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Foley Photo Studio
Interview with photographer Tom Foley
By Carin Franey
Tom is a local professional photographer. I had the pleasure of meeting native born Tom Foley when I went to YMCA Camp at Lake Bracken many years ago. He was a camp counselor there and he made quite an impression on me. He took us on a nature hike. The one thing that stuck on my mind was the lesson on survival skills he learned thru the Boy Scouts. He demonstrated by snatching an ant, breaking off it's head, and eating it. At the time, I was quite grossed out by this, but now chuckle about it every time I see him around town. I had the chance to sit down with Tom for a one-on-one interview and he shared his thoughts with me.
Tom first became interested in photography thru a 4-H project when he was ten years old. His father, Bill Foley, started the camera shop with Bob Colville in 1946. Midwest Photo Service was located on North Broad St. Tom stayed in this area after graduating from Coe College, because he was able to work as a clerk with his dad in the camera store. He also did freelance photography on the weekends.
(photo by Tom Foley while in ferris wheel at Railroad Days)
When asked who he looked up to as a photographer, Tom said, "They tend to be fine art photographers. The best known is Ansel Adams. I have also always liked Paul Strand. I have a new interest in Brett Weston. I just saw a show of his work on vacation when we were in Washington DC. His father, Edward Weston, like my father, was a photographer." Then he talked about local photographers who influenced him. "My first teacher and mentor was my father. When I was in high school, I got to know the Register Mail photographer, Dale Humphrey, who is now passed away. Dale was a great photojournalist. A lot of friends have given me ideas on how to improve my photography including, Mike Godsil , Randy Weaver, John Vellenga, Rich Ankenney and the late Bob Huddle."
Not only does Tom run his own photography studio (Foley Photo Studio), he also teaches photography classes. When Tom was asked what he liked about teaching classes he explained, "Teaching is much like performing. It's interesting because I always end up understanding my subject even better after teaching it. I think because it just makes you approach it a little bit more differently. Recently I had an opportunity to teach two classes with Carl Sandburg through their program ‘Kids on Campus'. Teaching gives you a way to share some information with other people who may be starting out, the same way my father and Dale helped me."
Commercially, Tom primarily uses a Pentax digital single lens reflex. But he still enjoys shooting film for private projects. "I primarily shooting black and white film. I have one very long term project which involves a tree which fell into Lake Storey. I have photographed it crumbling and rotting away over the last thirty years. It has been basically a black and white project - although I have made some color photos it too. "
(photo by Tom Foley at Cafe in the Park)
Tom shared some of his most rewarding experiences as a photographer. One is that he looks forward to seeing his photos. Tom tells us "Whether it is looking on my computer, or on the view finder screen, or when the prints come back, or looking at slides, or looking at negatives - that initial view is probably still the biggest thrill for me. Some magic is still there. My father would always teach us that photography is the universal language. It enables you to communicate with people really anywhere throughout the world even if you don't share the language with them. "
When Tom was asked about the Maytag Memory Book he was involved with, he commented, " I was hired by Maytag to make pictures of all the various shifts and workers at Maytag. I started going out there every day, generally trying to get two different shifts."
Tom's outside interests include music, reading, swimming at the Y to stay in shape, playing catch with his son and throwing Frisbee. When he mentioned he swims at the Y, I couldn't help but linger back to the days at Y camp when he demonstrated his survival techniques. It was a pleasure to talk to him again after all of these years.
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Carl Sandburg with several children here in Galesburg.
Galesburg's police force pose for a photo in front of the police dept. behind city hall.
President Truman at a stop over
in Galesburg
President McKinley at the Carr house. It is said that the first cabinet meeting held outside of Washington was held here in Galesburg.
(the above photos came from the Galesburg public library archives)
Col. Carr with the future President Taft here in Galesburg.
Ice truck in front of Whiting Hall making deliveries.
William Jennings Bryant talking to a gathering of spectators at Knox College.
Galesburg's Fire dept with its horse drawn pump truck.
(the above photos came from the Galesburg public library archives)
Past And Present
A pictorial view of
The Galesburg Opera House as it was (above) and it stands today (below)
