Lately, to a fault, I’ve been hyper focused on documenting a monochromatic world.

This quest led me to purchasing a used camera that can only capture black and white images-the Leica Q2 Monochrom and it’s stricken me with a severe case of color blindness.

This became evident as I delved into two photo books I discovered at the Omaha Public Library. First, American West by the King of Kodachrome, Ernst Haas. As my retinas absorbed his vivid vistas, I realized it was pointless to even imagine them stripped of color. They would be rendered pointless and soulless. The same can be said for Haas’ bible to mid century street photography, New York in Color-1952-1962. It’s visual jazz and makes me want to hop the next nonstop metal bird to New York every time I crack it open. The second book that made me doubt my monochromatic itch is Joel Meyerowitz’s A Question of Color. In it, Meyerowitz recounts his discovery and subsequent passion for color photography and makes a strong argument for leaving the gray world behind. He says, “A black-and-white photograph doesn’t describe everything that’s there. It’d giving the graphic bones of the image, but none of the flesh.”

So, today, after being bedridden for 5 days with a nasty battle with Covid (my first), I felt up to venturing out for a bit with my camera. I had one goal-slow down and absorb and see the saturation of the street..

These images won’t win any awards. They’re more sketchbook photos than anything. But, as I was scouting, feeling grateful to be out once again, I felt an awakening.