Desert Cantos

Desert Cantos is a series of works by perhaps my favorite modern day photographer Richard Misrach. Desert Cantos, a series Misrach has been worked on for over 35 years explores desolate landscapes, gritty decay and mans relationship with the land. His works appears to stylised as a documentary depicting the southwest American landscape.

For the past 5 years I have been documenting my own series of photos entitled "Urban decay". Like Richard Misrach I have focused on the decaying facades , buildings and the land all within Melbourne. I too also like to explore themes of destruction and abandonment. These themes are quite confronting and powerful. Examples of these themes can be seen through Misrach's photographs Desert Fire #1 and Drive in theatre, Las Vegas.

Seeing Misrach's work inspires me to keep further exploring the one subject, in varying ways.
Desert Fire #153 (Man with a rifle) is my all time favourite photograph. It captures everything that is powerful in relation to man and the land. It shows both sides of control, one that man has through the obvious pointed rifle and the control the land takes upon them. Having an appreciation for the wilderness and the barren American land I feel connected to this photo and it power really recinates with me.

When Misrach was brought up in todays class I was just so thrilled.I am in utter awe of Misrach's works.