David McMillan (photographer)

David McMillan (born 1945) is a Canadian photographer known primarily for his extended photographic survey of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, a project he began in 1994 and continues to the present day. His work explores themes of absence, memory, and the long-term effects of human actions on the landscape.

McMillan studied architecture at the University of Manitoba and later worked as an architectural photographer. This background informs his approach to documenting the built environment, often with a focus on precise composition and a meticulous attention to detail. He avoids sensationalism, instead favoring a quiet and contemplative aesthetic.

While his Chernobyl series is his most recognized work, McMillan has also produced significant bodies of work focused on other subjects, including abandoned buildings in the American Midwest and landscapes across Canada. He has exhibited internationally and his photographs are held in numerous public and private collections. His approach to long-term photographic projects demonstrates a commitment to chronicling slowly unfolding narratives and recording the subtle changes that occur over time.