Edward Burtynsky

The explanation of how he transformed from taking "calendar" type pictures of rebirth and nature, to the photographs of corporation and industrialism was fascinating.  The dramatic shift to such an incredible cause makes his photography more emotional to those who see it.  I particularly liked the photograph of what looked like a red river in a land of black, because it brought out emotions of concern within me.  How much do corporations and industry damage our earth?  In viewing his pictures and listening to his stories for each, I can see the massive destruction that results from this modern lifestyle.  Recycling is on a much larger scale then we typically think in our everyday lives.  The fumes and toxins that result from melting metals within recycled computers is tragic and yet people in other countries are forced to do work like this to survive.  Burtynsky's photography was a bit overwhelming but an incredible eye-opener.  The growth of cities and the building of skyscrapers makes me question if this is the world we want to live in.  Putting people out of their homes into city buildings that are exhausting of our earth's natural materials is difficult to think about.  As Burtynsky mentioned, each room in a skyscraper has it's own air conditioning unit.  The amount of energy that is needed for a large city to supply air conditioning to its individuals is incredible.  I agree with the notion that there must be a better way to do this.  The images brought on concern for where our world is heading and I question where we will be even a few more years from now, with the intense level of growth that is occurring.