Arnout "Sonny" Hyde, Jr. - "West Virginia's Photographer"
(August 9, 2005)

My friend, Clayton Spangler, passed on some very sad news today that Arnout "Sonny" Hyde, Jr. had passed away.  I never met Mr. Hyde.  I certainly know him.  Simply said that while others may be called "West Virginia Photographers", Mr. Hyde was "West Virginia's Photographer."  What a wonderful legacy he has left behind as the photographic diplomat of our great and beautiful state.  There are few lives in this state that his artistry has not touched.  Before I was a student of photography, I was impacted by the beauty of his photography.  He took me to places I had never been in the "mountain state" and planted within me a desire to see those places with my own eyes.  Countless citizens of our state from young to old have only "seen" West Virginia through Mr. Hyde's eyes and camera.  I think that is the beauty of photography, we can know the photographer, his/her spirituality, through the photographs they present.  Perhaps that is too simple or too assumptive, but my impression of Mr. Hyde is that he must have been a very special friend and parent.  It would be impossible to estimate the impact his vision has had on photographers both within and outside of West Virginia.  I know I join the chorus of dozens if not hundreds of photographers today who lift up a great prayer of thanksgiving for the life of Mr. Hyde.  Thank you for the commitment to photographic excellence. for getting up early and staying out late, for sharing your passion for West Virginia's beauty with so many others, and for the wonderful legacy you have left for other West Virginia photographers.  Today is a sad day with the loss of Mr. Hyde, but we rejoice upon reflection on the life that he lived as a great photographic artist who brought the beauty of West Virginia to all of her citizens and to the world.  Thank you Mr. Hyde and may your family find comfort and peace.
For a report from Channel 8 news in Charleston on Mr. Hyde please see this link:
http://www.wchstv.com/traveling/2005/twv050811.shtml

http://www.wonderfulwv.com/

http://www.hydephoto.com/