Wednesday 20 April 2016

photographs of light


Visit the Gallery ©Paul Foley


Visit the Gallery © Paul Foley







'Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it.'

Terry Pratchett, Reaper Man






Visit The Gallery © Paul Foley



Sunday 17 April 2016

Fine art photographs of the horizon



Visit the gallery © Paul Foley


Visit the gallery © Paul Foley


Much of my inspiration lives on the shoreline and at the horizon.

The shoreline is my base - it is where I wander when I need to feel home. The horizon is where I gaze when leaving home becomes a plan for discovery and adventure.

The visual link between the shoreline and the horizon is obvious - the closest leads to the distant other. However, though connected, they serve different roles in my creative process.

The shoreline is busier - I need to be aware of waves and tides. Timing is everything. Photographing the horizon, on the other hand, is a slower process. The longer exposures give me time to gaze out and dream - which is just fine by me.

Saturday 2 April 2016

finding pictures - one on one mentoring


Photography is a wonderful, creative outlet in a hectic and sometimes overbearing world. Digital photography has made picture making easier yet more daunting at the same time. Of course, there are plenty of workshops and online tutorials to choose from but which ones are best?

I believe that nothing can beat expert one on one mentoring. Targeted mentoring is perfect for enthusiast and novice photographers. It is effective and fun learning that will nurture and expand the joy of photography.
I love sharing the rules and techniques I have learnt during a 30 year professional career. I enjoy even more showing my students how to bend and break those rules.
'My 'one on one' mentoring' will guide you towards your own photographic style. I call it 'finding pictures' and it provides steps and techniques to make the most of the light you find and the camera you have.'
There are two versions of mentoring available - in person or online:

In person one on one mentoring

The process includes:
1/ Interview - A phone conversation to discover your photographic interests and experience level. I then prepare a mentoring session based on the interview and the amount of time you book.
2/ Mentoring - The session takes place at a location relevant to your photographic interests. I will make suggestions but it could also be your preferred location.
3/ On-going assessment - I critique up to 10 pictures after the session. I will provide ideas and solutions to any photographic challenges you encountered making them. For best learning outcomes these critiques are best spread over a 4 to 6 week period after the mentoring session.

In person two on one mentoring

For friends or couples sharing a common photographic interest I can offer mentoring for two in a single session. Each photographer can provide their own images during the ongoing assessment component. This is a great way to split the costs and save.

Online one on one mentoring

I conduct online mentoring via email. It features a series of photographic exercises based on your interests, experience and equipment.
The process includes:
1/ Interview - An email conversation to discover your photographic interests and experience level. I then prepare a mentoring session based on the interview and the number of assignments you buy. Assignments are sold in batches of 5 or 10.
2/ Mentoring - Each week (or fortnight) I set an assignment that relates to your interest and skill level. It will include suggestions on how to complete the picture and is based on your experience and equipment range.
3/ On-going assessment - After each assignment you upload a high res file and I provide feedback and suggestions to ensure your ongoing improvement.
Please email with a brief description of your interests, experience and the camera equipment you use. Include an outline of what you wish to achieve with mentoring and I will explain how I will approach your needs. From there you can decide how many critiques you might need.
A skype consultation option is also available.
Pricing
In person 2 hour session (1 person) - includes 5 image critiques: $295.00 
In person 2 hour session (2 person) - includes 10 image critiques: $395.00 
In person 4 hour session (1 person) - includes 10 image critiques: $495.00 
In person 4 hour session (2 person) - includes 20 image critiques: $595.00
Online 5 image critiques: $245.00 
Online 10 image critiques: $395.00 
Click here to buy. Just use the 'Add to cart' button to select your session or critiques.
About me
My professional career has covered the gamut of photographic assignments. I work for small and large clients in regional Australia, capital cities and internationally. My fine art photography is an eclectic mix of people, landscape and abstracts. While all this gives me wide experience and constant challenges it is not to say I am an expert in everything. I don't take on clients unless I have experience relevant to their interests.
My expertise covers:
The technology of digital capture: This knowledge makes you a better photographer who creates clean files with contrast and tone. Perfect for display in high resolution detail on a computer screen or as beautiful prints.
The art and design of photography: I know the rules of photography and how to apply them to everyday photographic challenges. Importantly I know when and how to break them. I believe every photographer can discover their own style with my practical processes and methods.
The process of picture making: I explain how composition, exposure, focus, depth of field work and how to use them to create your own style. I will help you get the most out of your existing camera and equipment. I can also offer honest, practical advice on any future equipment choices you might be considering. I will help you understand how pros get their pictures and the tools they use.
The power of light: Of course having a great camera is for nothing if you don’t know how light works and how to control it. Powerful photographs are often as much about what is left out as is included within the frame.
Understanding Lightroom: I will help you get started with RAW photography and the clean 21st century ‘lightroom’. You will learn how to make pictures with lots of information and be able to fine-tune and tweak the files in Lightroom. Your pictures will show all the beautiful details and colours or black and white tones that you saw - or imagined!
In person mentoring prices are valid for the Sydney, Newcastle and Illawarra areas. Please call or email for bookings, Gift Vouchers, full day and multi session mentoring or if you have any questions at all. I have a full money back guarantee for all my services if you are not 110% satisfied!