Night Launch
Adventures of a first-time shuttle photographer.
- By Ed Darack
- AirSpaceMag.com, October 13, 2010
Ben Cooper
I met with Scott Andrews, who probably has more experience photographing shuttle launches than anyone in the world. Scott very kindly loaned me two seismic camera triggers and a Canon 1DMK3 so that I would have two remote cameras to work with. With my tripods, cameras, borrowed seismic triggers, lenses, and thick plastic bags in tow, I boarded a bus bound for Pad 39A. My escort was retired Air Force Colonel Johnny Johnson, former deputy commander of Cape Canaveral’s Patrick Air Force Base. People at KSC told me that Colonel Johnson has witnessed more launches from the area than just about anyone alive.
I asked Colonel Johnson where he thought it best for a first-time photographer to position his camera, and he mentioned the mounds at the periphery of a field to the southeast of the shuttle. Using a heavy Gitzo tripod, I secured the camera assembly with tent stakes and rope. The trash bags not only protect the cameras from rain, but also from the possible cloud of solid rocket booster exhaust and water vapor expected at launch.
Photograph by Ben Cooper.
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Comments (1)
This photo is very nice, and i like the arch.
Posted by Bryce Desy on November 3,2010 | 02:52 PM