I'm glad you posted this Dylan as I've been thinking something similar all week.
My arguent is unlike most forms of photography - 'landscape' has stagnated lately. I've been hunting around for images to inspire etc
but the Masters these days seem to be failing at innovating and progression. I don't know if the diluted industry is preventing
photographers from taking risks or whether the seeming increase in workshops is taking Masters away from their art.
Many will disagree with me I'm sure but I just feel that many of the most popular landscape photographers just seem to be cranking out
the same generic formula.
...but I digress.
to answer your question...and to stay on the matter of landscapes.
I loved Eliot Porter's work when I was at school but he was getting pretty old and not really doing much. They were old images I was admiring.
I started looking closely at guys like Jack Dykinger and David Muench - who are both a bit stale I think. Don't get me wrong...both are very popular but I just don't think they're charting new territory. They're not alone.
Guys like Joe Cornish and Galen Rowell made me cringe years ago...and still do.
The former makes 'chocolate box' images. The latter, in my opinion, is an example of everything that's wrong with popular processing techniques these days
A couple of photographers I've been casting my eye over lately are Michael Kenna and Edward Burtynsky. I'm not saying either are
entirely exempt of my previous criticisms but they are do appear to be at least trying to break the mould.
Closer to home...a young guy called Trent Mitchell has been creating some interesting work as well. I think he's still working out
what direction to take (mind you, he's pretty good in all fields) but worth keeping an eye out for.