SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- Canadian photo-artist Edward Burtynsky, known for capturing humankind’s impact on the environment in his images, has been selected as one of three winners of the inaugural TED Prize. Each recipient has been granted THREE WISHES to be revealed at the next TED conference, February 23-26, 2005 in Monterey, CA. Many members of the TED Community, and a group of world-class companies, have pledged support to help fulfill these wishes. Each winner will also receive $100,000 to be spent however they choose in support of their wishes.

"We are exhilarated to have such extraordinary individuals as our inaugural winners of the TED Prize," said Chris Anderson, TED Curator and founder of the Sapling Foundation. "We believe they will inspire the TED Community -- and perhaps many others -- to play a role in nudging our world toward a better future."

Over 30 years ago, Edward Burtynsky worked in mines and auto manufacturing plants, giving him direct exposure to industry and the world's growing demand for resources. During that time, Burtynsky began shooting large format color photographs; images that captured views of the earth altered by mankind; blasted quarries and mines, a landscape plundered and then abandoned. Burtynsky has explored the impact of our expanding footprint and how it has begun reshaping the surface of the planet in very profound ways. Burtynsky's images are simultaneously beautiful, yet deeply shocking. Our judges believe the TED Prize will allow this Toronto-based artist/photographer to bring his work to a broader audience, and help change the way we think about the world and our place in it.