A few introductory words from Paul:

“Born in Adelaide South Australia 1960. Got as far as 3rd grade at high school; never did well at school! Hated school for the most part; loved soccer and was one of the youngest kids to sign on professionally at Cumberland Soccer Club. A car accident put paid to that! Did my electrical apprenticeship, again only just passed the schooling requirement. But was of and running in terms of a career. I started my own business doing electrical work about a year out of my apprenticeship. This failed, no doubt too young. Worked here and there for a little while before going back on the tools as a breakdown electrcian for Hobart Food Equipment. All pretty boring so far. Then I started my own business again. Did alright at that till about 6 years down the road when in 1986 when we fell into a recession. Folded that business and went to help get Menen Hotel in Nauru off the ground for the South Pacific Forum. Consultant for the Menen Hotel to the Special Presidential Adviser. Wow sounds important. This island is, or was, one of the richest people in the world. Then back to working in Adelaide as a Manager of electrical things. Did that for about 8 years before suffering a second prolasped disc. Health took it’s toll. Lost the job of the day and decided I hadn’t really done much in life that I considered very important. Had time on my hands cause it was difficult getting a job after back surgery. But it was also the most important time in my life. I got a chance to go in a different direction. I took up photography and to a lesser degree and artistic bent came into my life. I started this in about 2004! And I am loving it more all the time. It has become the anchour of my life. It keeps me from spiralling into a pretty gloomy place. Without it I think I would have lost my family and freinds and career. Now, I’ve just lost my career. But I’m a nicer person to be around for the most part. I have trouble keeping it smooth sailing and dive into art whenever I can’t cope with the world. Going through that at the moment!

My photographic journey has been a meander really. I started thinking I could make a living doing landscape photographer. That was short lived. I get bored of things very easily. I like to master a style and then move on. Only returning to that style when a significant reason comes to light. I found myself being pulled toward protraiture. Not sure why, but I have failed miserably to really deliver on my visions. For some reason I can’t get the confronting pathos embued into my imagery. I am a high contrast, beauty portrait shooter with a darker bent. But I think this too is only transitory. I want to exercise my feelings in what ever direction I think comes to the fore. So I’m not fixed on portraiture, in fact I would like to do some street photography. Journalistic style, but again with the darker content coming through.”

A brief selection of Paul’s work can be found in the gallery below. Additionally, visit his site for more amazing imagery.

Paul Rohal Photography

Images by Paul Rohal

8 Photos