7.5 New Topographics movement
9 min read•august 21, 2024
The movement emerged in the 1970s, challenging traditional landscape photography. It focused on documenting the intersection of natural and built environments, shifting from idealized depictions to a more objective approach. Photographers like and captured suburban sprawl and industrial development.
This movement reflected growing concerns about land use and human impact on nature. It coincided with the rise of and responded to post-World War II changes in the American landscape, including highway expansion and suburban growth. The New Topographics redefined landscape photography for the late 20th century.
Origins of New Topographics
- New Topographics emerged in the 1970s as a significant movement in the History of Photography, challenging traditional landscape representations
- Photographers sought to document the changing American landscape, focusing on the intersection of natural and built environments
- This movement marked a shift from idealized depictions to a more objective, detached approach in landscape photography
Influences from earlier photographers
Top images from around the web for Influences from earlier photographers
Walker Evans’s Havana, through an Architect’s Lens | Getty Iris View original
Is this image relevant?
VIDEO: Streets of Los Angeles by Artist Ed Ruscha, Recipient of the 2019 Getty Medal | Getty Iris View original
Is this image relevant?
Absence of Style: Lewis Baltz and the New Topographics – SOCKS View original
Is this image relevant?
Walker Evans’s Havana, through an Architect’s Lens | Getty Iris View original
Is this image relevant?
VIDEO: Streets of Los Angeles by Artist Ed Ruscha, Recipient of the 2019 Getty Medal | Getty Iris View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Influences from earlier photographers
Walker Evans’s Havana, through an Architect’s Lens | Getty Iris View original
Is this image relevant?
VIDEO: Streets of Los Angeles by Artist Ed Ruscha, Recipient of the 2019 Getty Medal | Getty Iris View original
Is this image relevant?
Absence of Style: Lewis Baltz and the New Topographics – SOCKS View original
Is this image relevant?
Walker Evans’s Havana, through an Architect’s Lens | Getty Iris View original
Is this image relevant?
VIDEO: Streets of Los Angeles by Artist Ed Ruscha, Recipient of the 2019 Getty Medal | Getty Iris View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- ' documentary style informed the New Topographics' straightforward approach
- 's precise compositions and attention to form influenced the movement's aesthetic
- 's systematic documentation of Paris streets provided a model for urban landscape photography
- Influenced by 's conceptual photo books (Twentysix Gasoline Stations)
Reaction to romanticized landscapes
- Rejected the sublime and picturesque traditions popularized by Ansel Adams and others
- Focused on ordinary, often overlooked aspects of the contemporary landscape
- Aimed to present a more realistic view of the American environment, including suburban sprawl and industrial development
- Challenged viewers to reconsider their relationship with the built environment
Social and cultural context
- Emerged during a period of rapid and environmental awareness
- Reflected growing concerns about land use and the impact of human activity on nature
- Coincided with the rise of conceptual art and in the broader art world
- Responded to the changing American landscape in the post-World War II era, including:
- Expansion of highway systems
- Growth of suburban developments
- Proliferation of shopping centers and parking lots
Key photographers and works
- New Topographics photographers shared a common approach to documenting the landscape
- Their work collectively redefined the genre of landscape photography in the late 20th century
- These photographers' images often focused on the mundane and overlooked aspects of the built environment
Robert Adams
- Photographed the changing landscape of the American West, particularly Colorado
- Notable works include "The New West" and "denver: A Photographic Survey of the Metropolitan Area"
- Captured the tension between natural beauty and suburban development
- Adams' images often featured:
- Tract houses
- Shopping centers
- Barren landscapes altered by human intervention
Lewis Baltz
- Focused on the industrial landscapes of Southern California and Nevada
- Known for his minimalist aesthetic and geometric compositions
- Key works include "The New Industrial Parks near Irvine, California" and "Park City"
- Baltz's photographs often depicted:
- Warehouses and office parks
- Construction sites
- Stark, featureless building facades
Bernd and Hilla Becher
- German photographers known for their systematic documentation of industrial structures
- Created typologies of water towers, grain elevators, and other industrial architecture
- Influenced a generation of German photographers, including and
- The Bechers' work featured:
- Black and white images
- Frontal, centered compositions
- Consistent lighting and framing across series
Stephen Shore
- Pioneered the use of color in art photography during the New Topographics movement
- Documented the American vernacular landscape through road trips
- Notable works include "Uncommon Places" and "American Surfaces"
- Shore's photographs often captured:
- Roadside motels and diners
