26 Friday Sep 2014
Posted in Maryland, The Delmarva Review, Uncategorized, Writing
Tags
Delaware, District of Columbia, Eastern Shore Writers Association, Fiction, Literary Review, Maryland, Nonfiction, Poetry, The Delmarva Review, Virginia, Washington, Writers
Covers of The Delmarva Review
Coming in October, the seventh edition of The Delmarva Review literary journal features the work of 40 contributors from 14 states, Washington, D.C., and Italy. Website http://www.delmarvareview.com. More news to come.
24 Monday Feb 2014
Tags
Annapolis, Best of Maryland Mentor Series, Chesapeake Bay, Dawn, Eastern Shore, Inspiration, Kentucky, Landscape and Nature Photography, Maryland, Natural Light, Nikon, Popular Photography Magazine, Pursuit of Beauty, St. Michaels, The Courier-Journal, The Writer's Center
Another book review of Chesapeake Views – Catching the Light. Thank you to Dara McBride, Feature Editor at The Cecil Whig, for the current article.
Chesapeake at Dawn, Thomas Point Light – One of the images before the cover shot for the book. Click on the image for a full view
This is the third consecutive book review and interview by an editor recently, all unsolicited. As a photographer and writer, I’m delighted. In fairness, I must give most of the credit to the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay region. My contribution is a click of the shutter, a blink of the eye.
The published interview follows:
Photographer Wilson Wyatt catches Chesapeake moments By Dara McBride, dmcbride@cecilwhig.com | Wednesday, February 19, 2014
ST. MICHAELS — At just the right moment, with just the right light, photographer Wilson Wyatt can get the shot no one else can.
Out of 27 photographers taking photos of the Thomas Point Shoal Light, the historical Chesapeake Bay lighthouse, at dawn one morning, Wyatt walked away with the award-winning shot. After waiting for the sun to hit the roofline of the lighthouse, Wyatt captured the meeting of a cruise ship and tanker as they sky turned tangerine.
“Photography, for me, is purely a pursuit of beauty,” said Wyatt, 70, of St. Michaels. “A pursuit of passion and beauty, those are the things that make life worthwhile.”
The Chesapeake region has its own unique beauty, one that Wyatt has tried to capture as a photographer in his latest book, “Chesapeake Views — Catching the Light.” The scene of the Thomas Point Shoal Light, which won the Nikon Mentor Series “Best of Maryland” photo, is the cover of the book.
For area residents, the book is filled with familiar sights of the Eastern Shore, of lighthouses, sailboats and sunsets over water. The tabletop book includes 82 color images taken of the Chesapeake and Eastern Shore region. Also included in the book is information on where and how many of the images were taken.
Enchanted by the bay area, Wyatt and his wife decided to move to the Chesapeake region about 15 years ago.
Although now a skilled photographer, Wyatt started on the other side of communications: writing.
He started his career as a reporter and feature writer at The Courier-Journal in Kentucky and, intrigued by the skill of the newspaper’s photographers, took up photography as a hobby. He said he learned photography by studying the works of others and critique from mentors.
Over the years he has balanced both photography and writing. Right now, he is executive editor of literary journal The Delmarva Review and is active on the board of The Writer’s Center, in the Washington, D.C. area.
Today, he’s the one teaching the photography skills. As president of the Academy for Lifelong Learning at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, he leads spring classes in beginner and intermediate digital photography. He reminds himself and students that photography can be a demanding art.
Wyatt focuses on light in his series of Chesapeake photos. Photography is more than pointing a camera and pushing a button, he said. Photography is about catching light, the colors that make up a scene, how light bounces off clouds and waiting for the moment for it all to come together.
“I am definitely a morning person,” Wyatt said, commenting on his favorite time of the day to shoot. There are three stages of light to shoot in the morning, he explained: predawn light, the reflection on clouds before sunrise and the sunrise itself.
Photography is “a constant discovery,” Wyatt said.
“It’s always a challenge, and I wish I could go back and take many of the photos I took years ago again because I’ve gotten better,” said Wyatt.
In addition to “Chesapeake Views,” Wyatt has published another hardback book of his color photography in 2011, “Yosemite – Catching the Light.” He also publishes a blog on his experiences, Writing & Photography – the Art of Words and Images, at www.wilsonwyattjr.com.
