New topographics was described as ‘a ground breaking exhibition of contemporary landscape photography’.

William Jenkins selected eight young American photographers:

Robert Adams, Lewis Baltz, Joe Deal, Frank Gohlke, Nicholas Nixon, John Schott, Stephen Shore, and Henry Wessel, Jr. He also invited the German couple, Bernd and Hilla Becher.

The exhibition was recreated in various locations: such as Bristol, Tucson, Rochester, New York, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Nederland’s and Spain.

Although the eight photographers included in the original exhibition make up the core of the New Topographics school, photographers such as Laurie Brown have been tied to the school.

The purpose

New topographics was a reaction to the ongoing expansion and growth of suburban areas due to the soldiers returning from war and therefore there was a need for more space for them and their growing families. This meant people were moved to these new suburbs that were located in the middle of know where which were very isolating and lonely as many people left their friends and families. The movement showed a more realistic demonstration of American landscapes by showing the industrialised and suburbanised landscapes rather than just the ethereal nature landscapes.