- Small town main streets
- Intersections and parking lots
Aesthetic characteristics
- New Topographics established a distinct visual language in landscape photography
- The movement's aesthetic approach influenced subsequent generations of photographers
- These characteristics defined a new way of seeing and representing the built environment
Deadpan style
- Adopted a neutral, seemingly objective approach to subject matter
- Avoided dramatic lighting or compositional effects
- Emphasized straightforward, frontal views of subjects
- Aimed for a sense of emotional detachment in the images
Man-altered landscapes
- Focused on areas where human intervention met natural environments
- Documented the expansion of suburbs, industrial zones, and infrastructure
- Highlighted the transformation of the American landscape through:
- Resource extraction sites
Absence of human figures
- Generally excluded people from the frame, emphasizing the built environment
- Created a sense of emptiness or abandonment in many images
- Allowed viewers to focus on the structures and spaces themselves
- Implied human presence through the visible impact on the landscape
Emphasis on banal subjects
- Turned attention to overlooked, everyday aspects of the built environment
- Elevated mundane scenes to subjects worthy of artistic consideration
- Focused on subjects such as:
- Parking lots
- Suburban houses
- Strip malls
- Industrial buildings
Technical approaches
- New Topographics photographers employed specific technical methods to achieve their aesthetic goals
- These approaches contributed to the movement's distinctive visual style
- Technical choices reflected the photographers' desire for clarity and objectivity in their images
Use of large format cameras
- Many New Topographics photographers favored for their work
- Large format allowed for:
- Exceptional detail and sharpness
- Greater control over perspective and depth of field
- The ability to make large prints with high resolution
- Photographers often used view cameras (4x5 or 8x10 inch formats)
Black and white vs color
- Both monochrome and were used in the New Topographics movement
- :
- Emphasized form and texture
- Created a sense of timelessness
- Used by photographers like Lewis Baltz and the Bechers
- Color photography:
- Introduced by and William Eggleston
- Captured the vibrancy of the American vernacular landscape
- Challenged the dominance of black and white in art photography
Compositional strategies
- Employed formal, often symmetrical compositions
- Used the frame to isolate and emphasize specific elements of the landscape
- Frequently incorporated:
- Strong horizontal and vertical lines
- Geometric shapes found in architecture and infrastructure
- Repetitive patterns in suburban developments or industrial structures
- Avoided dramatic angles or experimental techniques, favoring straightforward views
Theoretical underpinnings
- New Topographics was grounded in broader artistic and cultural theories of the time
- The movement engaged with contemporary debates in art, photography, and environmental studies
- These theoretical foundations helped shape the photographers' approach and reception of their work
Critique of modernism
- Challenged modernist ideals of progress and utopian visions
- Questioned the impact of rapid urban development and industrialization
- Reflected a growing disillusionment with modernist architecture and urban planning
- Engaged with postmodern ideas about representation and meaning in art
Relationship to conceptual art
- Shared conceptual art's emphasis on ideas over traditional notions of artistic skill
- Employed systematic approaches to image-making, similar to conceptual art practices
- Explored the nature of photographic representation and its relationship to reality
- Connected to conceptual art through:
- Use of seriality and typologies
- Interest in the vernacular and everyday
- Questioning of authorship and artistic intention
Environmental concerns
- Reflected growing awareness of human impact on the natural world
- Documented the rapid transformation of landscapes due to urbanization and industrialization
- Raised questions about sustainability and the long-term consequences of development
- Engaged with emerging environmental movements of the 1970s, including:
- Conservation efforts
- Critiques of consumer culture
- Awareness of pollution and resource depletion
Exhibition and reception
- The New Topographics movement gained recognition through a landmark exhibition and subsequent critical discourse
- The reception of the movement evolved over time, influencing its place in photographic history
- Initial reactions varied, but the movement's impact grew significantly in subsequent decades
1975 George Eastman House exhibition
- Titled "New Topographics: Photographs of a Man-Altered Landscape"
- Curated by William Jenkins at the International Museum of Photography
- Featured work by ten photographers, including:
- Robert Adams
- Lewis Baltz
- Stephen Shore
- The exhibition catalog became a highly influential document in photographic history
Critical response
- Initial reactions were mixed, with some critics dismissing the work as boring or uninspired
- Over time, critical appreciation grew as the movement's influence became apparent
- Scholars recognized the exhibition as a turning point in landscape photography
