Photo: Fr Alvaro Martinez SSC
My name is Alvaro Martinez. I am a Columban priest who has always been fascinated by photography. Through my experiences with photography, I find a connection with nature, people, and, most importantly, God and myself.
Photography, a discipline that demands patience, quietness, and planning, is a transformative journey. It involves carrying heavy equipment to a location and waiting for nature to reveal something stunning. It is a moment of prayer and contemplation, a time when I can appreciate nature and God without rushing.
I must remain still to allow them to reveal their beauty to me. Personal encounters cannot be forced; they come in their own time, God’s time. Not every encounter will be perfect or successful, but I wait patiently for that perfect moment, knowing that the wait itself is a part of the transformation.
Contemplation does not end when I leave the location. There is a second moment when I see the photos on my computer. Sometimes, what I thought was a poor day turns out to be a wonderful and perfect dialogue with the Creator. The joy of discovering unexpected beauty, both in photography and our spiritual journey, keeps me excited and curious.
Do not be discouraged if you do not see immediate results in your spiritual life, as in photography. It takes time to learn and improve. Keep practising, and you will eventually see results. Do not give up! Many photographers spend days, months, or even years to capture the perfect photo. It is similar to our spiritual life; we must keep trying, and eventually, a profound encounter will come, making the road more transparent and the path shining. It’s perseverance that leads to the most rewarding moments.
I leave this reflection with a link to my webpage, www.missionlens.cl, which is filled with my favourite photos, highlighting the presence of God in our world. I hope you enjoy exploring this collection and that it inspires you to appreciate the beauty of nature. By promoting biodiversity through photography, we can get to know our Creator
Columban Fr Alvaro Martinez is from Chile.
Related links
- Read more from the current Columban eBulletin
