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Julian Boulter
24-Jan-2010, 17:46
Went to see an exhibition in London this weekend as I heard there were some Ed Burtynsky prints there:
http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/gsk-contemporary-season-2009/

Went in there with a non photographer mate having just picked up some of my 10x8 contacts from Metro in London and he was interested in the format and the process, I took him to the book shop and he marvelled at the Burtynsky prints in the books on sale and wanted to know more about large format.

Then we attended the exhibition but it was disapointing to me at least as there were only 3 Burtynsky prints and there were a load of people in front of them attending a talk. I waited for the talk to end and it suddenly dawned on me that the man himself was there for the talk but I had missed it, had no idea that a talk was on the agenda, had only gone for the prints, in fact he was standing literally right in front of me!!

I couldnt resist asking him a few geeky questions mainly about the printing of the books by Stedil, I have always admired the quality of the printing and wanted to know if the plates were scans from contacts or negs. I found out he mainly shoots on 5x4 (occasionally 10x8) and he scans from the neg, (all C41 no E6). The print he was talking about in the exhibition was actually shot digitally, I think Hasselblad with 60 meg back but he said he used digital in this instance as it was an aerial shot which could not be achieved with large format.

I found him to be a very interesting guy, and he spoke to us literally for 20 mins and was in no rush to get away. How wonderful to meet someoune you admire who turns out to be a really nice bloke.

Julian

D. Bryant
24-Jan-2010, 20:27
How wonderful to meet someoune you admire who turns out to be a really nice bloke.

Julian

You might want ot watch "Manufactured Landscapes", if you haven't done so already.

Don Bryant

Dave Jeffery
25-Jan-2010, 02:53
Link
http://www.ted.com/talks/edward_burtynsky_on_manufactured_landscapes.html

bob carnie
25-Jan-2010, 07:11
Ed is a very down to earth, approachable guy , He started his lab Toronto Image Works so that he could control the look of his prints from beginning to end.
He is very active in Toronto promoting photography, and always has time to help other photographers with advice . He sits on the board of directors of the Toronto Contact Festival, which has grown tremendously over the years, and he is also always a willing particapant in charity auctions, by donating framed images.
His printing device of late is a 50inch Chromira RA4 output from files.
I have seen many of Ed's prints from his beginning day's to now and I have always admired his progress.

Darryl Baird
25-Jan-2010, 09:13
I had the chance to drive Ed to the Detroit airport after a conference in Flint (Michigan). I was hung over and hadn't slept a wink from the previous night's party and was afraid I'd fall asleep at the wheel! We talked the entire time while my wife (my usual second set of eyes when driving overly-tired) slept in the back seat... it was one of the most stimulating conversations I've ever had with a human being. Better than caffeine or any other stimulant. I have the highest regards for Burtynsky and his work.

r.e.
26-Jan-2010, 16:55
I went to the Royal Academy on Sunday to see the new van Gogh exhibit and while I was there found out about the exhibition (Earth) containing the Burtynsky prints. The exhibit also has a print by former LFPhoto participant Chris Jordan.

A few years ago, Burtynsky had a major show at the National Gallery of Canada, which he also attended for an escorted talk about his work. He was a pleasure to speak with, and said at the time (just before his project on China) that he was moving to 4x5, largely for logistical reasons. Now I gather that he is also using digital.

Regarding the Royal Academy show, I think that the non-photographic work was stronger than the photography. Also, the van Gogh exhibit (the most comprehensive of his work in London in the last 40 years) is wonderful.

The current show at the Victoria and Albert Museum on digital art, which includes some extremely interesting works that incorporate but go well beyond traditional photography in that they are highly interactive, was for me a revelation.

Ash
27-Jan-2010, 04:56
Ah man!!! I would have loved to meet the guy!

Manufactured Landscapes is a great film/documentary.

mortensen
27-Jan-2010, 10:59
How wonderful to meet someoune you admire who turns out to be a really nice bloke.

Julian

YES! couldn't agree more.