My 10 favorite fine art photographers

Photography, as an art form, has the power to transcend reality, providing us with a lens through which we can explore the depths of human experience, culture, and the natural world.

Among the many talented photographers, ten have significantly influenced my perspective on art and life. Here are my top ten favorite art photographers, each with a unique vision and contribution to the field.

Hiroshi Sugimoto

I absolutely adore Hiroshi Sugimoto's "Theatres" series. His work spans various genres, from seascapes to architectural photography. His images are characterized by their minimalist aesthetic and meditative quality. Sugimoto's "Theatres" series, which captures old movie theaters with long exposure times, and his "Seascapes" series, depicting the horizon line between sea and sky, are particularly notable for their serene and timeless beauty.

Hiroshi Sugimoto Theaters

Sugimoto’s Seascapes

Thomas Struth

Thomas Struth is renowned for his large-format photographs of urban scenes, family portraits, and museum interiors. His work often explores the relationship between people and their environments, capturing the intricate details of everyday life. I highly recommend checking out his book "Unconscious Places." I was fortunate enough to see his retrospective at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, where I was mesmerized by a collection of his massive prints.

Crosby Street New York/Soho, from Struth’s first series in 1978

Pantheon, Rome, 1990

Edward Burtynsky

Edward Burtynsky is a master of capturing the impact of industrialization on the environment. His large-scale photographs of landscapes altered by human activity, such as quarries, oil fields, and mines, are both beautiful and disturbing. I discovered his work through his "Manufactured Landscapes" series and have loved his work ever since. Burtynsky's images highlight the paradox of our reliance on natural resources and the environmental degradation that results from their extraction.

Shipbreaking #49, Chittagong, Bangladesh 2001

Nanpu Bridge Interchange, Shanghai, China, 2004

Michael Wolf

Michael Wolf's photography often focuses on the dense urban environments of cities like Hong Kong and Tokyo. His series "Architecture of Density" presents a striking view of high-rise buildings, emphasizing the claustrophobic nature of modern urban life. Wolf's work is a visual exploration of how people adapt to living in increasingly crowded and impersonal spaces. "Architecture of Density" is my favorite series by Wolf, showcasing his ability to capture the essence of urban life.

Architecture of Density #101, 2008

Architecture of Density #12, 2003

Gabriele Basilico

Gabriele Basilico's black-and-white photographs capture the essence of urban and industrial landscapes. His images often depict the transformation of cities, documenting their evolution and the traces of history within their architecture. Basilico's work is marked by a deep appreciation for the built environment and its role in shaping human experience. I particularly love his series "Entropy of Urban Spaces," which explores the dynamic and often chaotic nature of cities.

Gabriele Basilico, La Défense, Paris, 1997

Beyrouth, 1991

Gregory Crewdson

Gregory Crewdson is known for his elaborately staged, surreal photographs that often resemble film stills. His work explores the eerie and unsettling aspects of suburban life, creating narratives that are both fantastical and disturbingly real. I am fascinated by all of Crewdson's work, but "Beneath the Roses" stands out as a remarkable series. I highly recommend watching the documentary "Brief Encounters" to gain deeper insight into his meticulous creative process.

Beneath the Roses, Plate 41

Beneath the Roses, Plate 22

Stephen Shore

Stephen Shore's pioneering use of color photography has made him a significant figure in contemporary art. His work captures the mundane moments of American life with a sense of beauty and significance. Shore's images often depict the quiet, overlooked details of everyday scenes, transforming them into works of art through his keen eye for composition and color. "Uncommon Places" is a personal favorite, showcasing his talent for finding beauty in the ordinary.

Holden Street, North Adams, Massachusetts, 1974

Second Street, Ashland, Wisconsin, 1973

Joel Sternfeld

Joel Sternfeld's documentary-style photography combines social commentary with a poetic vision of American life. His series "American Prospects" is a seminal work that presents a nuanced portrait of the United States, capturing the country's landscapes, people, and peculiarities. Sternfeld's ability to find meaning in the ordinary makes his work profoundly engaging. "American Prospects" is a must-see series for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of American culture.

The High Line, New York, 2000

The Space Shuttle Columbia Lands at Kelly Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, March 1979

Mitch Epstein

Mitch Epstein's photography addresses themes of family, society, and the environment. His work often explores the intersection of personal and collective histories, revealing the complexities of contemporary life. My favorite Epstein's series "American Power" examines the relationship between energy production and consumption in the United States, highlighting the environmental and social implications of our dependence on energy.

Lycée de Poca et centrale thermique d'Amos, Virginie Occidentale, 2004

Raffinerie BP à Carson, Californie, 2007

Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre

The photographic duo Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre are best known for their work documenting urban decay. Their series "The Ruins of Detroit" captures the haunting beauty of abandoned buildings, offering a poignant commentary on the decline of once-thriving industrial cities. Their images evoke a sense of nostalgia and loss, prompting reflection on the passage of time and the impermanence of human achievement.

Adam Osser Textile Factory, Lodz, Poland (2012)

As an architectural photographer, it is no coincidence that many of my favorite photographers focus on "places" — a theme that is often reflected in the titles of their series.

Whether it's Sugimoto's theaters, Struth's unconscious places, or Shore's uncommon places, each artist offers a unique exploration of the spaces we inhabit.

This fascination with places aligns with my own passion for capturing the essence of architecture and the environments we create.