BEHIND THE LENS | The story behind the image
Photographing a Space Shuttle launch
30
April
Text by Chris Zuppa | Photo by Stephen J. Coddington
Watching a space shuttle launch is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, even if it is from afar. It’s not just the moment of witnessing history unfold and feeling the rumble caused from the shuttle’s liftoff, it’s also the anticipation, the fingers-crossed feeling that the launch won’t be scrubbed and the effort to travel to Florida’s east coast wasn’t in vain. You’ll end up making wonderful memories from the entire experience of traveling, waiting and meeting the people who have come so far—as far as Australia and England in some cases. If you do make the trek, here are some practical travel and photo tips.
The Space Shuttle Atlantis roars off of launch pad 39 B at the Kennedy Space Center September 9, 2006 as it begins the flight of STS-115.
Photo Tips
1. Unless you were able to get tickets for the Kennedy Space Center’s viewing area or have a press pass, you’re stuck on the outside. No worries. There are plenty of good places to see the space shuttle go up.
2. Titusville is personally my favorite. There are spots with unobstructed views that include Space View Park, the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway and empty lots along U.S. 1.
3. Other good locations are the Bennett Causeway near Cape Canaveral, the Cocoa Beach Pier and Jetty Park.
4. Arrive early. Popular places such as Space View Park and Jetty Park fill quickly. Many diehard shuttle watchers will probably camp overnight in their spot.
5. Be prepared to pay as much as $30 for parking. Don’t worry if you don’t want to pay this amount. Parking is free along the causeways and the view is still good.
6. Bring lots of water, sunscreen and snacks.
7. Bring lots of patience. Hundreds of thousands of people cram into the area. Traffic will be heavy, especially going home.
8. You won’t need a tripod unless you’re shooting video and want to eliminate camera shake or have a large, heavy lens for a DSLR camera.
9. The last launch is scheduled at 11:26 a.m., so the lighting will be harsh because the sun will almost be overhead. Depending on where you are standing (in Titusville or Cocoa Beach, for instance),the shuttle may be slightly backlit and your pictures could have flaring caused by the sun.
10. To avoid this, use a hand to shade the front of the lens from the sun. If you are holding the camera with the right hand, use the left to shield the lens. You can also make an impromptu lens shade by taping a piece of thin cardboard around a lens for a DSLR camera or on top of a point-and-shoot camera. WARNING: Be careful not to get your hand or the cardboard in the photo.
11. My advice is to set your camera to manual and expose for the sky so the shuttle’s contrail will contrast well against it. By using the camera's manual setting, instead of any of the automatic settings, you'll avoid the camera's exposure being altered by the sudden, intense light coming from the rockets. Digital is wonderful in that you can preview pictures and make adjustments as needed. Take some test shots 10 minutes before the launch time to make sure your exposure is good. That way, you have time to troubleshoot any issues and when the launch time comes, you won’t be fretting the the technical stuff.
12. Opt for a fast shutter speed and a wide aperture when finding your proper manual exposure. Wide apertures reduce your picture's depth-of-field, but since you'll be far away and will likely be focused at infinity anyway, you won't need much depth-of-field.
If you do photograph the launch, share your photos with us in our community photo gallery. ... Read more
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Epiphany celebration in Tarpon Springs, Florida
6
January
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Florida Strawberry Festival (14 images)
13
March
The 75th annual Florida Strawberry Festival wraps up at the end of Sunday, March 14 at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds, 2202 W Reynolds St., in Plant City.
Colorful lights illuminate the night at the Florida Strawberry Festival on Friday, March 12. [CHRIS ZUPPA, Times] ... Read more
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Bald eagle release, half marathon celebration, Dr. Seuss face painting
3
March
Audubon Center for Birds of Prey released their 380th rehabilitated Bald Eagle back into the Florida skies Wednesday afternoon at the Ahhochee Hill Audubon Sanctuary near Brooksville, FL. David Bruzek, Lead Environmental Specialist for Progress Energy Florida, had the honor to release the bird. This is the same eagle that was booted out of her nest in the East Lake area and was beaten up by another female. Her ex-mate has since produced chicks with the usurper. READ THE STORY [JIM DAMASKE, Times] ... Read more
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Sunset flight, bald eagle adoption, oil protest
18
February
A passenger jet gains altitude over Tampa against a backdrop of the setting sun. Flights around the country have seen delays this week. [DANIEL WALLACE, Times] ... Read more
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Florida State Fair
5
February
The Florida State Fair opened on Friday, February 5 and continues through February 15. We'll collect some of our staff's photos from the event and share them here until the fair ends. You can share your pictures from the fair at pics.tampabay.com.
While you're in the mood for games of chance, rides and deep fried treats, take a look at some of photographer Joel Sartore's images made at midwest fairs for National Geographic magazine last year.
Michael Potter of Chicago makes his way up the ferris wheel to change burned out light bulbs. Temperatures in the mid to upper 50's and a stiff breeze greeted workers at the Florida State Fairgrounds Wednesday as they prepared for the opening on Friday. [SKIP O'ROURKE, Times] ... Read more
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Sand angels, Florida State Fair, Tampa Museum of Art
5
February
Lance Campos, 9, (in front) flaps his arms while attempting to make a sand angel while playing in the sand with his two brothers Lucas Stanley (top left) and Landon Campos at Gulfport Beach Monday afternoon. "It's cloudy but it's nice, it's not as hot," his father, Dennis Rogers, said. "I love Gulfport. I come out here all the time. It's always perfect out here on this beach." [DIRK SHADD, Times] ... Read more
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Miracle cat, homeless memorial, Buccaneers shopping
29
December
Tracie Steger kisses her cat, Blizzard, who recently underwent surgery at the Animal Care Center on US 19 in Weeki Wachee. Blizzard suffered two broken legs from being hit by a car, then dragged himself back to his family's house and front porch. Veterinarian Mike Kern was able to save both of his hind legs. "Just him dragging himself for 11 days on two busted legs is freaking amazing," Kern said. READ THE STORY: With two broken legs, missing cat's painful odyssey leads him home [WILL VRAGOVIC, Times] ... Read more
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Dunn house donation, painting with light, Winter the dolphin (9 images)
10
December
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Warrick Dunn works to get a smile from 6-year-old Alexia Harris as she and her father Rashawn stand outside their new home in Plant City Tuesday afternoon. Rashawn Harris became just the second single father to benefit from the Warrick Dunn Foundation's Home For The Holidays program. The program provides $5000 in down payment assitance as well as a home full of furniture, appliances, and food from participating sponsor Aaron's Inc. "I wasn't expecting it at all," Rashawn said. " It's kind of hard to surprise me, but I'm really shocked right now." [STEPHEN CODDINGTON, Times] ... Read more
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Lightning, new coach, manatee (12 images)
4
December
Lightning scatters the sky over the Gulf of Mexico west of the Dunedin Causeway as Wednesday's frontal system begins it's landfall into the Florida coastline. [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD, Times] ... Read more
