Interviews with Edward Burtynsky

A series of three interviews with Edward Burtynsky.


Exploring the Residual Landscape

“Nature transformed through industry is a predominant theme in my work. I set course to intersect with a contemporary view of the great ages of man; from stone, to minerals, oil, transportation, silicon, and so on. To make these ideas visible I search for subjects that are rich in detail and scale yet open in their meaning. Recycling yards, mine tailings, quarries, and refineries are all places that are outside of our normal experience, yet we partake of their output on a daily basis.

These images are meant as metaphors to the dilemma of our modern existence; they search for a dialogue between attraction and repulsion, seduction and fear. We are drawn by desire – a chance at good living, yet we are consciously or unconsciously aware that the world is suffering for our success. Our dependence on nature to provide the materials for our consumption and our concern for the health of our planet sets us into an uneasy contradiction. For me, these images function as reflecting pools of our times.”

Edward Burtynsky

Avatar photo

Photography is my passion and has been for 45 plus years. My career in photography has allowed me to travel the world, meet some of the most interesting people on the planet and see things I could never have dreamed of. My goal is to share the passion of pictures taking through photographs and teaching with as many people as I can hoping it brings them as much joy and happiness as it has me. I do this through Rockhopper Workshops and other projects as well as teaching at my Gallery in Indianapolis.

You May Also Enjoy...

The Leica Story

January 6, 2018 ·

Christopher Sanderson

A series of interviews and documentary videos created in a week’s long visit to Leica Camera in Wetzlar, Germany


Interviews with Edward Burtynsky

July 5, 2017 ·

Christopher Sanderson

A series of three interviews with Edward Burtynsky. Exploring the Residual Landscape “Nature transformed through industry is a predominant theme in my work. I set