For the full article in The Cecil Whig, go to:
Book Availability:
‘Chesapeake Views—Catching the Light,’ is available at Talbot County Public Libraries, the News Center, in Easton, MD and Mystery Loves Company, in Oxford, MD. For more information about signed copies of the book, contact the author directly by email at: wwwyatt2@gmail.com.
November Reflection, from “Chesapeake Views – Catching the Light” click on image for a larger view
30 Monday Dec 2013
My photo, “Winter Cardinal,” is the cover of Chesapeake 360‘s January 2014 issue. Another image, “December Reflections,” illustrates a full-page article on Chesapeake Views – Catching the Light. Thank you to The Star Democrat newspaper, on the Eastern Shore, for sharing these photographs of the Chesapeake Bay region. As I say in my book, “Photography is all about working with light, a mere blink of light, measured in time. The camera is a kind of clock.”
“Winter Cardinal,” by Wilson Wyatt Jr., cover image on Chesapeake 360, January 2014 – Click on image for full view
“December Reflection” photo and article in Chesapeake 360 – Click on image for full view
12 Thursday Dec 2013
Tags
Book Review, Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Views - Catching the Light, Eastern Shore, Exhibition, James Dissette, Macro Photography, Maryland, Photography Book, Sunrises, Sunsets, The Talbot Spy, Thomas Point Lighthouse, Watermen, Wildlife Photos
It’s a pleasure to receive a review by James Dissette, publisher of The Talbot Spy (go to: http://talbotspy.com/chesapeake-views-captures-shore-beauty/).
He writes:
Sometimes we have to see through someone else’s eyes to newly appreciate the world at hand. Our workaday lives can dull our appreciation for the rich visual palette the Shore has to offer: the omnipresent Bay; the web of tributaries twisting through panoramas of forest and field; its vast array of marine, field and forest wildlife.
Good photographic images reintroduce us to the world around us. They are both a re-visiting and a discovery, and leave us wanting to explore with a refreshed curiosity. Wilson Wyatt’s collection of Eastern Shore photographs, “Chesapeake Views—Catching the Light,” is an invitation to rediscover the Eastern Shore, and sometimes discover facets of it for the first time.
December Reflection – Click on image for larger view
While there are many wonderful wildlife photos, from soaring osprey to graceful mute swans, fawns silhouetted by orange dawns, along with a gallery of exquisite macro-images of butterflies in a section Wyatt calls “All the Little Live Things,” the spirit of the book glows within its selection of purely Eastern Shore motifs—fog-shrouded waterman tonging for oysters, fiery sunrises spilling gold across still rivers, a sailboat limned by the setting sun or a heron poised like a sentinel on the bow of a fishing boat.
Tonging for Oysters II – Click on image for larger view
Each image has a caption—some with technical advice for fellow photogs—poetically describing the image. The distinct captions become a helpful narrative for the reader. It’s a bit like walking through an art exhibition with a friendly and articulate tour guide.
Sunrise at Thomas Point Lighthouse (cover photo), by Wilson Wyatt jr. – Click on image for larger view
Thank you for a delightful book review on The Talbot Spy! For more about the book, see “About,” on this blog.
03 Tuesday Dec 2013
Posted in Inspiration, The Delmarva Review, Uncategorized, Writing
Tags
Authors, Book Reviews, Creative Nonfiction, Eastern Shore Writers Association, Editors, Fiction, Inspiration, Literary Reviews, Literary Writing, Maryland, Poetry, Recognition, Submissions, The Delmarva Review, The Pushcart Prize, Writers
The Delmarva Review nominated the writing of six authors for The Pushcart Prize. It’s one of the greatest pleasures an editor can experience, recognizing the writers among the best, all in contention with other selected authors around the nation, their work competing for the coveted Pushcart Prize.
Being nominated for a prestigious literary prize gives authors more than recognition. It propels their work to another level of discovery. It’s a powerful incentive for writers to seek the best in literary writing, one of the primary purposes of the Review.
Personally, this caps a long year of hard work. A gifted team of editors, all skilled volunteers, can appreciate our selection of poetry and prose, all over again. We’ve gone through the difficult task of reading hundreds of submissions, making tough choices, accepting and rejecting the words that so many authors have labored over, sometimes for years.
The selection process was followed by the careful eyes of our copy editor, proofreaders, and designer. All of us felt an obligation to print a quality journal that respected the words of our authors. This often goes unnoticed, but a fine literary review is not just glued together and haphazardly sent to readers or posted online. It takes time, and a creative, caring hand.
The pleasure we feel today is from knowing that our authors appreciate their opportunity. It’s now up to another set of editors to make their choices. We’ll know next year.
