Thomas Gallane (b. 1970, Sydney, Australia) has spent over three decades behind the lens, and for two of those decades, he worked as a luxury destination photographer across Australia, Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, New Zealand, and New York for private clients. Over time, his photography has evolved into contemporary fine art, producing works that are deeply personal and reflective of his inner world.

In recent years, Gallane has focused on creating work that speaks to his own artistic vision, exploring the psychological and philosophical layers within his imagery. His latest series, Between Light and Shadows, represents this evolution a body of work that examines the space between photography, photorealism, and the tactile, imperfect beauty of wet plate collodion techniques. Gallane’s images carry a distinct painterly feel, blurring the boundaries between photography and painting. It’s not just about documenting a scene or capturing a landscape, it’s about delving into the emotional and atmospheric depths of the subject, revealing something more profound beneath the surface.

Gallane’s creative process is deeply instinctual. He follows his gut, often breaking the traditional rules of photography to allow his work to unfold organically. It’s in these moments when he pushes beyond the expected and steps over the edge that his true voice emerges. This instinct driven approach gives his work an authenticity and rawness, a reflection of both his inner world and the emotions he seeks to evoke in the viewer. That sense of going beyond, of trusting the uncharted, is what he instills in every photograph.

The creation of this series has been a journey of patience and endurance, taking eight years to come to life. Each image reflects a thoughtful, meditative process, both in photographing and in the careful stages of post-production. Gallane’s work is an exploration of light and shadow, but more profoundly, it is a way to connect with the deeper layers of experience and meaning. His photographs are expressions of his evolving voice as an artist, reflecting a desire to move beyond the obvious and engage with the subtle interplay of presence and absence.

Drawing inspiration from the dramatic chiaroscuro of Caravaggio, the cinematic lighting of Gordon Willis, and the timeless compositions of Edward Steichen, Gallane’s work also resonates with the existential themes found in the writings of Nietzsche. Like Nietzsche’s exploration of the ‘abyss’ and the tension between chaos and order, Gallane’s images invite viewers to look beyond what is illuminated and to engage with the quiet spaces in between. His work asks us to consider not just what we see, but how we perceive it, and how light and shadow shape our understanding of the world and ourselves.

Additionally, Gallane’s work is influenced by the surreal, layered storytelling of Federico Fellini. Much like Fellini captured the unreality of life—blending dreams, memories, and reality into a seamless narrative Gallane’s images explore the boundaries between the real and the imagined. His photographs evoke a sense of timelessness and ambiguity, inviting viewers into a world where the familiar becomes strange and where light and shadow become metaphors for the complexity of human experience.

Art and creating are Gallane’s passions. The process brings everything out of him, forming a dialogue between the external world and his internal reflections. His photographs are more than just images they are thoughtful explorations of light, space, and emotion, inviting viewers to slow down and engage with the subtle beauty and mystery of the world around them.