Today (August 9, 2010) is the fifth anniversary of the passing of Arnout “Sonny” Hyde, Jr., West Virginia’s preeminent outdoor photographer and the founder and editor of Wonderful West Virginia, the state magazine of the State of West Virginia.  Mr. Hyde’s photography in WWV was my inspiration to become an outdoor photographer and I am not alone in that regard.  My friends Steve Shaluta, Bryan Lemasters, and Roger Spencer, each a well-known West Virginia photographer, were inspired by him as well. 

When viewing and admiring his photographs in the mid-1970s I had no idea that one day I would consider him a mentor and a friend.  Having one of my images printed in Wonderful West Virginia was a primary goal from the beginning of my interest in outdoor photography.  Mr. Hyde published my photograph of a sunset over the Ohio River in May 1986 and to this day that remains my biggest photographic thrill.  Thanks to Mr. Hyde I have had the honor of my images being seen in Wonderful West Virginia for nearly 25 years. 

Mr. Hyde was always kind to me and was a constant source of encouragement, as I know he was to others.  Without him, I would not enjoyed the solitude and beauty of the wonderful places to which my pursuit of beautiful images has taken me.  I thank him for that.   He is missed, but I know his spirit lives on in photographs taken by me and many others who were likewise inspired by him.

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