The Delmarva Review nominations include:
– “Writing My Way Home,” a personal essay by combat veteran Ron Capps
– “Melissa,” a poem by William Peak
– “Immigrant,” a poem by Holly Karapetkova
– “November Morning,” a prose poem by Devon Miller-Duggan
– “Dioscuri,” a poem by Paul Otremba
– “Flowers Scarcely Withered,” a short story by Nancy Ford Dugan
Thank you to Pushcart Press for its continued support of literary work published in the small presses. And, thank you to a gifted team at The Delmarva Review…and to our sponsor, the Eastern Shore Writers Association. For more about the Review, copies, and submission guidelines, please see the website: www.delmarvareview.com.
09 Saturday Nov 2013
Tags
Book Signing, Chesapeake Bay, Delmarva Peninsula, Easton, Maryland, Photography, Publishing, Writers, Writing
Book signings are akin to opening night at the theatre. Theatre is involved, with a few opening lines…and there is a set, of sorts: a draped table with one’s books spread out for viewing, a pen, and there is a simple wooden chair for the author. Props are sparse.
Author-photographer Wilson Wyatt, Jr. at a book signing for “Chesapeake Views – Catching the Light,” 2013, at The News Center, in Easton, MD. – Photo by Katie Wyatt
The real likeness to theatre comes when the curtain is raised. For the first time, the book is presented to the public. All the hard work of writing…or photographing, in my case…the editing, proofs, design, printing, and finally the promotion and distribution, it’s all done, waiting for the first public viewing. The author sits at the table waiting for the audience. Imagine what actors feel, that tumbling in the gut, before the lights. Will they engage their audience?
Yet, when the curtain is raised and the lights are turned on, the energy transforms us. It’s a special feeling. The hour has arrived.
Today was that special time. The audience trailed in, composed of friends and strangers, alike. They picked up the books, opened the pages and sampled my photography. Some read the descriptive narrative. We talked about the unique qualities of the book and how the images were taken. Then, the magic words…I want your book. Will you sign it for me?
It was a good day for an opening. I take a bow to all who bought my book and hope you enjoy Chesapeake Views-Catching the Light. Its 82 images are from my interpretation to your imagination, now and for years to come. Thank you.
Signing “Chesapeake Views – Catching the Light,” 2013 – Photo by Katie Wyatt
25 Thursday Jul 2013
Tags
Bay to Ocean Writers Conference, Book Clubs, Critique Groups, Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, Eastern Shore Writers Association, Literary Journal, Maryland, Poetry, Prose, Readers, Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild, The Delmarva Review, Virginia, Writer's Community, Writers, Writing Workshops
Wilson Wyatt Interviewed – The Talbot Spy
Video interview, by The Talbot Spy, highlights the significance of a growing “writers’ community” across the tri-state Delmarva Peninsula. Part 2, Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GWoGf1Y4DI
Today’s digital age gives local writers everywhere the ability to reach a worldwide audience. Regional borders are disappearing. This technological phenomenon, combined with dedicated volunteers, has spawned a vibrant writer’s community across the Delmarva region of Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia.
The Eastern Shore Writers Association (ESWA), Bay to Ocean Writers Conference, new critique groups, writers’ workshops, book clubs, Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild (RBWG) and many writers’ groups are growing at a healthy pace in the region. Website www.easternshorewriters.org.
The Delmarva Review, in its sixth year as a quality literary journal, is attracting prose and poetry submissions from hundreds of writers across the U.S., far beyond regional borders. Website www.delmarvareview.com
It’s a wonderful time to be a writer. Of course, along with opportunities for writers to reach a vastly greater readership, the Internet also gives readers more reading choices than ever before. The quality of writing has never been more important, as readers become the discerning gatekeepers of good writing.
The strength of an active writers’ community is writers inspiring each other to improve their work, share marketing and distribution experiences, and become successful.
These and other subjects were discussed in the two video interviews by The Talbot Spy: http://talbotspy.com/arts-2/
28 Friday Jun 2013
Tags
Bay to Ocean Writers Conference, Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, Eastern Shore, Eastern Shore Writers Association, Jim Dissette, Maryland, Talbot Spy, The Delmarva Review, Virginia, Volunteering, Wilson Wyatt, Writer's Community
Wilson Wyatt, “Man of Words”
The strength of a writers’ community is the support it provides writers, chiefly from other writers, editors, and educators…in the forms of learning, improving, and sharing our experienced information. We give to enrich each other. Our rewards are immeasurable. An example of a thriving writer’s community is on the Delmarva Peninsula, home of the Eastern Shore Writers Association, The Delmarva Review (a literary journal), the Bay to Ocean Writers Conference, critique groups, and many other organized opportunities for writers…all provided by volunteers. This is one of the messages in Part 1 of a video interview by Talbot Spy and Spy Publications publisher, James Dissette.
