Photos from the Heart: Environmentalist Alex Nevares
Tara A. Spears
There have been many breathtaking images captured by photographers from around the world over the last hundred and fifty years. For Lo de Marco resident, Alex Nevares, taking pictures is a means toward intensely savoring and honoring Mexico’s natural world. A self-taught photographic artist, Alex embodies each photo with a juxiposition of color and light to create a powerful tribute to planet earth.
“Ever since I was a child and my grandmother taught me to respect plants-vegetables, flowers, trees- I have loved nature,” said Alex in perfect English. With all of the issues that are negatively impacting the lifespan of earth, three years ago Alex decided to leave the corporate world in the urban area of Monterey, Nuevo Leon. “My fear was that the exceptional beauty of coastal Mexico is quickly disappearing so I set a goal to preserve this natural beauty in photographs. I hope that those seeing the photos will be motivated to protect the environment before it’s too late.”
A lifelong vegetarian who practiced ‘living green’ before it was a social movement, Alex decided to start a second career as an environmental consultant. “I was able to instigate change in my company to be more environmentally responsible.” Over the last 25 years Alex has amassed knowledge on the importance of sustainability and how it can be implemented on the business, town, and personal levels. A friend, who is an environmental activist, asked Alex to speak to a group on possible changes to take towards living green. “I developed a plan that starts with baby steps- things that the individual can do. One needs to consider the big picture-the planet- and how to achieve a balance with modern living and finite energy and resources.”
After exploring the coastal communities since 1997, it’s fitting that he would choose the village of Lode Marco for his home and base of operations when he embarked on his second career. Lo de Marco prides itself on being sustainable and has a very active group of residents. Lo de Marco has it all: forward thinking citizens, exceptional natural beauty, the charm of village living and easy access to larger communities. Alex quickly began collaborating with the local groups, LaVida Verde Lo de Marcos and Productos-Granja-El-Paraiso (sustainable community farming.) His philosophy of respecting the earth by living sustainability is very timely as coastal Riviera Nayarit is at the crossroads of needing to make community changes to preserve the natural environment or lose it forever to unbridled development.
Alex’s appreciation and passion for the natural world is evident in his choice of photographic composition. Each photo elites awe and love for the area. His quality work can be compared to that of Ansel Adams! No matter how many times Alex snaps the Pacific sunsets each one is stunning. Maybe the viewer can’t save the world but he/she can make a difference in Nayarit –the first step is caring. Look at a sample of his area sunsets: the larger originals are absolutely breathtaking!
These great images draw you into the scene so that you feel the breeze and hear the waves whooshing on the sand. Alex’s work appreciates the impact of simple natural things while capturing the beauty of Nayarit life. Great photography often has multiple layers and depth to it because when an image is strong the viewers will feel connected to it.
A picture speaks a thousand words. It has the power to move a mind and compel it to act. Beyond the technology of photography and beyond the tricks and tips, photographic art has been, in its purest form, a silent recorder of humanity for as long as it’s been around. The beauty and wonder of coastal Mexico will endure eternally through the eye and passion of environmentalist Alex Nevares.
To order signed copies of original photographs message #alexsunsethunter and visit his Facebook page for more examples.
To arrange a speaking engagement, contact Alex via Cell: 811 312 6825 or
Email: alexnevares@hotmail.com
