It’s All Over, But The Trip Home

[Mark Fuge]

We were there for the final launch of STS135 Atlantis. We got there at 6:00 A.M., after a 3 hour drive and were able to find a parking spot in our favorite area at the Port of Canaveral about 14 miles from the launch pad. There were over 1 million people estimated on-site to view the launch. The parking was scares when we arrived and more people followed throughout the morning. The forecast for the launch was not favorable with a 70% of thunderstorms at launch time. While the sky cleared and the sun came out, I was unable to sight the launch pad, due to the haze across the Banana River. But then, about 5 minutes before launch, it broke enough to get the images.

The modifications in PS4 and Topaz include; Topaz DeNoise5,Topaz InFocus, Select Color, Vibrance & Saturation, Brightness &Contrast and other normal PS image adjustments.

Canon EOS 5D
Shooting Date/Time - 7/8/2011 10:31:02
Tv -1/3200Sec.
Av - f/8.0
Evaluative metering
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO 640
Lens EF300mm f/2.8L USM +2.0x
Focal Length 600.0 mm

Enjoy! We did!!!

To NASA and to the crew of STS135 Atlantis

May you return safely home!

[Mark Fuge]

This is a blowup of the prior image. Amazing what digital can do from 14 miles away!

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

Mark,

Wow! Spectacular! Just about the perfect exposure for the impossible dr and of the last of its kind, too.

Cheers,

-Michael-

[Judy Howle]

Wow, amazing from 14 miles away! It is a very nice exposure. Nice work Mark!

[Kerry Perkins]

Mark, big congrats on getting this capture! Fantastic. What a great moment, to witness the end of an era. Let's hope that our country continues to support the efforts of NASA. I have met and spoken with several former astronauts, including Jim Lovell and Alan Bean, who walked on the moon. Talk about travel stories...

[denise ippolito]

Nice capture Mark, 14 miles away! I might evict a couple of the dust bunnies in the first image(they may be from compression and not dust bunnies)

[Nick Palmieri]

With all the obstacles and the distance you certainly captured the moment.

[Anita Bower]

What a thrill for you to see this liftoff. I'm amazed that you were able to photograph it from 14 miles away. Mind boggling. I like the composition of the first image and the frame. Nicely done.

[Mark Fuge]

Thanks all for viewing and comments. Appreciate it.

It was awesome! And knowing it was a day in the history of America in Space added to the thrill/emotions.

The background is due to the lens/2x, distance and hazy atmosphere, as well as the heat from the Shuttle vehicle launching. That's a big blow torch under it!! :eek: :eek: I did try fixing it, but decided it was better as is. I've played with other images from past launches and the area around the vehicle is very much affected by the heat being generated. Gives some good effects when magnified in color, but wanted to show the event here.

Wish I could say ... hope you could see it someday, but ...