Oden AR

Alex Yu

April 2024

I had a business trip in Texas during the second week of April, and I utilized this opportunity to photograph the 2024 total solar eclipse. However, the Texan skies were overcast, thus impeding visibility. To rectify the situation, my friend and I redirected our journey to Oden, Arkansas. While Texas experienced intermittent cloud cover, allowing glimpses of the eclipse, Oden had a clear sky throughout the event. Preparing for this rare celestial spectacle demanded a lot of planning. Securing an optimal vantage point was paramount, alongside ensuring the proper solar eclipse filter. The filter cannot fit into my 600 mm lenses, but thankfully, my resourceful wife crafted a homemade adaptor, facilitating the photography process.

 

Many photos capture a total solar eclipse as a dark circle with light emanating from its edges, undoubtedly striking and awe-inspiring. However, I tried to offer a different perspective. I found that the instant when the solar eclipse began to break apart, and light leaked from the circle was equally captivating. While the last two photos on this page have been enhanced, the colors are natural and authentic, providing a visually intriguing scene.