Edward Burtynsky (b. 1955) is Canada's most successful photographer.

A noted filmmaker, entrepreneur and environmental advocate, Burtynsky is best known internationally for his large-scale images documenting the process and consequences of using the earth's natural resources.

His images, which at times approach abstraction, present a bizarre tension between beauty and desecration.

Many works, and this is an exceptional example, show unbelievable aerial views and are presented with a level of detail normally impossible for the human eye to comprehend.

This image is from Burtynsky's Dryland Farming series depicts the arid agricultural region of Mongeros, Spain. This region is sparsely populated and prone to droughts and high winds. Dryland farming is a complex technique used in dry areas to cultivate crops despite limited moisture and no irrigation.

Images from this series showcase the vast expanse of farmland with winding rows and grid-like patterns. While the image documents the way human intervention has transformed a landscape, the overall work has an incredible form a rich palette and texture. The overall work resembles a Jean Dubuffet abstraction.

Dryland Farming is a series within a larger body of work titled Water. Water explores Burtynsky's career-long fascination with the visual and physical effects lack of water can have on the environment. Notably, water itself is often completely absent from the images in this body of work.

Edward Burtynsky's work can be found in the permanent collection of countless museums including the National Gallery of Canada, the Guggenheim, TATE Modern (London) and MoMA to mention a few.