Shallow Waters, Misty Waves
Shallow Waters, Misty Waves is a journey into what we no longer stop to see. Everyday details—foliage, power lines, streets, animals—transform into dreamlike fields of visions when the gaze lingers a little longer. Nothing is entirely new, yet nothing looks familiar anymore.
My images arise from chance and stillness—light, shadow, and color. I use flashes, color gels, and long exposures to shift the ordinary into something otherworldly. They are not digital fabrications, though they often resemble AI-generated imagery. Instead, they are created in the moment, in the union of camera and gaze, revealing another reality beneath the surface of the everyday.
In the past, sacredness lived in nature. In pagan beliefs, forests, lakes, and stones were full of spirits and signs. Today, we search for the same sense of mystery through technology—through screens, algorithms, and virtual promises—while the world around us fades from view.
Years ago, a psychotic episode reshaped my perception—the everyday began to rearrange itself, appearing as signs and messages. Although this project no longer directly addresses that experience, its trace runs through everything I create. My photographs are a reminder that something is still here, waiting for us if we allow ourselves to linger. Everything around us carries stories we have forgotten—but which can still be seen, if only we look differently.
Photographs, words and design:
Sari Soininen
215 × 285 mm
Hard cover
84 pages
Printing:
Livonia Print
1st edition of 500
Self-published in 2025
Supported by:
Finnish Cultural Foundation
Aboa Vetus Ars Nova
ISBN 978-952-88-0399-7
Orders are typically processed and shipped once a week.
Delivery times vary depending on the destination country.
Returns & Refunds
All sales are final. As these are small-edition, independently published art books, returns and exchanges are not accepted. Please review all product information carefully before placing your order.
If your book arrives damaged or contains a printing error, please contact me within 7 days of delivery at sari@sarisoininen.com.