Edward Burtynsky: Oil Hardcover – October 31, 2009

Astonishing photos. I have seen his work in galleries on a massive scale, and I wanted to have one of his books. This was a very good choice. Nothing replaces the experience of seeing his photos 6 feet wide, though.

Edward Burtynsky has been presenting us with beautiful photographs of things, rather than photographs of beautiful things for many years. This collection, which focuses on oil from extraction, to transportation, storage, use, and aftermath has a gorgeous collection of photographs. They are meticulously structured, framed, and exposed. Each photograph is beautiful to look at even though the subject under the skin may not be "beautiful". I was lucky enough to catch this exhibit in London in June; the actual prints are even more striking with their large format print and wonderful quality. The book, although of very high quality, is a little "dimmer" than the prints.The photographs do not have accompanying titles which are provided at the end of the book. I appreciate the idea of not invading the photographic space but I wish the title index were an insert that I could pull out rather than going back and forth between the photographs and their titles when I want to know them.He has delivered a very strong message to all the viewers, that we are addicted to oil with all the side effects, using visual artistry that has become his signature style. Highly recommend the book.

This book is quite something. I am not that familiar with the list of photography books that might aspire to accomplish so much, but I certainly know of no other book that can change one's view of the world. "Oil" is a comprehensive visual indictment of the way we live as fueled by oil. The scope of the photographs is amazing and the cumulative effect is immensely powerful. It connects things - producton, distribution by ship and truck, the visual culture that cheap oil and the automobile created, and all the resulting waste. Tire waste, petroleum waste - waste, waste and more waste. Even the often gleaming infastructure - the pipelines and the highways - to support it all is both awesome and depressing. The book forces you to ask "what have we done?" And if you do not look away, you know what the answer is - "gigantic, gargantuan damage that is unlikely to be recovered from - ever."

The media could not be loaded. A story of Oil. Of profit motives, and world wide reach. Of car cultures, suburban paradises and of wastelands created to support them. Of pushing mountains to the side, and moving oceans of oil over oceans of water, and the ships that died after decades of service. And the people at the end of our world.Fantastic book.

As well as his other book, this one dedicated to oil and all associated with oil (extraction, vehicles, production, factories, tracks etc). High quality big book. Like it.Edward, many respects from Maxim Dupliy, inspired photographer.

A homage to everything we've known for so long, a memorial to our fossil-fueled worlds ... leaving a sour taste, that our chances of making things up probably have vanished, as have his many landscapes photographed in other series. Worth every single Euro I paid for it!

beautiful collection of photographs of Burtynsky in a very impressive book. Good print quality, heavy weight paper, including a essay on the oil issue.

Excellent booked - since it is big and heavy it should be packed well Unfortunately slightly damaged on the corners