Black and White

Photos taken by contributor John G. Evans, a man who has been suffering for many years from what is now known to be a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from a trauma faced during military service time. His artistic accomplishments began in 1972 while he was serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. He purchased his first camera and took photographs of his journeys, his buddies, and the places they were stationed. This was where he began his passion for photography. He has discovered over the years since that photography and poetry have allowed him a second chance at life, and have released him of his depressive states and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. He recently relocated to Boise, Idaho, to photograph the mountain ranges, rivers, canals, nature, wildlife, landscapes and weather.

About these photos: “I enjoy B&W photos simply because they render themselves as life often times does, in black and white. These photos are quite dramatic and I sense at times an ever looming darkness in my life. Though through the clouds (at times), am able to see the light.”

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15 replies to “Black and White”

  3. Beautiful work, John.
    I’m old enough to have used film to take pictures. Even black & white film. Pan-X and Tri-X. Actually preferred Ilford over Kodak.
    This is not so much a matter of photography as much as an outlook on things in general, but the one thing I love about black & white – not in a technical sense but a matter of aesthetics – is that it considers life in all the innumerable shades of gray.
    Ansel Adams had it down to eleven “zones” between pure white and deepest black based on a one-f/stop difference. There are, of course, a whole lot more than just nine shades of gray.
    Or fifty, for that matter.
    Your photos show your familiarity with the Zone System.
    But for me, “I enjoy B&W photos simply because they render themselves as life often times does…” in those immeasurable shades of gray. The brightest – through pure white – brings life to a photo; the darkest – through deepest black – brings it depth. An increased sense perception.
    And it works very well for you.
    And…
    1972, Marines, PTSD.
    Back then I don’t even know if they had a name for it. “Shell shock”, “battle fever”, I forget all the euphemisms I heard about friends of mine coming back from Nam. Don’t know if the psychiatric community or the medical folks even had an official term for it that wasn’t just a sub-genre of “Depression” or “Anxiety”.
    We have a much better grasp of the concept these days.
    I hope and pray that for you, at least, the military has a firm handle on what needs to be done to help you in whatever way you need it.
    All I can do is send you my best thoughts and profound wish that one day…
    … all that is behind you.
    All those shadows.
    And you can enjoy all the bright spots life has to offer without interruption.

    Harris

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    1. Harris,
      What a beautiful comment you have blessed me with!! I agree with you on the B&W scenario you have given. B&W’s do render themselves as a darkness/light kind of realm in regards to life in general. I have been through the worst of it!! I am on a smooth road of recovery and yes, have been graciously been taken care of.

      To actually be in a “shell shock” kind of trance after being released from the Corps was magnanimously difficult to say the least!! But I wrote through the darkness about my experiences via poetry and photography.

      These are my two greatest passions and have rendered a healing affect. Thanks be to God! If you only knew how many times I desired to end it all…I am happy I went through the fire….not unscathed mind you…..there do remain scars but I have learned humbly to proceed onward and am merely trying to make lemonade out of so many lemons via my passions.

      Thanks so very much for you lovely sentiments!

      Peace!

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  5. Thank you so much for your very valuable comment!! These are a mountain range in New Mexico for sure. I felt compelled to take this shot for its dramatic effect. And, I am at a crossroads to which peace has overtaken me via poetry and photography. Thanks very kindly for your thoughts!

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  6. Reblogged this on Vehemence! and commented:
    This is a superb site for those of us who have struggled with PTSD and other illnesses! Mine began in the USMC and via poetry and photography have gained an edge on depression and anxiety.

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