I am Álvaro Mancilla, a nature photographer based in Chile. I seek images that breathe: scenes where light, form, and animal behavior align to reveal something true about the ecosystem. My visual language blends technical cleanliness, a minimalist composition, and a deliberate use of color and negative space to let nature speak without shouting. In 2025, I won 1st place in the Nature category of the Canon Photo Contest Chile. That recognition affirmed an intuition that guides my work: if a species is present and at ease, the habitat is still alive. Since then, I’ve deepened my focus on wetlands, birds, and the small yet powerful details of the tropics and the high Andean steppe. I always work with natural light, keeping distance and minimizing impact. I use long focal lengths (e.g., RF 600mm f/11) to avoid intrusion; I never bait, lure, or force behaviors. I prefer to wait rather than impose. My metadata clearly reflects my capture decisions (shutter speed, aperture, ISO, metering) because I believe photography is both a logbook and an art form. Minimalist composition, directional lines, and a balanced relationship between subject and background. Color as meaning: I let the environment determine the palette; post-processing is restrained (global adjustments to light and color, without altering the reality of the scene). Sharp where it matters: I use the focal plane to isolate a gesture or pattern; everything else supports it. Fine Art printing: I produce prints on Hahnemühle/Canson papers with pigment inks, managed color workflow, and museum-grade finishing. I sell in large format because texture and detail deserve space. I mainly work with the Canon EOS R5 and R8, RF 600mm, 55–250mm, 24–105mm, and 25–50mm lenses, along with mid-range zooms and macro. I use a tripod only when the subject requires it; I prioritize mobility and field rhythm. My post-processing lives in Lightroom, with a color-managed workflow aligned to print standards. I photograph to connect. I want viewers not only to admire an animal or a landscape, but to understand its role and feel responsible for the place. My titles and captions are brief but precise: they anchor the scene, share a naturalist insight, and, when relevant, the technical recipe that made it possible. I am based in Chile (Santiago / central-south region) and travel throughout Latin America—or wherever life takes me.