In 1958, Buchanan developed an interest in photography and took a six-month leave of absence, travelling to France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Jordan in order to pursue his artistic practice. From 1960 to 1963, he would go on to exhibit his photographic work at the Here and Now Gallery (Toronto), La Galleria George Lester (Rome), and The Blue Barn Gallery (Ottawa). In December 1963, he was appointed director of the International Fine Arts Exhibition "Man and His World" at Expo '67.