Space Shuttle launch question

[Gary Dietz]

We will be at NASA Space Center for the launch on Feb 7. Any suggestions on the best way to get some good pictures would be helpful. We will be aproximitly 6 miles away.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Gary I will try to pass the info to a local expert Not sure if he has been to this site but will try to lure him Works for NASA and has had some images in their guide !!!

[Rod Ostoski]

Hi Gary,
I can give you a few tips and also some reading material to hopefully cover your questions. Sounds like you're going to be at the Nasa Causeway viewing area. With that distance, the more magnification the better. Hope for a haze free day and remember that scrubs are not uncommon. You should build in at least one 24 hour turn-around into your trip in the event that they don't launch that day.

I always shoot manually taking a reading just above the launch pad off the sky. You don't want your camera reacting to the bright plume and under exposing the rest of your picture.
Typically, I'll set the aperture at f8 and ISO to 200 unless it's a bright day then I'll do 100.
Only thing left to do is find your shutter speed.
I generally keep my auto focus on. Some people find that their glass searches too much and set it manually for the launch... then flip to auto once it’s cleared the pad.

If this is your first launch, you may want to consider just watching it go up without taking pictures. I've never taken pictures of a launch from the area you will be at but Dennis Huff has and you can view some of his pictures here (http://www.pbase.com/dennis_huff/endeavour_sts118).

Here (http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html) is a good page Ben Cooper has posted for all around launch viewing.
Space Flight Now (http://www.spaceflightnow.com/) is the best online source for launch updates period.

You’re welcome to browse my galleries and PM me if you have any additional questions.

Regards,
Rod

[Mike Tracy]

Red Huber who is the Orlando Sentinels lead photographer and has photographed every shuttle launch once gave me the following advice. It is similar to Rods above.

" Shoot only manual with your long glass. If you shoot on auto and the solid rocket boosters pass through your metered area it will under expose your image. Try 1000sec f/10 200iso, adjust iso as necessary. "

"Also If you have another body and a wide angle , try to find something in the foreground to frame the contrail. It makes for a nice image."

[Gary Dietz]

Alfred Rod and Mike

Thank you for the advice. It's always nice to get tips from the experts.
I will post some shots if they turn out ok

[Alfred Forns]

Looking forward to the images Gary !!!!

[Layton E Parham]

I Thank All of you for the advise .Made some really nice images of the shuttle traveling thru clouds 11 miles away. Is there a place on this site to post a few? Layton
www.laytonparhamphoto.com (http://www.laytonparhamphoto.com)

[Fabs Forns]

I Thank All of you for the advise .Made some really nice images of the shuttle traveling thru clouds 11 miles away. Is there a place on this site to post a few? Layton
www.laytonparhamphoto.com (http://www.laytonparhamphoto.com)

Layton, they would be welcome in the Family, Friends and more...It is no a critique gallery, but we share there :)

[Alfred Forns]

Layton the image was welcome with open arms in FFM because it was out of this world !!!! :)

..... btw one image worth taking a look Impressive !!!!