Submission

Artist statement – Ethna Marie Sinisi I use the natural world as a compositional element in my work. I seek perspectives that are different from usual human encounters, often abstracting the elements to transform them. The camera and lens feel like an extension of my body, to both help me discover and capture momentary visuals, from shifting natural light to fleeting glimpses of the fungi as their biologic essence changes and transforms. I also experiment with hand-held techniques with zoom and macro to create my desired effects, rejecting the exact replication afforded by a camera steadied by a tripod focused on a stationary subject. In many of my photos, one or both of the camera and object are handheld and lighting is natural, and I use a shallow depth of field, all allowing me to create the texture and atmosphere I desired in these photographs. These techniques give me the maximum opportunity to connect naturally with the subject and draw out elements and effects. It allows me to transfix my mental and visual focus and capture visuals in the moment as I gently move the subject, following shadows and patterns while bathing it in natural light. Many of the subjects were found in my yard or nearby open spaces. They were overlooked by dozens of people that passed by. After my few minutes with them, I often leave them where I found them. Other times I keep them for a day or two before replacing them, so that I can see the transformations that occur. I reflect upon the disparate individual elements that create the complexity of our world.