Pedestrians - Street Photography in New York City

Written By Paul Foley


These pictures are part of a series I made in the 2 minutes and 26 seconds after 3.38pm on October 19, 2013.

I had been walking along West 53rd Street when I noticed how the sun, shining down Fifthth Avenue, was being bounced around by the high-rises and shop fronts. It was not the first time I had found backlighting with beautiful front fill light on the streets of New York City.

I photographed during a single lights change, standing still, as shoppers, tourists and business people walked past me, heading downtown. No one paid attention to me and I didn't really concentrate on any particular face - it was all happening so quickly.

Which explains why I only noticed the kid picking his nose much later.

Paul Foley

Paul Foley is an Australian landscape and fine art photographer who believes a photograph isn't real until you can touch it.

Photography expresses his fascination with light and shadow. His eclectic collection of images reflects an inquisitive nature and constant search for interesting light.

After a 35-year career in commercial photography, Paul now explores the fleeting nature of light, free of the constraints of briefs and corporate mood boards.

Paul has been a finalist in the Galah Regional Photography Prize (2025) and National Photographic Portrait Prize (2011), selected to hang in several 'Mosman 2088' exhibitions and included in group exhibitions in Glasgow, Tokyo, Newcastle and China. He has also had individual and collaborative exhibitions in Sydney and Newcastle.

Paul lives in Newcastle, Australia.

https://www.paulfoley.com.au
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