- Critics debated the movement's:
- Aesthetic merits
- Political implications
- Relationship to earlier photographic traditions
Public reception
- Initially, the general public found the images challenging and difficult to appreciate
- The and focus on contrasted with popular notions of artistic photography
- Gradually, the movement's influence spread, affecting how people viewed their everyday environments
- Public understanding evolved through:
- Increased exposure in museums and galleries
- Inclusion in photography textbooks and curricula
- Influence on commercial and editorial photography
Legacy and influence
- New Topographics had a profound and lasting impact on the field of photography
- The movement's influence extended beyond photography into other visual arts and cultural studies
- Its legacy continues to shape contemporary approaches to landscape representation
Impact on contemporary photography
- Influenced generations of photographers in their approach to landscape and documentary work
- Popularized a more detached, observational style in art photography
- Expanded the subject matter considered suitable for artistic exploration
- Inspired photographers to examine:
- Urban and suburban environments
- Industrial landscapes
- The intersection of nature and human development
Shift in landscape photography
- Redefined the genre of landscape photography, moving away from romantic idealization
- Encouraged a more critical examination of human impact on the environment
- Broadened the definition of what constitutes a landscape in photographic terms
- Led to new approaches in depicting:
- Urban landscapes
- Altered natural environments
- Spaces of everyday life
Influence on documentary practices
- Informed new strategies for
- Encouraged a more nuanced approach to representing social and environmental issues
- Influenced the development of long-term photographic projects and typologies
- Impacted documentary practices through:
- Emphasis on objectivity and neutrality
- Interest in systematic documentation
- Focus on the built environment as a reflection of social conditions
New Topographics in context
- The New Topographics movement emerged within a broader artistic and cultural landscape
- Understanding its relationship to other movements helps contextualize its significance
- The movement's place in photographic history continues to be reevaluated and discussed
Relationship to other art movements
- Shared concerns with Land Art and Earthworks regarding human interaction with the landscape
- Connected to Minimalism through its emphasis on formal qualities and reduction of expressive elements
- Paralleled Conceptual Art's interest in systems and seriality
- Engaged with Pop Art's fascination with vernacular American culture, especially in the work of:
- Stephen Shore
- Ed Ruscha (an important precursor to the movement)
Place in photographic history
- Marked a significant shift from modernist to postmodernist approaches in photography
- Bridged documentary traditions with contemporary art practices
- Influenced the development of the Düsseldorf School of Photography, including:
- Andreas Gursky
- Thomas Struth
- Candida Höfer
- Contributed to the elevation of photography as a respected medium in the art world
Contemporary interpretations
- The ideas and aesthetics of New Topographics continue to evolve in contemporary photography
- New technologies and global perspectives have expanded the movement's original concepts
- Contemporary photographers reinterpret New Topographics principles in light of current social and environmental issues
Neo-topographics
- Contemporary photographers revisit and update New Topographics themes
- Explore new forms of , such as:
- Data centers
- Renewable energy installations
- Gentrified urban areas
- Photographers like and continue the tradition while adding their own perspectives
Digital adaptations
- Use of digital technologies to capture and manipulate landscape images
- Exploration of virtual and augmented reality in representing altered landscapes
- Incorporation of satellite imagery and drone photography to document large-scale environmental changes
- Digital techniques allow for:
- Stitching multiple images into panoramas
- High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging to capture greater detail
- Composite images that blend multiple perspectives
Global perspectives
- Extension of New Topographics principles to landscapes beyond North America and Europe
- Documentation of rapid urbanization and industrialization in developing countries
- Exploration of global environmental issues through photography
- Contemporary photographers address:
- Climate change impacts on landscapes
- Globalization's effect on local environments
- Cultural differences in human-landscape interactions
Key Terms to Review (34)
Absence of human figures: The absence of human figures refers to the deliberate choice by photographers to exclude people from their compositions, emphasizing landscapes, architecture, or other elements within a scene. This approach often highlights the relationship between the environment and human intervention, showcasing the impact of humanity on nature without the distraction of human presence. This technique can evoke feelings of solitude, contemplation, or even desolation, inviting viewers to engage with the image on a deeper level.
