Edward Burtynsky

Edward Burtynsky, a Canadian photographer and artist, is renowned for his large-format photographs of industrial landscapes. His unique approach involves capturing images from high vantage points using elevated platforms, drones, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft. His work, including notable collections such as "Manufactured Landscapes," focuses on the consequences of global consumerism and the transformation of nature into industrial landscapes. His photographic series covers an array of subjects such as mines, quarries, metal recycling, oil, shipbreaking, and water, often highlighting the effects of Western consumerism on China's industrialization and other locations worldwide.

In addition to his photography, Burtynsky established Toronto Image Works, a commercial photography lab and gallery space. He has also been the subject of the documentary film "Manufactured Landscapes" and co-directed the documentary film "Watermark." Furthermore, Burtynsky is a part of the Anthropocene Project, a collaborative initiative that combines art, film, virtual reality, augmented reality, and scientific research to investigate human influence on the Earth. This project includes the documentary film "Anthropocene: The Human Epoch," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and won the Rogers Best Canadian Film Award.

Burtynsky's work has garnered numerous recognitions; he is an Officer of the Order of Canada, a recipient of the Geological Society of America President's Medal, and has won significant awards for his documentaries. He was named a Master of Photography by Photo London in 2018 and received the Peace Patron Award from The Mosaic Institute the same year. More recently, Burtynsky was honored with the Outstanding Contribution to Photography award at the 2022 Sony World Photography Awards and was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. His work is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Canada, and he continues to be an influential figure in the field of photography.