By Michael Traynor
Can a photograph capture the soul? It is a question indigenous people asked upon first encountering the camera. They were told the idea was nonsensical. I’m not so sure.
I doubt a soul can be “captured” by a photo in the strictly physical sense of the word. I believe a photo could portray the spiritual inner workings of its subject — if the photo is taken at the precise instant a person’s inner spiritual self is deeply recognizing and experiencing itself in its outer physical environment. I think a soul needs to be actively engaging in the physical world to be seen, and at its moment of total engagement, it is possible to capture a soul in a still photo. For me, that happens most frequently when deeply absorbed in the staggering beauty of the natural world.
A photo of my soul in action was taken at Iguazu Falls a few months ago. The photo perfectly expresses what was spiritually going on inside of me, as well as what was physically being experienced by me on the outside. Here is the story of that moment, and the photo.
Earlier this year, I traveled into three wilderness areas in Brazil. First was the Amazon, the world’s largest tropical rainforest. Swarms of hungry piranha and ever-curious pink dolphin share the river, while screeching macaws and howler monkeys call out from the treetops in the canopy above. Next was the Pantanal, the world’s largest freshwater wetland. Jaguars prowl through the marshes, caiman lie in wait at water’s edge, and above fly an astonishing 650 distinct species of birds. Last was Iguazu Falls, the largest and widest waterfall system in the world. Traveling along uneven, forested paths, its 275 waterfalls offer dramatic sights and roaring sounds at every turn.
On the last day of my travels, while standing at the most powerful, thunderous point of Iguazu Falls, where the deluge is heaviest, came an instant of oneness with creation. The moment was captured in a photo, and so the photo provides the opportunity for me – and now for you – to glimpse my soul.
Here is a narrative of what spiritually transpired inside and externally occurred outside of me at that instant, although words cannot do it justice:
I stand alone at the edge of a broad, empty viewing platform,
viewing a turbulence of water, shadow, cloud, mist, and spray.
The roaring waterfall continuously recreates my view.
The waterfall is chaos, awe, fear, power, and transformation.
I am small and weak. The contrast is wonderful and dreadful.
A double rainbow shines gloriously above.
The rainbow is hope, light, kindness, reassurance, and joy.
I see only part of it, as most of the rainbow extends out behind me.
Far more luminescence is present here than what my eyes can see.
A break in the clouds emerges, resembling a person,
A figure centrally embedded in the scene
I did not initially see this figure.
Once I recognized it, everything fit together.
God’s luminous presence permeates and blesses its creation.
I say thank you.
My hope is that you look for and experience moments like this in your life, wherever they may be found. Here are a few more photos taken during my trip. Quietly reflecting upon your own favorite photos might help you see what they fully captured in a new way. You might find there could be more there than meets the eye. You might even spot a glimpse of your soul in action.
