Being inspired by nature in Canada, Ed is able to capture the dynamics of untouched nature, only formed by geological time. The combination of the human impacts that change the environment dramatically, and the mind thought of the scale of nature, produces photos that inspire and bring disbelief of the amount of power and mass modifications that humans are capable of. The pictures bring sobriety to the actual impacts our thirst less society, and how our landscapes are almost as breath taking as natures, except natures is not corrosive to the environment. Even with some pictures show destruction or pollution, Ed is able to bring a sense of forbidden pleasure to enjoy the beauty of something we would usually protest. The pictures not only focus on the downfalls of humanity, but also the reusing and recycling side, in a way like redemption. Highlighting that human process through industry has many sides, all worth looking at. Through the photos, time and effects can be measured. Good example of extreme modification of a landscape is the three gorges dam. It showed three uses of the same land within one culture, first as being nature, then being developed into cites, only to be disassembled and flooded for power generation. Landscapes within the grasp of humans seem to never be safe; enough people with determination can change anything. Not only modification to structures can be amazing. The presences of people themselves can create a landscape. Many people can create the feeling of warmth or confinement in a picture, whereas the absence of people in a desert can be portrayed as freedom or emptiness. Edward is able to show through his pictures that landscapes are only temporary event, always being changed, ether by natural or human influences.
I have seen his work personally at the ROA, when it was on display. The pictures of ordinarily dismissed objects had me in a trance for minutes at a time looking at the fine details that are usually quickly passed over. Images with such scale and presents allow the onlooker to become deeply connect with not only the photo, but what is creating the photo. Options are formed whether the scene is beautiful, or a tragedy because it ends up being the result of a toxic spill. Ed making the view really thinks about the impacts of current society, and the individual. I find his work amazing and enjoyable to constantly look upon.
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