If you’ve been keeping up with The Chatham Voice, you’ve seen the stunning photos taken by amateur and self-taught photographer Kyle Wicks.
Most people remember the young man and his friends who took incredible night shots from atop the condo project on King Street in Chatham two years ago, despite the fact they were technically trespassing. His postings on social media of those night images of downtown Chatham got hits galore because it was a captivating look of our city at night from a viewpoint no one had experienced before.
What is remarkable about Kyle is he only picked up a camera in earnest a little more than two years ago; his natural talent for finding and framing amazing outdoor shots is obvious.
There are several examples in the area of great photographers, from John Lyons and his unique and beautiful wedding shots, to Dawne Mudford and her incredible photos of her horses and shots taken while kayaking the waterways near Wallaceburg. Need we mention the likes of Brent Foster and Larry Towell, professional shooters with local roots who have had their work published in TIME, Rolling Stone, the L.A. Times and the New York Times?
Photography is an art form just like painting or sculpting. Great photos, like great paintings, can make us feel on so many levels. In Chatham-Kent, we may not have the Rocky Mountains, but we do have access to two great lakes, lush and fertile farmland and conservation areas rife with wildlife.
It’s interesting to see the works of people such as Wicks, who showcase the beauty all around us. Their photos are indeed worth 1,000 words, oftentimes quieting the naysayers out there. You know, the ones who said the Boardwalk on the Thames was an ugly behemoth that’s a blot on the downtown skyline? Wicks’ photos high atop that building showed us all the beauty of Chatham, smack dab in the middle of winter.
His recent winter images in Erieau show that the village offers year round beauty to anyone willing to look for it.
Yes, many of Wicks’ shots are from outside Chatham-Kent, as he loves the outdoors and loves to travel. But a great many are from here at home, showcasing the simple beauty of a sunset, or shards of ice on a frozen lake.
We thank him for showcasing that beauty to the rest of us.
