Shooting the Shuttle

[Chris Dodkin]

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2011/07/20/shuttle.photographers.couwels.cnn

Father-son team helps capture shuttle history

We've all seen them: photos of the latest NASA shuttle lifting off from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. Many of those images have come from Philip and Scott Andrews, a father-son photography team who revolutionized the way photographers capture shuttle launches. The Andrews created a specialized trigger to capture close-up images of the shuttle liftoff. As the shuttle program’s end comes with Thursday’s scheduled landing of Atlantis, CNN’s John Couwels talked to this family duo that helped capture American history.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Awesome stuff!

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Of course after today's final shuttle touch-down, they're probably out of a job!

I wonder what they're going to do with all those spare Canons...

I was lucky enough to visit Kennedy Space Center twice, and see a night launch of the Shuttle - the most awesome sight and sound I've ever experienced.

Like the sun coming up at night, and then the sound hits you and just compresses your lungs

 

[Hamish Gill]

Blimey!

Did you get any photos then?

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Here's the shuttle on the pad the day before launch

My night shots were a disaster - the D30 I was using at the time, with the 400mm f5.6 - was not up to the task

I'll see if I can dig them out and salvage something.

Also did a video on MiniDV using a decent Canon GL1 - that must be on a hard drive somewhere...

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Here you go - dug out my old LACIE HD and found my original edit of the STS97 night launch - filmed from the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center. Nov. 30, 2000 - 9:06 p.m. CST

As I said, probably the single most impressive thing I have ever witnessed.

[video]http://gallery.me.com/c.dodkin#100756[/video]

http://gallery.me.com/c.dodkin#100756

Canon GL1 (UK Version of the XM1) - MiniDV Camera.

(Had to use MobileMe to host - as YouTube were idiots about the backing music copyright!)

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Final moments - taken by Scott Andrews this morning

http://www.scottandrews.com/

 

[Hamish Gill]

Nice mate ... Id love to see something like that!!


that scott andrews shot is pretty nifty too... i sense a touch of pp!

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Yep, given that it was pitch dark when they landed, just the runway flood light at the far end, I suspect a lot of PP was required.

 

[Hamish Gill]

It looks almost drawn... I quite like it!

 

[Joel Knight]

I feel this is an often overlooked subject, as clients and photographers often get confused by intellectual property and copyright law. I've written an interesting scenario that explains the law to help clear up this tricky subject. (Link below)

Joel Knight Photography | Architectural Photographer and then go to the page, "who owns the image?" under home page.

We as a community need to raise awareness and spread this knowledge.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Hi Joel
Welcome to the forum
convention dictates popping in here to say hello to other members
As you point out, your link goes to your page as a whole!
Perhaps you might consider wrting a new thread on this subject?

 

[Pete Askew]

Welcome Joel. A very nice web site you have there and an impressive portfolio. I like the museum project especially. Nice clear copyright statement too. Looking forward to seeing some more images and engaging in discussions on photography etc.

 

[adrian jordin]

Another great set of Shuttle photos is by a guy called Trey Ratcliff.
He's best known for his HDR pictures, and while some of his pictures may be over the top for some tastes, some you would hardly think were HDR at all...

This is part of his portfolio from his daily blog...
NASA