Edward Burtynsky
Edward Burtynsky was born February 22, 1955. He 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. It is most often connected to the philosophical concept of the sublime, though they are equally disturbing in the way they reveal the context of rapid industrialization. He is an advocate for environmental conservationism and his work is deeply entwined in his advocacy, which often comments on the scars left by industrial capitalism while establishing an aesthetic for environmental devastation.
He often positions himself at high-vantage points over the landscape using elevated platforms. Burtynsky describes the act of taking a photograph in terms of “The Contemplated Moment”. He currently uses a high-resolution digital medium format camera and his photographic style is often characterized by the sublime nature of the scale of his photographs. His large-format view camera depicts humanity’s scarring on the landscapes he makes his subject, with “astonishing color and relentless detail”, always focusing on the consequences of global consumerism.
Burtynsky’s photography places the viewer in a state of non-intervention with the environments depicted. While the viewer witnesses the consequences of radicalized consumerism, the viewer is left to quietly contemplate its political articulation: neither a condemnation nor a celebration of the subject matter, simply an acknowledgement of its existence.
Why have you chosen this artist?
I chose this artist as looking at his work, you immediately see the damage done to the world. While i know this was his aim, it makes you reflect on any past behaviors that would of aided in creating these images.
What interest you about their work?
I am interested by the the mix of beauty and pity captured in his work. On one hand, the scenery on majority of his photos are stunning but the pity we feel towards the land contrasts greatly.
How does the work relate to the theme of Anthropocene?
His work relates to Anthropocene as he captures the industrial takeover of nature.
What are you going to do as a response to their work?
In response, I would like to take some similar photos by finding areas that combine man made structures and nature.
George Marazakis
George Marazakis is Greek photographer who takes Anthropocene photographs, as a concept and title for a series that looks at a new time periods engendered by the greed of mankind. This includes the planet, plastic pollution, and power stations. Anthropocene is an era in which human activity is the dominant influence on both climate and environment.
Why have you chosen this artist?
I chose this artist as I feel he has an interesting take on the world around us. His images show us how we effect our earth, whether that’s through paving paths or constructing buildings.
What interest you about their work?
His work interests me as he shows us the negative side to how we live, however, he also shows us the beauty. This makes sure we get a clear perspective from seeing both the good and the bad.
How does the work relate to the theme of Anthropocene?
His work relates to Anthropocene since he shows the effects that humans have on the world.
What are you going to do as a response to their work?
If I were to respond to his work, I would most likely try to photograph roads and pathways around nature, as I feel that this would relate to some of his work.
Artist comparison
I have chosen to do some work in the style of George Marazaki’s. I chose him since I think he shows different areas of Anthropocene that may not normally be shown.
Image 1:
In my image, I tried to replicate the cool tones of Marazaki’s image by lowering the temperature and increasing the exposure.
Image 2:
I felt that the amount of nature in my image related to nature surrounding the industrial area in Marazaki’s image as the modern house is being surrounded by the wilderness.