The Sound of Silence: A Journey of Recovery

Combining poetic prose and breathtaking photography, Fred Hunt takes the reader on an inspiring journey through the beautiful American Southwest. Sharing his thoughts and unique photographic vision, he comes to terms with alcoholism, recovery, and the early demise of close friends from the disease of alcoholism. In 2010, Fred Hunt had given up being a photographer. Writing and creating art were painful memories, belonging to someone he thought he'd lost forever. On October 31, 2010, Hunt sought help at Valley Hope Treatment Center, and it saved his life. In the seven months that followed, he took the journey covered in this book, and lost two close friends to the disease of alcoholism.

"It is a journey of experience, strength and hope. I went from nearly dying, to seeing the world in bright colors. I still wonder why I am alive and my friends are not. I can only guess I simply got help in time. I hope this book can inspire someone to do the same."
- Fred Hunt

The Sound of Silence: A Journey of Recovery contains 67 pages of the author's trip through the Four Corners area including Southeastern Colorado, Northern New Mexico and Arizona and South Central Utah. There are 25 original images of the Southwest seen through Hunt’s colorful vision side-by-side with 25 pieces of his own prose. The story of Fred Hunt’s journey of recovery and loss is told near the end, and is followed by an emotional message to his Mother and all mothers. The book will truly touch your heart and soul.

Fred Hunt's passion for photography started at a young age, and he distinctly remembers when and why. His mother had taken him to the Medicine Lodge Indian Peace Treaty Pageant. He still remembers how terribly frustrating it was taking pictures with an old Brownie Starflash camera (yes, the kind you put the end of flashbulb in your mouth to make sure it would go off). He could see in his mind what he wanted, but he couldn't capture it with the old Brownie. From that weekend on, he delivered multiple newspaper routes to raise money for a 35mm SLR. Under the tutelage of Jack Jackson, his photography advanced in 4-H and by the time he started high school, he was a full-on "shutterbug." Cyndi Danner-Kuhn's journalism classes at Hays High took photography to a whole new level for him and introduced him to writing. He loved photojournalism and working in the darkroom. He bought his first set of studio lights in high school and built his own darkroom. He shot his first weddings and many senior pictures while still in high school. At Fort Hays State University, he worked on both student publications, eventually holding most positions on The University Leader staff including Editor-in-chief. In 1996 he was named Collegiate Journalist of the Year by the Kansas Associated Collegiate Press (4 Year Newspaper Division). While in college, he served several internships at the Hays Daily News under Steve Hausler and Charlie Riedel. He was also privileged to work as the fine art printer for Leon Stabb of Pioneer Photography. Since graduating FHSU, he has worked 15 years professionally as a photojournalist, wedding and portrait photographer.. He was photo editor and contributing writer for 6 years at the Independence Daily Reporter and went on to do freelance work in central Florida for 5 years until returning home to Kansas and began work as photographer and new media director at the Hays Daily News. He has done corporate work for Cessna Aircraft Co. & Cisco. His editorial work has been published in The New York Times, USA Today, ESPN USA, Washington Post, Seattle Times, Salt Lake Tribune & Boston Globe and many others. Fred Hunt continues to freelance for The New York Times and Nex-Tech TV but focuses mainly on working with mixed media and shooting specifically for himself. The Sound of Silence has been a year long project for him both in art pieces and the book. His next project, Inner Worlds, will also involve a lot of mixed media and unique photography.