New Topographics is photographing a man-altered landscape that contrasts modern development with natural landscapes. This type of photography gives an insight as to how man-made developments were taking over nature. Unlike Ansel Adams, it shows the truth behind this issue and shows it how it is.

Robert Adams

Robert Adams was known for using the style of New Topographics in the 1970s, after releasing his book The New West and his participation in the exhibition New Topographics. He mainly photographs in California, Colorado and Oregon, where he captured his vision that was created by his joy for natures beauty. However he noticed this was exploited by the urban and industrial growth that had ruined it, and he managed to capture this in a simple yet effective way.

What was the new topographics a reaction to?

It was a reaction to the natural landscape being eroded by industrial development. The photographers at the time wanted to raise awareness and rebel against this development. This caused the idea of new topographics photography to come about, and photographs were taken that are now well known and honoured.

An example of a photographer who did this is

Stephan Shore

Analysis