Alec Soth: Alec Soth is an influential American photographer known for his large-scale portrait and landscape photography, often exploring themes of isolation and community in contemporary America. His work combines documentary and fine art photography, capturing the emotional essence of his subjects while offering a narrative that reflects the broader cultural landscape. He is often associated with the New Topographics movement, which emphasizes a more subdued, realistic representation of American landscapes, shifting away from the romanticized views that dominated earlier photographic traditions.
Andreas Gursky: Andreas Gursky is a contemporary German photographer known for his large-scale, digitally manipulated images that capture the complexities of modern life and globalization. His work often features expansive views of architecture and landscapes, blending the real with the artificial to reflect postmodern themes and the impact of technology on perception.
Banal Subjects: Banal subjects refer to everyday, commonplace scenes or objects that lack inherent drama or excitement. In the context of photography, these subjects are often chosen to challenge traditional notions of beauty and significance, instead highlighting the mundane aspects of life. This approach invites viewers to reconsider their perceptions and meanings associated with ordinary environments and experiences.
Bernd and Hilla Becher: Bernd and Hilla Becher were a German artist duo known for their pioneering work in industrial photography, focusing on typologies of industrial structures like water towers, gas tanks, and coal mines. Their meticulous and systematic approach to documenting these structures contributed to the New Topographics movement, emphasizing the relationship between human-made environments and their geographical context while rejecting romantic notions of landscape photography.
Black and white photography: Black and white photography is a style of photography that uses varying shades of gray, black, and white to create images without color. This technique emphasizes contrast, texture, and composition, allowing viewers to focus on shapes and patterns rather than being distracted by color. It has been a significant form of artistic expression, influencing movements that explore themes of environment, social issues, and landscape representation.
Color photography: Color photography refers to the process of capturing images in which colors are represented in a way that mirrors their appearance in the real world. This form of photography emerged in the late 19th century and revolutionized visual storytelling, providing a more vivid and realistic representation of subjects. The advent of color photography not only changed how photographs were perceived but also influenced various movements and documentation styles across different societal contexts.
Commercial development: Commercial development refers to the process of creating and promoting photography as a product for mass consumption, particularly within the context of advertising, real estate, and other commercial ventures. This approach often emphasizes the aesthetic and practical aspects of photography that cater to commercial interests, leading to a shift in how images are produced and consumed in society. It highlights the intersection of art and commerce, where photography serves not only as a means of artistic expression but also as a tool for marketing and economic gain.
Compositional strategies: Compositional strategies refer to the various techniques and principles photographers use to arrange elements within a frame to create visually compelling images. These strategies can significantly influence the viewer's perception and emotional response, guiding their eye through the photograph. Understanding these strategies is crucial for effectively conveying messages and themes within photography.
Conceptual art: Conceptual art is an artistic movement where the concept or idea behind the artwork is more important than the finished product. It often challenges traditional views of art by emphasizing thought and meaning over aesthetic qualities, leading to new forms of expression and interaction with the viewer.
