Using a large-format viewfinder camera, with 4- by-5 inch and 8-by-10 inch film, Burtynsky creates remarkably lucid images. His prints immerse viewers in vibrant landscapes with a rich concentration of detail. Through a careful understanding of light and optics, he composes somewhat flattened spaces where each element within the frame is given equal weight. The effect can be slightly disorienting and the scale of the landscapes ambiguous. However, once you step closer and identify a recognizable detail—such as a tree or a person—you instantly reconstruct your understanding of the space. For Burtynsky these small details are essential as they lure us inside the image and allow us to imagine ourselves within the environment.

Before shooting, Burtynsky carries out thorough research on his locations. He reads extensively, studying everything from novels to government reports. Once he arrives, he works at dawn and dusk, which he describes as “the shoulder times.” Often, he shoots on overcast days. Relying on his surroundings, Burtynsky uses natural “scaffolding” to position his tripod at high vantage points. When working on his India series, he mounted his camera atop a 50-foot pole and worked remotely from a computer on ground level. Recently, while shooting his Australia series, Burtynsky began photographing with a digital camera from a helicopter. What results from such heights are compelling, vertiginous compositions with a monumental effect.