Heroes of Canadian Photography

antiquark said:
My original post was from pondering why Canada doesn't have much of a "camera culture."

It seems like other countries have photographers who are almost household names, like Ansel Adams for example.

I was mainly wondering if there are Canadian photographers who are (or should be) household names. That's all.
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I'll add one more, Roberta Bondar. I'm not a fan of her work but she's a very accomplished landscape photographer. She also 'contributes' a lot in the form of public speaking and chairing various charitable organizations.
 
Dante said:
Ed Burtynsky gets my vote. I was introduced to his work by a professor who happens to be Burtynsky's best friend. My independent study professor put together this huge traveling exhibit and Burtynsky was one of the photographers with work in the show.

I was working for the school's paper and, after being given a preview of the show, interviewed my professor (actually it was prior to him being my professor) and a few of the students who were working on the show. I was blown away by Burtynsky's work and ended up writing a couple articles about the show. It wasn't until Burtynsky came to speak that I found out they were best friends. His work is impeccable and inspiring and ... on a side note ... he's a really nice guy.
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Wow I am impressed. He is all about industial landscapes. What a study. The guy travelled the world photographing mine sites, road cuts, quarries, oil fields, ship yard etc.. Great work. Great effort. I can appreciate that.

Check out his website: http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/
 
Tom Abrahamsson...

sorry, yes, Tom is Sweedish but Canada is his adopted country... a bit like me and the Philippines...
 
taylan said:
i am occasionally hearing questions or chats about the nationalities of photographers. i could not figure out why people are mentioning about the nationality of any photographer. why is it important?
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This should be discussed in a separate thread as a philisophical debate around Aesthetics.

But, I will say this:

It is natural for the nationality(I suggest using the word citizenship) of a photographer to be discussed. Back to Ansel Adams for example. He was an American photographer who was well known for his work in the Amercan West. He is an american hero of photography. He plays a big part in the history of american photography. He is not French, he is not German la la la. He is American. He lived it, loved it, his art portrays that.
Nationality comes into play when you look at the life of a photographer. If they are born and raised in the region, they know better than anyone the lay of the land, the light, the skies, the natural beauty. They know where to go and when to go to capture the beauty. It is a LIFETIME of work to do what he did. One can not be parachuted in to do what he did. The fact that he is American and his works are of the American West tells a story and is part of what makes him famous. I'm sorry, but a French tourist(for example) producing the same work would not get the same attention.

This is all part Aesthetics and Aesthetic judgement. Which, in fact takes into concideration the experiences and pleasures. When I look at a photo or painting or any art, especially a series of works, I always concider the life and experience of the artist. Who doesn't?

You should substitute citizenship for nationality when we are talking about where an individual is from. Nationality imposes ethnic and political issues. Citizenship is simply where someone is from.
 
Jan has already mentioned Freeman Patterson. I have a number of his wonderful books, but also an anecdote from many years ago. I was on a plane to the maritimes and the chap sitting next to me turned out to be a photographer. Although I didn't know it at the time I'm pretty sure he was FP. Well, I was young and naive at the time and ended up mentioning the "sharpness" word. He pulled out a magazine and we looked at quite a few photos, none of which were too sharp but all made great statements. I never forgot that lesson.

Steve
 
Vince Lupo said:
I'd say Dave Heath, but he was born in Philadelphia (though he's been living in Toronto for the last 40+ years). Some of his work: http://www.bulgergallery.com/dynamic/fr_artist.asp?ArtistID=4

For me one of the best Canadian photographers is Paul Watson - he did that Pulitzer prize winning shot of the dead American soldier in Mogadishu.
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I just flipped thru Heath's work at the Bulger Gallery site. They are one of the better photographic galleries in Toronto. Unfortunately the site doesn't really show the work well, the images are about 3"x5" and don't yield enough of his interesting details. Them's the 'pluses and minuses' of the internet. I see his work but not well. Thanks for the heads up. I'll see if I can track him down at the library
 
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SteveM said:
Jan has already mentioned Freeman Patterson. I have a number of his wonderful books, but also an anecdote from many years ago. I was on a plane to the maritimes and the chap sitting next to me turned out to be a photographer. Although I didn't know it at the time I'm pretty sure he was FP. Well, I was young and naive at the time and ended up mentioning the "sharpness" word. He pulled out a magazine and we looked at quite a few photos, none of which were too sharp but all made great statements. I never forgot that lesson.

Steve
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Steve, Freeman is a family friend for over 30 years. Haven't seen him recently but he's medium build about 5'10", fair hair, slightly thinning, wears gold rimmed glasses and a very easygoing demeanour. He lives outside St John NB
 
jan normandale said:
I just flipped thru Watson's work at the Bulger Gallery site. They are one of the better photographic galleries in Toronto. Unfortunately the site doesn't really show the work well, the images are about 3"x5" and don't yield enough of his interesting details. Them's the 'pluses and minuses' of the internet. I see his work but not well. Thanks for the heads up. I'll see if I can track him down at the library
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I'm assuming you mean Dave's work on Steve Bulger's gallery website?

Here's another link to some of Dave's work. I was fortunate to have had him as a teacher at Ryerson in Toronto: http://www.geh.org/ne/mismi2/heath_sum00001.html

Dave's photo 'Vengeful Sister' is probably his best known shot:
http://www.geh.org/taschen/m198003660001.jpg
 
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Vince Lupo said:
I'm assuming you mean Dave's work on Steve Bulger's gallery website?

Here's another link to some of Dave's work. I was fortunate to have had him as a teacher at Ryerson in Toronto: http://www.geh.org/ne/mismi2/heath_sum00001.html

Dave's photo 'Vengeful Sister' is probably his best known shot:
http://www.geh.org/taschen/m198003660001.jpg
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thanks Vince I did mean Heath... that was an error on my part and I corrected the typo. I was at Ryerson during the early 70's .. small world. It must have been pretty amazing to have him as a teacher. Lucky you!!
 
Oh yes, it was a rare treat. He was very tough and definitely cut through the crap, which helped the students' work in the long run (for those of us who paid attention!).

I was class of '94 from the Still Photography program (now called Image Arts). I think '94 was one of the last classes to get Bachelor of Applied Arts degrees (now it's a BFA). Steve Bulger (Bulger Gallery) was a year ahead of me.
 
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