Byron O'Neal Photography

11/17/2020

I'm working up a series of images from a visit to Salvation Mountain from a few years ago. The juxtaposition of the chair and the two vehicle doors is an interesting visual reference to the holy trinity to me. Salvation is inherently an invitation and the chair echoes that same sentiment. As the place itself hits you over the head with Christian imagery, I wanted to work on this one first as its visual queuing does much the same.
Good day all.

08/12/2020

White Sands National Park is covering the Perseid Meteor Shower tonight online. Park rangers will be virtually available on the White Sands' Instagram channel (www.instagram.com/whitesandsnps) tonight from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. MDT to chat and share your experience watching the meteor shower.

Stay on top of the annual Perseid Meteor showers without leaving home by tuning into the virtual presentation being offered by White Sands National Park in New Mexico.

07/31/2020

I love to see movement away from turf grass. Thank you Trinity College Dublin!

“Delighted to see our new wildflower turf rolled out on College Green today. All made possible by the 12,496 Trinity students, staff and members of the public who voted in favour of the move! ”

06/30/2020

I’ve recommitted to trying to focus on the things that matter most to me, in this case photography and preserving nature, and to stop the doomscrolling. I cracked this open the other day.

It reads like a long National Geographic magazine feature which isn’t all that surprising considering its genesis. Most of the information isn’t new to me as I follow developments in our National Park system closely but it’s given me a bit of breath and perspective in the craziness that has been 2020 for us all.

06/28/2020

Tillandsia Recurvifolia Var. Subsecundifolia
One of my air plants is flowering so a macro session seemed in order.

06/26/2020

Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park
I needed to create something after spending a couple of hours working through Summer Math with kiddo. I don't think I'm a natural Math teacher. It makes me really appreciate my dad and all the years he put into teaching it.

03/27/2020

My Wave
I wanted to make something more calming today. I'm not sure I hit that mark personally as working on a what to me was a wave made me think of Chris Cornell and for those of you who are Soundgarden fans, that will echo with the song of the same name which got stuck in my head (and now yours, welcome.)

I really like the 2:1 ratio of this piece and frankly I like the ratio in general. It just looks so good on a wall and that's what I'm after ultimately.

For me, the onset of COVID in America has stimulated a creative spark. For that, I'm grateful as I try to seek to find the positives in an otherwise depression state of affairs. I really appreciate seeing the work of my fellow artists I'm connected to here on Facebook. Their spirit seeps through the screen and it inspires me. Thank you and keep it up!

Be well, stay safe and good weekend all.

03/26/2020

Harnessing Chi
I wanted to create something to express how I'm adapting to all the recent craziness and how I am trying to control my own outlook and emotions using daily mindfulness and yoga.

You never quite know how the wind furies will manifest in the smoke and it takes the consideration of hundreds of images to get something I know I want to work with and even then sometimes I end up trashing the results. This started off differently but with the useful advice of my spouse it looks now less alien, I think. A quick summation is good vibes in, good vibes out. I endeavor to remain positive and try to promote that into the world. That said, these things are always completely open to interpretation so see what you will in it.

Be well, stay safe.

03/23/2020

"Hijacked" - Smoke Study
Creating something new while we all adapt to the challenges of the health crisis. If you are going to be stuck inside, make something beautiful.

11/14/2019

Sieur De Monts woods in Acadia National Park

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order."
- John Burroughs

10/16/2019

Park Loop Road Sunrise in Acadia National Park

"Be patient where you sit in the dark. The dawn is coming."
-Rumi

I worked this up after attending the DxO online webinar this morning about using their Nik Collection by DxO software for fall images. It's definitely worth sitting in on one of these or checking it out later on their YouTube channel. The control point system is pretty easy to pick up for almost anyone and it will make you images better with a little bit of trial and error but that's when it's fun.

10/15/2019

"Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don't just give up." - Steven Hawking