You can find the interview on Talbot Spy.com, at the following link (or you can paste in your browser).
Or…link to YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3Y0SfcNIJc
07 Friday Jun 2013
Posted in Inspiration, The Delmarva Review, Uncategorized, Writing
Tags
Books, Borders, Combat Veterans, Delmarva Peninsula, Eastern Shore Writers Association, Healing, Maryland, Novels, Personal Essay, Poetry, Public Radio Delmarva, Publishing, Ron Capps, Salisbury, Veteran's Writing Project, veteranswriting.org, War, Writers, Writing Community, WSDL, www.delmarvapublicradio.net
Hal Wilson, left, of the Eastern Shore Writers Association, interviews Ron Capps in Public Radio Delmarva’s studio (WSDL-FM, Salisbury). – Photographed by Wilson Wyatt
Several friends are currently publishing their literary work. With each, a writing community contributes to the achievement.
I think of this from time to time. Why do I volunteer to help other writers? Does a writers’ community really benefit writers?
The answers are powerful affirmations.
A writer once told me of a desire to publish more work in local publications, but opportunities were diminishing. Does that sound familiar? I asked why he was thinking locally when he could consider a much larger universe…beyond local borders. A little nudging, and assurances from a larger community of writers, expanded his vision and potential. His determination was fueled for the hard work to complete and publish books capable of reaching a vastly greater audience…now a major accomplishment for the author.
Another example is about a combat veteran of five wars, Ron Capps. Parts of his story have been told in the national media and are still being unveiled.
As a very capable writer, Ron decided to use writing to apply his experiences to three new and meaningful purposes. First, writing enabled him to face and manage the horrors of combat that were relived in his mind daily. It was a means of confronting and healing. Appreciating this strength, he initiated a major project to teach other combat veterans, and their families, writing techniques for their healing and expression.
He recognized the value to show the rest of the world, through veterans’ writing, that there were other costs of war we don’t think about, that aren’t reported by the daily media. Only one percent of Americans are engaged in military duty today. Combat veterans, through writing, can “bear witness” for us to comprehend the personal impact of combat and war. As a society, we can become better informed before making decisions about going to war.
This week, two of us from the Eastern Shore Writers Association, hosted Ron at the Public Radio Delmarva station (WSDL-FM) in Salisbury, Maryland, to record a special radio segment, “The Writer’s Edition,” about his experiences and inspiration to create the Veteran’s Writing Project, veteranswriting.org. It will air on June 28, contributing his message to a new audience.
Ron Capps also wrote a powerful personal essay that will be published in The Delmarva Review’s sixth edition, in October, expanding the reach of his story among literary readers (www.delmarvareview.com).
These stories “bear witness” to a writing community helping writers in their work while contributing something meaningful to a far greater audience. The value of a writing community transcends us…it transcends borders.
03 Friday May 2013
Posted in Chesapeake Bay, Inspiration, Photography
Tags
Academy for Lifelong Learning, Cameras, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Classes, Composition, Critiquing, Digital, Kate Mann, Landscapes, Learning, Maryland, Photography, Portraits, Robert Lippson, Smart Phones, St. Michaels, Tablets, Travel Photography
I was pleased to be joined by two other photographers, Robert Lippson and Kate Mann, offering a three-day course on “Digital Photography for Beginners,” at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, in St. Michaels, Maryland. We had some fun demystifying new technology, showing how to take advantage of the latest in digital photography, from cameras to smart phones, and everything between.
The “hands-on” course was designed for anyone wanting to improve their photography. Like other arts or crafts, we start with the “tools.” Instead of paints and brushes, we use a camera and lens. Once we understand the strengths of our tools, creativity is set free. Photography is about playing with light.
Three classes (on May 10, 17, and 24) were divided between classroom discussion and shooting in the field, on the beautiful campus of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Offered as part of the Academy for Lifelong Learning, 30 students learned and enjoyed sharing their results. The course sold out, with a waiting list. We will consider repeating it in the future.
WILSON WYATT JR 