Matthew Botos

Netflix picked a perfect movie for me last night: Manufactured Landscapes, a documentary showcasing the photography of Edward Burtynsky as he captures the effects of industrial man on the world and China in particular. As a photographer, it’s great inspiration, especially since I’ve been more absorbed with gear than shooting recently.

While Burtynsky avoids taking sides on the environmental and globalization issues his camera sees, his photos definitely make you think about the environmental damage being concentrated in certain parts of the world. Watching the photographic process behind the scenes, you also see how China and its companies want to project an image of industrial sophistication while still resiting publication of the resulting blemishes. A great subtitle comes across the screen during one of these debates with his between his translator and hosts: “but through his camera, it will look beautiful”.

Another thing that spoke to me personally was how he focused on a unifying theme in his work over the course of decades. I haven’t found one of my own yet since I’m still trying to cover a wide spectrum of photographic learning. Though I’d like to trust that like Burtynsky taking a wrong turn and stumbling onto an abandoned mine, a theme will find me when the time is right.