It started happening about 3 years ago. I first noticed it happening when I started to post my photos more regularly on social media.

It was slow at first and then all at once.

When I shared a photo, I would immediately think "this would look better in black and white." same with the next photo, and the next, and the next.

I enjoy color.

I like colorful things.

…yet, back in those days my eyes were changing by each click of the shutter. My heart was taking over. Eventually, I just saw in black, white, and every shade of grey in between (not 50… relax, this is PG 13).

So, what is Achromatopsia? It is a rare condition where vision is limited to the black and white spectrum and, by definition, color is partially or fully blocked.

Ok…

…the truth is that I don't actually have this condition, at least not physically, but when it comes to how I see the world pass in front of me and what I decide to capture I am certain that this is the name I should give how I feel when I photograph. Even my friends know that if I take a photo of them it's coming back JG-style… in black and white.

Every now and then I'll have flashes of the colorful world and think, this would look better no other way with all its colors flashing and painting with bright brush strokes. I'll even share a color photo every blue moon. I have nothing against photographers who prefer color, or even those who dislike black and white. We all have our way of showing the world what matters to us.

And because every one of these journal entries will have some photos from my gallery (if they don’t, my account was hacked!), here are three photos that describe how I feel when I photograph.

What they have to say is best said in the language of monochrome.