A few years ago while on a quick trip through west Texas, I was struck by the beauty and isolation of the region and by the strength of the people who lived there. Big Bend, the National Park named after a twist in the Rio Grande river, is particularly intriguing place that has inspired artists for generations.
Opportunities for beautiful images were everywhere and I thought about the possibility of moving to Marathon, Texas for a few months to explore the region and get to know the people there a little better. Marathon is a small town in West Texas, the closest population of any size to Big Bend. I had a day job at the time and despite the attraction of the region, I returned to it. Sometimes I think that was a mistake.
Unbeknownst to me another photographer, James Evans, had a similar experience. He stayed and made a life for himself in the region. That was nearly 30 years ago and he has used that time well to produce some amazing images.
He has produced at least one book, Big Bend, a series of black and white images published sometime around 2004. I came across a copy of the book by accident while checking out the latest exhibit at the Houston Center for Photography. He clearly has made the most of his time there and has produced some great material. I respect the images he has produced as well as his courage to pick up stakes and move from Austin, Texas to pursue a passion the region inspired in him.
In the prologue, Evans explains didn’t want to reproduce another pretty oversatured color book of Big Bend landscapes. “It’s been done a hundred times,” he writes. Instead, Evans spent his time there getting to know the people who lives in the region. I’m convinced the power of the images come from the familiarity he has developed with the people, something only time and dedication can produce. It reinforces my firm belief that the best portraits come from those who know their subjects.
You can order the book from his website: https://www.jameshevans.com/Subjects/thumbs. It’s definitely worth a look.