A Recap of 2024 - Photography by Brian Parton
2024 was an undeniably interesting year for me. As we have all learned in the last several years, life does what it wants to, often in unexpected ways. It doesn’t matter what you had carefully planned; life takes you along on its intricate journey, filled with both its accompanying highs and sobering lows. And boy, did 2024 bring forth some notable highs and equally significant lows for me in both my photography pursuits and my personal life as well. The year began on a remarkably high note with an amazing travel photography trip that was nothing short of inspiring. However, it twisted and turned throughout the year, presenting a couple of surprising challenges along the way. Ultimately, it concluded with a compressed spinal cord and the daunting news that I would be scheduled for a significant back surgery in early 2025.
But let's take a moment to travel back to the very beginning of 2024, shall we? I had just capped off an eventful year in 2023 with an exciting trip to the vibrant metropolis of New York City, and shortly thereafter, I hit the ground running in 2024 with not one, but two remarkable trips—one to the lively city of Nashville, Tennessee, and the other to the stunning island of Oahu in beautiful Hawaii.
First was the trip to Nashville in January. I traveled by bus to Nashville, where I spent an enjoyable 3 nights and 2 days immersing myself in the local culture. During my time there, I explored the vibrant downtown Nashville scene, both day and night, discovering all it had to offer. I indulged in some amazing food, including the famous Prince’s Nashville hot chicken, which was truly delicious, by the way. In addition to this spicy delight, I checked out several lively bars and honky tonks known for their great music and atmosphere. For the very first time on one of my travel trips, I was thrilled to be able to use my Potensic Atom drone to fly around the picturesque riverfront area, capturing stunning photographs and videos from the air!
Nashville is known for it’s vibrant nightlife and neon signage.
You can find live music all over Nashville, night or day.
People line up to enter the famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.
See more from Nashville and other places from 2024 here.
At the conclusion of my Nashville trip, I eagerly hopped on a flight to Honolulu, Hawaii, for a exciting week of exploring the beautiful Island of Oahu with my brother and his family, who was stationed there with the Army at the time. This trip marked my second visit to Oahu; my first experience was back in August of 2008, when I traveled there to photograph a wedding. It was both exciting and nostalgic to return and have the opportunity to explore the island once again, soaking in its culture and stunning scenery.
The week was filled with an abundance of fun and exhilarating adventure. From exploring scenic hiking trails that offered breathtaking views to discovering stunning cascading waterfalls. I also enjoyed snorkeling in crystal clear waters , teeming with marine life. During daylight hours, I wandered around the beautiful city of Honolulu, taking in the sights and sounds, while at night, I immersed myself in the tropical atmosphere of Waikiki. I visited a Buddhist temple, with its unique charm and history, and indulged in a variety of delicious uniquely Hawaiian foods such as moco loco and poke bowls. Throughout this amazing trip, I made it a priority to experience and photograph as much as possible, capturing the essence of of the island.
Nu’uanu Stream Waterfall
Sailboats in Front of Diamond Head Crater
Sunset Along the North Shore
Waikiki Beach at Night
A Rainbow Over Pearl Harbor
Zebra Doves
As amazing as all that was, my favorite part of the entire trip was spending a day at White Plains Beach taking both photographs and videos with AccesSurf, an inspiring organization that helps individuals with disabilities safely enjoy the experience of getting out and having fun in the water. It was truly incredible to see the genuine smiles on the faces of both the dedicated volunteers and the enthusiastic participants. This opportunity also expanded my horizons in photography, as it was my first time using a specialized dive housing to capture photos and video while out in the surf. It was such a unique and rewarding experience altogether, and I sincerely hope it's something I can have the privilege of repeating again one day in the future.
A young participant prepares to surf.
A participant and volunteers in the water.
Learn more about AccesSurf and their mission here. View full galleries from the Hawaii trip here.
After returning home from my unforgettable trip to Hawaii, things started taking a noticeable turn for the worse, both with my health and my photography endeavors. Worsening arthritis in my right hip, coupled with more serious issues, namely my degenerative disks in my lower back that were severely herniating, meant that my ability to engage in more traveling, along with extensive walking around and exploring beautiful landscapes, would soon become out of the question for a while. This rather challenging situation led me to seek out other creative ways I could continue pursuing my passion for photography that were less physically demanding. In an unexpected twist, Mother Nature ultimately ended up showing me the way forward.
In May of this year, an unusually strong solar flare generated an extraordinary display of auroras, creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience that was visible across all 50 states. Motivated by this rare opportunity, I eagerly set out my cameras to take stunning photos and captivating time lapses of a phenomenon I never imagined I would have the chance to witness unless I traveled all the way to Alaska or Canada. From that moment on, I was instantly hooked on the fascinating world of night sky observation and astrophotography. Throughout the year, I managed to capture these breathtaking auroras on camera in northern Alabama not just once, but on THREE separate occasions. It was absolutely incredible and left me in awe!
Through the month of July, I conducted a fundraiser, and thanks to the generous donations from numerous followers, friends, and family members, I was able to purchase several pieces of dedicated astrophotography gear. Throughout the year, various night sky events provided me with the opportunity to practice my skills and capture some truly fascinating images of the stunning auroras, two comets, mesmerizing meteor showers, highly detailed photos of the moon, and even sunspots gracefully marching across the surface of the sun!
May Aurora Borealis
Full Moon Rising
Comet T-Atlas October 19th
Sunspots
October Aurora Borealis with Star Trails
Late in the year, I made a conscious decision to embark on a couple of travel photography style day trips, utilizing only my Google Pixel 8 Pro as my sole camera. I spent one afternoon exploring the sights in Talladega, Alabama, and then moved on to spend another afternoon in Birmingham, Alabama. To my pleasant surprise, I am honestly quite impressed with the quality of the photos I managed to capture during these excursions. The convenience of using only my phone, without the burden of carrying many additional pounds of heavy photography gear, allowed me the freedom to move around more comfortably without causing myself too much unnecessary pain and discomfort. This experience was ultimately quite encouraging, and it might very well be something I consider doing more of in the future.
Birmingham, AL
Talladega, AL
Birmingham, AL
Talladega, AL
In June, I began the comprehensive process of obtaining x-rays and MRIs conducted on multiple joints, along with my neck and lower back, while also seeking referrals to consult with orthopedic specialists and neurosurgeons at the VA facility located in Birmingham. I found that the arthritis in my hip had unfortunately worsened somewhat, in addition to receiving a new diagnosis of mild arthritis in one of my shoulders. Thankfully, the degenerative disks in my neck that have been causing irritation to the nerves serving my arms and hands have not shown any signs of worsening, albeit they are not improving either. However, it is concerning to note that the degenerative disks in my lower back have deteriorated significantly, leading to a condition where my spinal cord is now compressed. Later this month (Jan 2025), I will undergo a back surgery aimed at relieving the pressure on my spinal cord and nerves, as well as fusing some of the affected vertebrae to provide stability. This will be my third lower back surgery since 2006.
What crazy news to receive as we cap off the end of 2024, and to establish the tone for the start of 2025. I am embracing this news with a sense of optimism and hope. Despite the pain I am currently experiencing and the challenges of recovery that will stem from the surgery ahead, I remain hopeful that after the healing process, I will once again be able to return to the greater levels of activity I enjoyed during my trips to Nashville and Hawaii in early 2024. So, stick around, and let's all face together what (hopefully) wonderful experiences 2025 has to offer! Thank you sincerely for following along on this journey; your support truly means the world to me!
I may earn a commission from purchases you make using one of my affiliate links.
