awards

Books

• the light moods - Newcastle & Merewether Ocean Baths (2011) Buy ebook

• Lake Macquarie - Reflections of our City (2004)

• Newcastle - New Century, New Horizons (2001)

Contributions

As part of my commitment to charity and fund-raising I have been privileged to photograph:

• The Betty Cuthbert Tribute (featuring 58 Prominent and World Champion Australian Sports People), raising funds for Betty and MS Research.

• The World Professional Surfing Champions, raising funds for SIDS.

• All of the living AFL Brownlow Medallists bought together at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, raising funds for Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital.