Channel Entrance, South China Sea, China 2011

David Burdeny captured 'Channel Entrance, South China Sea, China' using photographic processes. The final print prompts questions about the relationship between labor and landscape. The thin vertical posts form neat rows across the image. Their regimented arrangements bring to mind mass production, and repetitive actions performed by workers. Consider too, the labor required to erect these posts in the water. The image speaks to the economic activities of the South China Sea, and the livelihoods dependent on its natural resources. The monochrome palette adds a layer of abstraction, emphasizing the formal qualities of line, texture, and composition. Ultimately, Burdeny encourages us to look beyond the surface of the photograph, and think about the human stories and physical effort embedded within the frame. It's a reminder that even in the most serene landscapes, traces of human labor and economic activity are always present.