This may sound screwy, but ...

A few years ago, at a younger than usual age, I developed cataracts.

My ophthamalogist operated both eyes a month apart, replacing the natural lenses with plastic ones. When he removed the dressing from the first operated eye, I was amazed to discover that what I saw through the remaining "natural" lens was like looking through a yellow filter. He explained that human natural lenses tend to take on a yellow color. This effect, he said, manifests itself in the colors used by painters who work into their old age.

When the second natural lens was removed, my perception of color changed, but so did my perception of contrast.

And now, I don't "see" well in color. I "see" better in black and white. My wife, who still has her natural lenses, "sees" better in color than I do.

So I shoot black and white because when I tried to shoot color it just doesn't look right.

God bless those of you who can do both.

/s/ David