aka ode to burtynsky.

edward burtynsky is one of my favorite photographers. he has a rare skill in that he can take the confusion of a horribly busy, often man-made scene, and calm it down though his use of composition. (stephen shore has famously done so as well on a street corner in LA) i’ve seen many photographs of chaotic scenes of nature, but no photographer has the ability to make sense of the chaos as often and predictably as burtynsky. not only does he have this rare skill as a photographer, but he’s also done a full-blown project on oil and the human use of it, drilling for and transport of oil.

my intent was not to copy burtynsky in this image, but rather to capture what has become a far-too-familiar site for those of us living in the west: a creamsicle-colored sunset through the haze of wildfires. but i wanted to do more than merely capture that altogether familiar color of sky as is often done by photographers in the west. so i composed it such that the setting sun is above an oii processing plant. not only do many experts agree about the contribution of fossil fuels to the climate change we’re experiencing, and the effects of said climate change such as longer, more severe wildfire seasons in the western US and other parts of the world, but this particular oil processing plant recently paid $9 million USD due to its pollution of the air in the community surrounding it. most recently, it’s being accused of potentially polluting the community’s water as well.

now, i know what some of you are thinking…

he’d certainly be singing a different tune if he were paying $5 USD for a gallon of gas for his car.

the truth is i pay a carbon offset each year to compensate for my carbon footprint. i use tools to calculate my footprint and make donations to companies that specialize in offsetting carbon footprints. i also pay extra on my utility bill each month to ensure as much of my energy use at home is from renewable energies. and i will gladly pay $5 USD per gallon or more for a gallon of gas, if it meant that my great nephews’ and nieces’ children would be guaranteed to see nature as i have. i’m in a fortunate situation such that i can afford to do these things, and i understand many cannot. but i also know there are many others in situations similar to me who choose not to out of a matter of inconvenience. and i find that sad.

that is the reason i will occasionally include an image that may not show the beauty of nature as i experience it, but hopefully make a point with the image.