Faith #2

Some photographs tell so much more than just what is occurring in them: they convey emotions, tell stories, introduce us to a person's inner self.

Photographing signs of Faith is less about grabbing a simple photo: it's not merely about taking something sacred, but actually catching that spiritual essence that lies behind every individual image.

A Gospel page, clean and shining, holds all the prayers that have been breathed over the years. 

Chiesa di San Vitale, Parma, Italy - 2024-03-22

And think of a prayer book read a thousand times: it's a piece of an intimate conversation between individuals and God. 

Basilica di San Domenico, Bologna, Italy - 2023-04-10

If you photograph these things, you're not only taking a photo: you're showing spirituality in light and dark. They're like symbols that connect the earth and the divine, making us think about who we are and how we see ourselves. 

And then there's the whole architectural vibe of Faith: like a fresco in the apse that shares ancient stories through colors and shapes, or the inside of a church where the silence feels real and light dances on the surfaces, highlighting the details and creating a space for deep reflection. Every inch of the structure is meaningful: the columns resemble spiritual pillars, the domes appear to soar into the heavens, and the aisles lead the faithful through a spiritual pilgrimage. The structures aren't buildings: they're keepers of experience, of hope, and of beauty that's timeless.

Basilica di San Domenico, Bologna, Italy - 2023-04-10

Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata, Parma, Italy - 2023-09-16

And don’t forget the human factor: people entering church aren't all background extras; they're individuals on their own journeys. When they're backlit in the doorway, it's as if their silhouettes draw attention to this amazing period of change and discovery they're undergoing. Even the subtlest gesture is symbolic of something greater: that light enveloping them is revelation, this intersection of human and divine.

Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista, Parma, Italy - 2023-09-09

Capturing Faith is all about really listening and observing. You must let the camera catch a glimpse of something spiritual, trying to photograph the things that you cannot see. You do not need any special effects — only light, focus and reverence for what is being spoken. And who knows, when you look back at those shots, you might just feel that you've shot not only a photo, but a piece of something much bigger.

“If we have faith in humankind
And respect for what is earthly 
And an unfaltering belief 
In peace and love and understanding 
This could be heaven here on Earth“
(Tracy Chapman, “Heaven's Here On Earth”)