Etymologically, the word “lagoon” is derived from the Latin lacus, meaning “lake”, and also takes on the meaning of an empty space (a “lacuna”: a lack of something), but not alway – as this case illustrates – does the name reflect what is named after. The lagoon is certainly much more than an empty space, indeed, it is the sum of things, the interpenetration of land and water, salty (sea) and fresh (water), of intertwining and daily mutations. The lagoon is a living thing, which pulsates with the tides. It is formed by the contrasting action of the rivers that deposit their material there and the sea which erodes it. In the middle stands humankind, which has proved able to take great advantage of its resources. This is the northernmost lagoon of the Mediterranean formed between the historic mouths of rivers Isonzo and Tagliamento, a meeting point for people and cultures from Europe, North Africa and the Near East. This is a fluid, mythical and magical place, where all the senses and emotions intertwine and mix.

Stefano Stafuzza

I enjoy wandering the streets of a city or any other place I find myself looking for the opportunity to capture a single moment in time and space, fundamental factors for the success of a good photograph.
I try to fill the frame with information that makes an image strong, starting from the smallest details, while the background is as important as the foreground which can define the sense of place. Most of the time technical skills and preparation do not provide the expected results because one never knows what will happen.

Umberto Sarcinelli

A professional journalist, he worked at Il Piccolo, Corriere di Pordenone, the Resto del Carlino and Il Gazzettino. He did internships at the Progresso Italoamericano and at Indiro Montanelli’s Il Giornale. He collaborates with magazines, radio and television. He took part in photography masters’ courses laid on by Italo Zannier, Helmut Newton and Mario Di Biasi (Venice photography 1979), writing an environment and nature column for the Gazzettino, participating in international projects (Life) on large predators and dealing with zooanthropology. He is the author of several sports and environmental books.
He regularly holds conferences on natural history topics.

The placid lagoon
water between sea and land
a fluid nature that merges
between the peaks and the sea

Text by Umberto Sarcinelli
Photos by Stefano Stafuzza