space shuttle launch

Thanks again for the comments. For the exposure settings, I looked at a LOT of images on the internet to get a general idea. Then I tried them out at the Delta rocket launch a few weeks ago. From the results, I knew i was close, but just in case I emailed Ben Cooper at www.launchphotography.com (who also now does photography form NASA) to ask for advice, and he said I was basically there. I'm having to do some do some correcting in Photoshop, so I didn't quite nail it. Still, I'm thrilled with the results, and got far far more keepers than I imagined that I would.

Erich

 

I may as well keep these shots together. This time it's STS-132, most likely the last flight for Atlantis. Same camera, lens, and 2x TC, but I added a polarizer.
It was hot,, and very crowded, but at least there was a breeze coming off the water.

Erich

 

Sweet shot! ; I like this better than your night shots.

Way to go.

Boris

 

Nice work Erich!

 

Awesome shots!!

 

Thanks all. I'm really kicking myself with frustration, as all the shots after I took the camera off the tripod are slightly out of focus. My stupid habit of bumping the focus ring bit me again. They're just out of focus enough to look good at camera eyepiece size, but unusable at anything bigger than a postage stamp. ;

I don't doubt the attendance figures. There were a LOT of people. I ended up having to book thru a travel tour group out of Orlando, because the official tickets sold out while I was entering my info into the order form, 3 minutes after they went on sale! The remaining 2 launches are going to be even more crazy.

Erich

 

Erich just consider another lesson learned, it's still a nice view and I'm sure the experience was great.

 

This morning, I managed to bookend the space shuttle Atlantis' flight. I looked quite a bit online for advice, and while there is lots for launches, there is basically nothing for landings, other than you need a press or other credential to get out to the runway area. So, I just camped out at the Kennedy Space Center visitor center parking lot and hoped for the best. I hope to get a bit more out of it if I can figure out curves more.

While waiting in my chair, a couple with a definite British accent came up and asked about seeing the landing, and we started to talk about the shuttle program. They obviously didn't know much about the space program, and this was a quick side trip. When I mentioned there were only 2 more flights left before retirement, they were surprised. When I told them that the delayed replacement was also in grave danger, they asked why in the world the government had done that. The only word I could think of was stupidity.

Erich

 

Sweet shot Erich! ; I'm glad you got to do the bookend approach.

Regards,

Boris

 

Great shot Erich and you are right on about the space program. ;