We caught up with the brilliant and insightful TR Barnard a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

TR, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I never would have thought that FAMILY would be considered an obstacle to creativity. But now I have to wonder. Did my ultra conservative stay at home mom, and my wonderful, funny, support the family dad have dreams beyond what we knew? Both were creative in their own ways, but raising the family, paying the bills, keeping the house – all those responsibilities were what I grew up with and what was expected of me, as well. Then there was always trying my best to please my dad, and often getting in trouble when I didn’t – can anyone say perfectionist?

So now, after a 30 year postal career, and raising a family of my own, there is a war within me to keep doing the “right” thing vs just getting out and taking pictures – often wondering what “Daddy would think,” though he’s been gone since well before I fell in love with the night sky. There are still bills to pay, dog(and spouse) to feed, grown and grand kids to help when they need it.
Obstacles? Yes, but love them all – and they are (mostly) supportive of my creative efforts when they don’t need something else.

I had just retired in 2020, with nowhere to go – pretty much everything was shut down. Learning that the Comet Neowise might be visible, I decided to try my hand at photographing it. I had a decent DSLR, after all, so I started trying to figure it out – I had no idea that night photography was a “thing!” Little did I know! I will always remember standing on the dam above the local lake, and my absolute giddiness when that comet showed up on my camera screen – my journey had begun!

The internet would not have been a tool for me had I discovered any of this earlier in my life, but has been a terrific study aid in my quest to teach myself nightscape photography. My dad’s dogged perfectionism, once loathed, stands me now in good stead – leave no stone unturned in finding more and better ways of doing something. Workshops, phone apps, online courses – all are helpful, but my favorite way to get better is to just get out there and do it, weather permitting.

Yes, weather, too, can be a tremendous obstacle. Photographing the Milky Way under 100% cloud cover is pretty much impossible, and as much as I love the night sky, I prefer that it be clear, and the weather be pleasant. Someone else will have to chase the storms.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Leonardo DaVinci said “Once you have tasted the taste of sky you will forever look up.”

But as they look, many people notice only the brightest stars, or the full moon, or an occasional falling star.

Since the first appearance of that comet in my camera, I’ve been inspired by the wonders of the night sky – to seek the beauty of the ethereal above, intersected with the earthly connections at our feet.

I want my viewers to feel that they, too, can get away from city lights and go where the darkest of night’s skies are lit by the stars, the moon and galaxies beyond, and remember how we all see the same sky regardless of who or where we are.

In today’s fast paced world, where sleeping under the stars is usually a luxury, my prints offer a window into the magic of the night, allowing the stars to share their secrets.

The Latin phrase “in noctem” loosely translates as into the night, or seize the night.
I created brand – inphotonoctem – to mean seize the night ~ with camera in hand.

Sarah Williams’ thoughts in 1868 could well be my own:
Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light.
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.
from The Old Astronomer to His Pupil

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Sharing the beauty of the night sky with people who may never see it as I do is an honor. I’ve discovered a peace and serenity in the velvety darkness that was never before a part of my life. The sights and sounds of the silence around me awaken all my senses and fill my heart with a new contentment.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I’ve been asked why I’m not afraid to be out in the dark overnight. I must say I’ve never really felt unsafe. I almost got my truck stuck once – I really didn’t relish the idea of calling home and asking for help at 2 in the morning! But then I remembered I had 4 wheel drive and was able to get turned around and back onto firmer ground.

I often hear coyotes in the distance, and owls in the trees, and skunks have waddled by a couple of times, but at a respectable distance for both of us.

I do make sure that someone knows where I plan to be for the night, and about how long I’ll be out there. If I don’t show up the next morning I figure they know where to look, but I’ve been blessed to safely return to daylight each time.

I often choose not to “go with the flow.” While those around me shoot Canon, Nikon, Sony or mirrorless, I stay with the Pentax platform. It’s what my dad had years ago, and I can still use his old lenses with new Pentax bodies. I don’t, often, but I love the connection with him.

I also do not use Adobe brand editors. I was unimpressed with their subscription requirements and in my search for an alternative, discovered Affinity Photo, by Serif.

Strike 3 – I use a Windows based laptop – I actually used to work for IBM, so there is that bit of loyalty.

When doing workshops or online courses, I usually have to “translate” an instruction into what I’m familiar with. And though I’ve been told more that once that I should use this or that software, or this or that platform, or Pentax is dead, I will continue my journey in my own time, in my own way, with my own choices.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.inphotonoctem.com
• Instagram: inphotonoctem
• Facebook: inphotonoctem