The Manitoba Landscape: A Visual Symphony

by Robert R. Taylor

And so Robert Taylor begins his book of photography on the Manitoba landscape. Robert defines landscape using a dictionary meaning of landscape as a picture representing a view of natural inland scenery, or a portion of land that the eye can see in one glance. While that definition is true, it is also restricting. Landscape also signifies a unit of human occupation, and in that sense Taylor's photographs capture the meaning of landscape better than any mere picture. With his rich visual perception, Taylor has brought the viewer right into the heart and spirit of Manitoba, not only as natural inland scenery or as a portion of land, but as a time and place that represents the who and why of where we as Manitobans live.

Those who were born and raised in Manitoba have an attachment to the place which can never be denied. This is their home, their place of origin. Others have come to live here from all corners of the world bringing with them traditions and artistic expressions which have combined to weave a rich cultural mosaic.

Manitoba is not just the story of settlers, farmers, and fishermen, however, but the natural history of the geography and wildlife as well. The landscape of Manitoba is as diverse and fascinating as the people who came to live here. Local features and variations are endless, favourite places of those who discover them. Then there are the details, the trees, wildflowers, fields, meadows, birds, mammals, and other creatures which have their niches in our land.

To a naturalist, the idea that wild creatures fill niches in our land might be disturbing, but we cannot deny the truth. We, as the human race, do dominate our landscape. If we can come to understand our environment as a orchestra, one trombone depending on the next clarinet, then we can begin to find the ways to make it all perform together. Through his photography book, A Visual Symphony, Taylor puts it all together for us in a way we can both understand and enjoy. Manitoba, as landscape defined by a unit of human occupation ..all fits together in a grand and intricate way.

Robert R. Taylor is a man with a deep love of nature. For more than two decades he has explored and photographed the Hudson Bay region on an annual basis, as well as leading naturalist and photography tours to East Africa for many years. He graduated from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in Toronto in 1963, majoring in science photography. Robert was awarded a fellowship in the Professional Photographers Association of Manitoba and has earned the honour of Master of Photographic Arts of the Professional Photographers of Canada.

In 1978 he was accepted into the prestigious Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, one of the few photographers to receive this honour. The photographs of Robert R. Taylor have appeared in many national and international magazines and in several previous books. His prints decorate many offices and homes across Canada. Robert is well known for his owl photographs, a favourite subject of his. The license plate on his well traveled van reads simply OWL.

The Manitoba Landscape: A Visual Symphony is available at The La Vérendrye Trading Company for $48.95 Canadian plus GST and $5 shipping and handling (via snail mail). 10% off of this price until the end of July.