Recommendations on Photographing Space Shuttle Launch on Dec. 6th

[photolandscape]

I am going to try to get to Cape Canaveral to photograph the next space shuttle launch on December 6th.

I know security is very tight, and you must be some substantial distance away from the launch pad, but where would be the best vantage point without special passes and all that stuff? I've heard there is a causeway where you can park and get a pretty good look at it. I would like to be as close as possible. Anyone been there and done that?

[carlmuck]

Take a LOOONG lens, unless have passes (and if you don't have them now you probably can't), you can't get on the Cape.

I don't even think that the NASA Causeway is open on launch days.

Your best bet is to get with the rest of us gawkers and find a place along US-1, anywhere south of Titusville has a good view. Route 1 runs hard against the Intracoastal there.

Hope for an early morning or night launch, they are the most dramatic.

carl.

[girphotos]

Originally Posted by photolandscape

I am going to try to get to Cape Canaveral to photograph the next space shuttle launch on December 6th.

I know security is very tight, and you must be some substantial distance away from the launch pad, but where would be the best vantage point without special passes and all that stuff? I've heard there is a causeway where you can park and get a pretty good look at it. I would like to be as close as possible. Anyone been there and done that?

Hello Steve
I am part of the NASA WIRE POOL and have shot every launch and landing since the late 80's.
The NASA causeway is CLOSED!
The launch is scheduled for 4:38p.m. on the 6th of December, but that date could slip a day or two.
We at the pool shoot from various places and the the top of the VAB is 3.2 miles away.
The beach in COCO is about 8-10 miles away.
I suggest a 400mm or longer if you have one.
We use 400's, 500's and 600's mostly Canon and most are using the new 40D.
I will be using my M8 on this launch on top of the VAB on a bracket with my 135 f4 as a VERY wide angle.
If you e-mail me, I will be more than happy to give you some spots that you can shoot from.
BEST
GARY
Gary I. Rothstein, Photography
e-mail: girothstein.photos@gmail.com

[girphotos]

Originally Posted by photolandscape

I am going to try to get to Cape Canaveral to photograph the next space shuttle launch on December 6th.

I know security is very tight, and you must be some substantial distance away from the launch pad, but where would be the best vantage point without special passes and all that stuff? I've heard there is a causeway where you can park and get a pretty good look at it. I would like to be as close as possible. Anyone been there and done that?

Hello Steve
I am part of the NASA WIRE POOL and have shot every launch and landing since the late 80's.
The NASA causeway is CLOSED!
The launch is scheduled for 4:38p.m. on the 6th of December, but that date could slip a day or two.
We at the pool shoot from various places and the the top of the VAB is 3.2 miles away.
The beach in COCO is about 8-10 miles away.
I suggest a 400mm or longer if you have one.
We use 400's, 500's and 600's mostly Canon and most are using the new 40D.
I will be using my M8 on this launch on top of the VAB on a bracket with my 135 f4 as a VERY wide angle.
If you e-mail me, I will be more than happy to give you some spots that you can shoot from.
BEST
GARY
Gary I. Rothstein, Photography
e-mail: girothstein.photos@gmail.com

PS this is what it looks like from 3.2 miles away with a 500 and 40D or a field of view of 800mm. (I know this is not a leica images but used just to illustrate the above)

[k_g_wolf]

Dramatic shot, great ! Thx for showing.



Best