In more than 16,000 photographs, Father Jack King, a Maryknoll priest for more than 50 years, has reflected on the beauty of the world. He has seen it from a variety of angles -- growing up in Michigan, in mission in Central America and then as a chaplain aboard cruise ships.

Father King's photos have captured a waxy orange flower sprouting from a charred Hawaiian tree, a rosy bougainvillea framing icy-blue Lake Atitlán in Guatemala and brilliant green shutters adorning a sand-colored house in Bermuda. His pictures frame blue skies, grey skies, storm clouds and fiery sunsets, along with colors and people--a jar of jelly beans, a souvenir stand and white hats arranged for sale on an Ecuadoran sidewalk.

Father King, now 85, enjoys capturing, sharing and reflecting beauty. With his keen photographic eye, almost anything and anyone can and will become a subject. He takes his pictures and has enjoyed his life to the tune of the famous song What a Wonderful World.

A St. Clair Shores, Michigan, native, Father King began his hobby when he served in mission during the 1960s.

"When I was in Guatemala, I had a camera," he said. "I would take pictures of the festivals. It didn't mean much to me then. Years later, when I was on a cruise ship, I encountered my first digital camera. I got one and started taking pictures. I was hooked."

Besides Guatemala, Father King served in El Salvador, when violent oppression of grassroots organizations was rampant and beauty was covered with blood.

"I had given orders in the parish that the police were not to enter my rectory," recalled Father King. "I had a lot of young people in there who were running from the police. I'd give them bread, hard-boiled eggs and shelter."

Father King returned to the U.S. during 1977 to serve in mission education and promotion. Nine years later, after a heart attack temporarily set him back, he created a new ministry. He spent the next 17 years traveling the world and ministering to passengers and crew on 28 cruise ships that took him to more than 100 countries.

"I would visit the crew in the engine room, the kitchen, or wherever they were," said Father King. "I celebrated Mass for them at 11 o'clock at night," adding that he celebrated Mass for the passengers daily at 4 p.m.

"I had to go out and reach people—it's a kind of itinerant ministry. I always left my cabin door open for the crew. They would come in and sit on the floor, and we would talk. The passengers I always met outside my cabin. They come on a cruise with the idea that the fun they will have will change their lives, but, in truth, they bring their same troubles with them, and there are many who are very lonely."

Whether on ship or shore, Father King indulged his passion for capturing beauty. He snapped pictures of the ships' crew and of strangers he met in port.

"One time, in Alexandria, Egypt, I was taking pictures and they arrested me, thinking I was a spy," he said with a smile. "I told the chief of police I was a priest and he let me go. 'But,' said the chief, 'don't take any more pictures.' I asked, 'May I take yours?' And he let me!"

Back at Maryknoll in Ossining, New York, during the past few years, Father King has found many occasions for celebrating the beauty he continues to see around him.

"I was at Mass one day in our small chapel. There were missioners there who were celebrating significant anniversaries of ordination. I thought, 'These men deserve a hall of fame.' I started the hall on a small scale about two years ago."

Today, Father King's candid photos of more than 300 Maryknollers are displayed in a wing of their residence. He still can be seen snapping even more pictures on the Maryknoll campus, in local parks, and even in New York City.

"You have to have a balanced life," he said. "You can accept things that come to you without getting upset. I've had a great ride. I'm happy about it."

Learn more about Fr. King and see some of his beautiful pictures by clicking here.