BOYNTON BEACH, FL--On this Veteran's Day, a Wellington man seeks to honor the men and women who have served in our combat forces. He's using his photography to bring awareness to causes dear to his heart. And he needs the public's help.
"I sufferer from schizophrenia. My only sanction is to ask God."
This is how Jerry Robinov saw the clients at the West Palm Beach Peer Place, a center reaching out to those living with mental illness.
His simple black and white images, accompanied by personal essays, depict a world many of us neither see nor understand.. and helped raise both funds and awareness.
Jerry Robinov says: "I used "Faces of the Mind" to put a light on the mentally ill in West Palm Beach that are not seen by the public. They are walked by. They are not treated with respect and dignity they would like to have."
Now, the 78-year old photographer turns his camera on "Faces of War", combat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, battling new adversaries.
"They are heroes when they're called in," says Jerry, "but things are very quiet when they're called home. Especially the soldiers who are amputees, those with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. They need help."
While looking at the markers at a veteran's cemetery, Jerry commented: "You know, to see all the sacrifices that were made. It just has me in awe."
It is easy to find inspiration for Robinov's work among the white tombstones of South Florida's war dead. What hasn't been easy is finding subjects.
Jerry tells us: "If I go to the V-A hospital.. it's confidential."
This Korean war vet desperately needs volunteers for his project, especially African American, Hispanic and Asian subjects. People of color who served just as courageously as Caucasion forces.
Fascinated by photography since he was a boy, Robinov explains his goal was always to be more than a picture-taker.
This Korean War vet calls "Faces of War" photography for a cause.. and looks at it as his way of giving back to veterans and giving back to his community.
For more on Jerry Robinov's photography, click here. Or you can call him at (207) 233-2044.
