Palais Garnier, Paris, France, 2012

Palais Garnier is beautiful from every angle, but it also enjoys an incredible symmetry and spatial richness one can only sense when moving horizontally and vertically through the space. Using the widest lens at my disposalК- a 28mm in this case – I wanted to shoot from the balcony overlooking the grand staircase. However, moments after setting up, I was told by security a tripod permit is required to shoot here – not an option at this point. I decided to return later with a smaller tripod and change of clothes to avoid being spotted by security once again. Then, as the last visitor left the building, I quickly set up my equipment and managed to expose a few frames before I was told to leave.

-David Burdeny

David Burdeny initiated his career with the Jennifer Kostuik Gallery in 2001 and has been exhibiting his images from the world over, including Antarctica, Iceland, Brazil, China, Burma, Cambodia, France, Italy, Canada and the USA. Known for his finely composed photographs, Burdeny has spent the past 25 years exploring a variegated photographic Landscape ranging from minimal seascapes, ornate European interiors to abstract aerial images. Widely collected in Canada, the USA, Asia and Europe, the sheer beauty of David’s images has firmly placed him within the realm of Canada’s most sought after photo-based artists. Burdeny has an innate curiosity for new subjects and themes, producing over 20 themed photographic series. Be it mounting a camera beneath a self-built drone, shooting from the deck of an Antarctic bound icebreaker, or waiting for an ocean tide to advance, he faithfully embeds his own formal signature into each and every image, further expressing a life long passion for the built environment and the camera’s interpretation of it.

David Burdeny’s Masters in Architecture and Interior Design background combined with his upbringing in the vast Canadian prairies provides the template for his keen technical ability, enduring patience and minimalist aesthetic.