Critique of modernism: The critique of modernism refers to the evaluation and questioning of the principles and ideals associated with modernism, a movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This critique often highlights the limitations of modernist approaches, such as their emphasis on abstraction, formalism, and the belief in progress, while advocating for a more inclusive, contextual understanding of art and photography. It challenges the notion that modernist ideals can adequately represent the complexities of contemporary life and experiences.
Deadpan style: Deadpan style is a photographic approach characterized by its stark, emotionless presentation, often employing a straight-faced, objective viewpoint. This style emphasizes the mundane and banal aspects of life without overt emotional involvement, which encourages viewers to engage with the images in a more contemplative manner. By presenting subjects in a straightforward way, deadpan style draws attention to the subject matter itself rather than the photographer's interpretation or emotional state.
Documentary photography: Documentary photography is a genre of photography that aims to chronicle significant and historical events, people, or cultures through compelling images. This style often seeks to tell a story, raise awareness, and provoke thought by capturing real-life situations, making it an important medium for social change and historical record.
Ed Ruscha: Ed Ruscha is an influential American artist and photographer known for his innovative use of conceptual photography and his contributions to the New Topographics movement. He is celebrated for blending text and imagery in his work, often exploring themes of urban landscapes, consumer culture, and the American experience. His artistic approach emphasizes the relationship between language and visual representation, making him a pivotal figure in both movements.
Edward Weston: Edward Weston was an influential American photographer known for his pioneering work in modernist photography, particularly in the early to mid-20th century. His innovative techniques and focus on form and texture elevated photography as an art form, making significant contributions to modernism and the development of straight photography.
Environmental concerns: Environmental concerns refer to the issues and challenges related to the natural environment and how human activities impact ecological balance. In photography, these concerns often manifest in the way landscapes are depicted, particularly in relation to urbanization, pollution, and land use. The exploration of environmental issues can provoke awareness and critical dialogue about the human relationship with nature.
Eugène atget: Eugène Atget was a French photographer known for his pioneering work in capturing the essence of Parisian streets and architecture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His photographs serve as an important bridge between documentary photography and the emerging art movements of the time, influencing later street photography and the New Topographics movement by focusing on the everyday urban landscape and its changes.
George Eastman House Exhibition: The George Eastman House Exhibition is a significant showcase dedicated to the history and evolution of photography, held at the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, New York. This exhibition is pivotal in understanding the impact of the New Topographics movement, as it highlights works from both historical and contemporary photographers who challenged traditional landscape photography by focusing on urban environments and human-altered landscapes.
Large format cameras: Large format cameras are photographic devices that use film or digital sensors larger than the traditional 35mm format, typically 4x5 inches or larger. They are known for their ability to capture incredible detail and dynamic range, making them ideal for professional photography, particularly in studio settings and landscape photography. Their unique capabilities have made them essential tools in various historical and artistic movements, allowing photographers to produce high-quality images with remarkable clarity and depth.
Lewis Baltz: Lewis Baltz was an American photographer known for his role in the New Topographics movement, which emerged in the 1970s. His work focuses on the mundane landscapes of suburban and industrial America, showcasing the impact of human activity on the environment. Baltz's photographs often emphasize a stark, minimalist aesthetic, capturing the relationship between man-made structures and the natural world.
Man-altered landscapes: Man-altered landscapes refer to environments that have been modified or transformed by human activity, impacting their natural state. These changes can include urban development, agricultural practices, mining, and other alterations that reflect human intervention in the environment. In photography, capturing these landscapes highlights the relationship between humanity and nature, especially within movements that focus on depicting the consequences of such alterations.
Minimalism: Minimalism is an art and design movement characterized by simplicity, clarity, and a focus on essential elements. In photography, it strips down images to their most basic forms, emphasizing composition, light, and space while eliminating unnecessary details. This approach allows viewers to engage more deeply with the work, promoting contemplation and reflection.
