“Time spent in the Southwest has opened my eyes not only to the striking landscapes, but also the deeply rooted, historical Native American culture and art.” –Jeff Zaruba, Photographer

In his ongoing “Spirits” series, Arizona photographer Jeff Zaruba turns his lens toward the quiet, scenic corners of the Southwest—places where “stone, trees and light seem to interconnect in a contemplative way.” The monochrome works, created in Oak Creek Canyon, explore what he calls “the quiet presence of the land,” using mirrored compositions to reveal an almost meditative symmetry.

Zaruba’s process began with long hours wandering the region’s canyons and cliffs. After experimenting with reflection and repetition, he found that the intersecting images formed shapes reminiscent of the pottery, rugs and basketry of early inhabitants. “That sense of duality reinforced a belief that if you are open to the idea, spirits exist in our natural world.”