Space Shuttle Launch Photos

[Noel_Carboni]

We took a day trip to Titusville to see the launch of STS-124 this past Saturday. We found a nice shady spot under some palm trees and watched the picture-perfect launch. We did not get up front as we've seen several launches before (and it was HOT in the sun!). We found that watching the people was actually fun, and frankly the view wasn't obstructed much.

Someone once said "to make your shots more interesting include people in them." As I am much more a landscape shooter than a photojournalist or people shooter this is not my typical style. I specifically chose to include people in some of these shots, and so I welcome your impressions.

Canon 100-400 zoom and Canon 10-22 zoom employed.







I find it interesting that in the last part of the boost the shuttle can be seen arcing over the horizon, and for a while actually appears to be going back down - when in fact it is leveling off to get into orbit.





-Noel

[Buddy Thomason]

Neat! Next to the last shot is exceptional, IMHO. Everything is there and in good balance - composition, clarity, color, lighting and creativity. Looks like one of those 1 in 100 shots to me.

Question: From that distance... was it loud?

[Noel_Carboni]

Thanks!

Actually, it rumbled enough to be felt, though it wasn't "loud" per se. At many miles distant, to shake the Earth is a sign of Real Power. It's amazing mankind can harness that kind of power.

-Noel

[Derry]

Noel, those launches are a sight to see,, the power you feel during lift off is like nothing else,,

I use to live over on the West coast (Largo FL.) and on a clear day could see the exhaust trail of the launches,,

like the two last photos the best,,