Edward Burtynsky

Edward Burtynsky is a Canadian photographer and artist known for his large format photographs of industrial landscapes. His works depict locations from around the world that represent the increasing development of industrialization and its impacts on nature and the human existence.

• 

• 

Edward Burtynsky is regarded as one of the world’s most accomplished contemporary photographers. His remarkable photographic depictions of global industrial landscapes represent over 40 years of his dedication to bearing witness to the impact of humans on the planet.

“We come from nature. There is an importance to [having] a certain reverence for what nature is because we are connected to it… If we destroy nature, we destroy ourselves.“
– Edward Burtynsky

Examples of Edwards work:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

George Marazakis

George Marazakis is an Anthropocene photographer who was inspired by Edward Burtynsky that has a very similar style of images compare Edward. Marazakis has a repetitive style of images by photographing locations that seem to be more dry and desolate.

Examples of George Marazakis work:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Artist comparison:

• 

• 

This is a comparison of two different Anthropocene artists, Edward Burtnsky and George Marazakis. I first noticed that both images are very similar, with both displaying what seems to be either a mine or a quarry. In Edwards image the tone of the land is noticeably more darker compared to which could be related to how the world is slowly becoming in danger. Both images seem to show the same amount of landscape with Georges including a little lake at the bottom of the mine.

To compare the two artists, Georges images display less colour and involve colours that are a lot more dull and boring. However Burtnskys images are all taken in different kinds of landscapes showing a lot of vibrant and also dull colours. Georges photos are mostly seen to be taken in desert landscapes without much man-made structures. Burtnsky is trying to show the impact of humans on the world by expressing his thoughts through photos of industrial landscapes.

Since the Industrial Revolution began, human activity has substantially changed the atmosphere. Carbon-dioxide levels are higher today than they have been in at least 800,000 years. The ocean’s pH is changing at an unprecedented rate, reaching levels of acidity that animals have not experienced in the last 20 million years. We are living in a time many people refer to as the Anthropocene. Humans have become the single most influential species on the planet, causing significant global warming and other changes to land, environment, water, organisms and the atmosphere. t is widely accepted that our species, has had such a significant impact on Earth and its inhabitants that we will have a lasting – and potentially irreversible – influence on its systems and environment

Photography is a great way to tackle the problem of Anthropocene, as with pictures you can easily and clearly display the impact our species has had on this planet better than using words. Photographs that portray Anthropocene is a great way to create awareness of the problem and create new solutions to tackle the problem as well as more people tackling the problem. Photographers have been working to spread the cause of tackling Anthropocene, one example of this is an exhibition known as “The World to Come: Art in the Age of the Anthropocene”, featuring 45 artists, many of them photographers, whose work addresses human impact on the environment. The exhibition title refers to the current geological era, named the Anthropocene because most scientists consider human activity to be the primary force behind rapid, changes to the earth’s climate and ecosystems.

Examples of Anthropocene photography

Ideas of photo locations for this topic

• Industrial sites
• Landfill sites / the dump
• Large landscapes such as the sand dunes
• Heavily littered areas
• heavily populated areas such as St. Helier

Ideas of different photography skills for this topic

• Abstract images
• Portraiture
• Landscape photography
• Identity based images
• Studio based images
• Photo-montaged images
• Object based images