Edward Burtynsky exhibition in Montreal

[Michael R]

If you’re in the area.

I kind of lost track of his stuff over the years… just heard a radio interview with him about this exhibit - I didn’t even know/remember he had gone all digital a while ago, but he was also talking about some new type of digital process he’s using now for certain things, a kind of “augmented reality”, hyper detailed process/presentation involving thousands of images of a thing which are then combined in software. It sounded like some sort of variation on 3D mapping/rendering but I don’t really know what it is.

This exhibition appears to incorporate so-called “immersive” experiences. I don’t know if that really interests me. It seems to be a trend lately, presumably to get more people interested in art or music, but to me the art should be enough. Anyway.

https://www.arsenalcontemporary.com/...ait?format=amp

[Drew Wiley]

Stitched imagery leaves me cold. But it's a way to get high cumulative detail out of a still comparatively small sensor. And "Immersive experiences" are going on all around. You can even visit the inside of King Tut's tomb, or see a whole sequence of virtual Van Gogh paintings (and exactly zero real ones). But you'll never find me spending even a dime on those kind of tickets.

[bob carnie]

I just saw an opening of a new Gallery in Toronto called Beau Xi, they have locations in numerous locations. There was a 74 inch x 94 inch Lambda C print mounted on dibond , no protection with glass selling for 44,000 . I have moved away from producing big colour prints other then 30 x 40 gums over palladium and 30 x 40 silvers. This print completely stopped me in my tracks, at first glance at viewing distance I assumed it was a phase one single capture , but when I moved closer and closer and closer the details in areas that were at least 50ft from the camera position were detailed and sharp , I then concluded it had to be a three scan multiple focus strip job which I have seen, But after viewing the whole show I went back to this image with a friend and as we looked further away we could see patterns in the print as if it was a montage, and with viewing could see definite non linear stitch lines. The focus was super sharp and contemplating this image more I have come to the conclusion it as a combination of hundreds of Phase one long lens images then put in some kind of AI generator which then stitched it back to a single monster file for printing. I am not against this kind of photography in any way and I think they used a large sensor with long lens to capture the quality. I am going back to the gallery (not to buy) but rather take down the name of the photographer and research as this was one very interesting application of lens, focus , sensor and combination printing..... If you think of the early days of Jerry Uelsmann his work was considered by many as fluff but now highly regarded.

I think a lot of these big colour shooters like Ed Burtynsky are doing this where they stack focus, and blend as Michael explains. I see some applications where one collages a lot of images to tell a story but for now I am still a single capture and print type of guy.

[Drew Wiley]

All kinds of people have mimicked Uelsmann via computer, and as the genre was simplified and popularized, collapsed his print prices; but still, not the same. Uelsmann wannabees are just that, and not the real deal. The finesse is missing. He did it by hand almost seamlessly, and it had a quirky poetic feel. Can't say the same about any of the attempted clones if ever seen.

[Fred L]

there was a time when some people/orgs were doing giga whatever it's called. allowed one to zoom in incredibly close with no loss of detail/resolution. no idea if it's still a thing but it was pretty jaw dropping at the time.

[Michael R]

Focus stacking etc. etc. is not what I think Burtynsky was talking about in the interview. He was referring to some newer technique. It wasn't just about detail. Maybe I'll go to the exhibit.

[bob carnie]

Ed is always working on new things, hard to keep up with him. I have not seen any of his new work for awhile, the last show at the AGO was too colourful editing for me , the work he did in China was outstanding and of course his early work steller.

[Michael R]

Same here - I was a big fan of the earlier stuff but sort of lost track and am not up to speed on his latest projects - though as you note I'm sure whatever tech he's currently using is pretty cutting edge/sophisticated. He's got the resources, and he's no hack.

I'm curious enough that I'll probably check out the exhibit here and report back in this thread.

Ed is always working on new things, hard to keep up with him. I have not seen any of his new work for awhile, the last show at the AGO was too colourful editing for me , the work he did in China was outstanding and of course his early work steller.

[bob carnie]

Same here - I was a big fan of the earlier stuff but sort of lost track and am not up to speed on his latest projects - though as you note I'm sure whatever tech he's currently using is pretty cutting edge/sophisticated. He's got the resources, and he's no hack.

I'm curious enough that I'll probably check out the exhibit here and report back in this thread.

I would be interested in hearing your thoughts