New Topographics: New Topographics is a photography movement that emerged in the late 1970s, characterized by its focus on the built environment and landscapes altered by human activity. This movement shifted the traditional ideals of nature in photography towards a more critical view of how urbanization and industrialization shape the landscape. By presenting these transformed spaces in a documentary style, New Topographics artists prompted viewers to reconsider their relationship with both nature and urban development.
Post-war america: Post-war America refers to the period following World War II, characterized by economic prosperity, social change, and the emergence of new cultural movements. This era saw a dramatic shift in American society as veterans returned home, leading to a baby boom and an expansion of the middle class, while also experiencing the effects of the Cold War on domestic life and politics.
Relationship to conceptual art: The relationship to conceptual art refers to how photography interacts with and reflects the principles of conceptual art, which prioritizes ideas and concepts over traditional aesthetic or technical concerns. In this context, photography becomes a medium for exploring philosophical, social, and cultural ideas, often questioning the nature of representation and authorship in art. This relationship is significant in movements like New Topographics, where photographers sought to capture everyday landscapes with a focus on the conceptual underpinnings of their work.
Robert Adams: Robert Adams is an American photographer known for his significant contributions to the New Topographics movement, which emerged in the 1970s. His work often focuses on the changing landscape of the American West, exploring themes of urban development and environmental concerns through a documentary style that emphasizes simplicity and stark realism. Adams' photography reflects a deep engagement with both the beauty and the consequences of human intervention in nature.
Simon Roberts: Simon Roberts is a contemporary British photographer known for his large-scale landscape photography that examines the relationship between people and the environments they inhabit. His work often reflects themes of identity, place, and community, connecting closely with the principles of the New Topographics movement, which focuses on the human impact on the landscape and challenges traditional notions of picturesque scenery.
Snapshot aesthetic: Snapshot aesthetic refers to a style of photography characterized by spontaneous, candid images that capture everyday moments with an informal, unpolished quality. This approach emphasizes naturalness and immediacy, often resulting from the use of simple cameras that allow photographers to quickly document their surroundings without extensive preparation or staging.
Stephen Shore: Stephen Shore is a prominent American photographer known for his work that captures everyday scenes and landscapes using color photography, particularly within the New Topographics movement. His images are often characterized by a straightforward approach and a focus on the ordinary, reflecting the transformation of American culture in the late 20th century. Shore's innovative use of color and composition has also had a significant influence on contemporary photography, making him an important figure in the evolution of visual storytelling.
Straight photography: Straight photography is a style of photography that emphasizes the use of the camera's inherent qualities to capture reality without manipulation or artistic interpretation. This approach emerged in the early 20th century as a response to more artistic styles, advocating for clarity, detail, and the truthful representation of subjects.
Suburban expansion: Suburban expansion refers to the growth and development of residential areas on the outskirts of urban centers, typically characterized by single-family homes, increased land use, and a shift in population from urban to suburban locations. This phenomenon emerged notably in the post-World War II era, as factors like the rise of automobile ownership and government policies facilitated the movement of families seeking more space and improved quality of life away from crowded cities.
Thomas Struth: Thomas Struth is a contemporary German photographer known for his large-scale photographs that explore the relationship between people and their environments, particularly urban spaces and museums. His work is often linked to the New Topographics movement, which challenges traditional notions of landscape photography by focusing on the built environment and its impact on society.
Urban sprawl: Urban sprawl refers to the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into the surrounding rural land, often characterized by low-density development and an increased reliance on automobiles. This phenomenon is closely tied to post-World War II American society, where economic growth and suburbanization led to a rise in residential neighborhoods that extended far from city centers. It reflects changes in land use, transportation patterns, and social dynamics as people sought more space and affordable housing outside densely populated urban areas.
Walker Evans: Walker Evans was an influential American photographer known for his documentary-style images that captured the realities of everyday life, particularly during the Great Depression. His work is celebrated for its artistic integrity and social consciousness, making significant contributions to various photography movements and projects aimed at highlighting social issues and the American landscape.