Francis Keating on photography

Photography, for me, is about capturing something beyond appearance — a spirit, a mood, an emotional presence that viewers can connect with in their own way.

I am a Brisbane-based fine art photographer whose work explores atmosphere, form and emotional presence through black and white photography.

I work primarily in black and white because of its timeless, classical quality. Light has the power to convey emotion — from quiet sorrow to solitude and contemplation.

When composing an image, I often look for unusual angles or perspectives that allow familiar subjects — whether architecture, the human form, or elements of nature — to be seen differently. I’m interested in revealing something unexpected within the ordinary.

My work explores portraiture, architecture, landscape and the human form, often using shadow, texture and contrast to create quiet, psychologically charged images.

One of the qualities I value most deeply in photography is its ability to create an immediate emotional connection.

I prefer to focus on the aesthetic and emotional resonance of an image rather than impose a fixed concept or interpretation. The photograph should leave space for the viewer’s own thoughts, memories, and perceptions.

Photographers who have influenced my work include Imogen Cunningham, Edward Weston, Wynn Bullock, and particularly Bill Brandt.