|
Author
|
Topic: MAD PROPS to Jimmy Brown!!!
|
albatron@aol.com
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
|
posted 12-21-2000 07:53 AM
   
Not sure if Jimmy reads these or not, I suspect he does, but Id like to take this opportunity to send mad props and kudos to Jimmy for his winning entries in this weeks Aviation Week and Space Technology "Photo and Aerospace Art Awards". Those of you on the astronaut list on egroups know Jimmy very well. Jimmy took First Place in the Space Division with his launch of STS80 AND 2nd Place for a sunrise launch and a 3rd, a launch through the clouds is also listed. WOW! What great work! And from a great guy. Al |
James Brown
Member Posts: 1287
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 12-21-2000 08:31 AM
Thanks, Al. I remember the first time I saw a shuttle launch. It was STS-26. I had never been down for a launch before and did not know what to expect. I remember seeing some photos in the gift shop of the shuttle up close on the launch pad, and thinking to myself, what I wouldn't give to have the opportunity to get close and take photos like that. I watched the launch from the causeway, but kept thinking there had to be a way to get closer. About a year later, I met a lady who was just starting a launch publication. I asked about her possibly needing someone to take photos of the launches. She agreed, got me to the press site, and the rest is history. If I can come home from a launch with just one photograph that I am really happy with, then I consider it a good trip. I feel very lucky and privilidged to have the opportunity to do this. Not many people get to do this kind of stuff. I hope to continue doing this as long as I can. James
|
albatron@aol.com
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
|
posted 12-21-2000 01:42 PM
I hope you continue to do so for a LONG time. We are all the better for it.Best, Al |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
|
posted 12-21-2000 02:16 PM
Wow...Ill have to pic up a copy. Congrats (again!).Same here....ive been down twice with not success so far. Lucky they even tried...7 seconds..grrr....they were STS 93 and 101. I too am in it for the photography. Im not a 'photographer' in general. But when events or trips come around...hells yea! :) Im a color guy, and a shuttle launch is no exception. I have a Celestron C90 spotting scope, which is 1000mm or 2000 with a telextender. From the causeway, at 2000mm it takes up half the picture; but as I saw from STS93, to close is too many vibrations. So for 101 I stuck with 1000. If it had gone up, it would have been a great photo! Anyone want a scan, email me. I will try to stop in BandN on Monday and find the mag. Ill let you know. Again, congrats! ------------------
______ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
-Ben "'Time was invented to keep everything from happening at the same time.
Space was invented so that everything doesen't happen to you.' -Anonymous" (Feel free to email me, subject line "Collect space", as I will not recognize you otherwise! Thank you.) |
James Brown
Member Posts: 1287
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 12-21-2000 02:31 PM
Thanks Ben. Since I usually have cameras set up next to the pad, I tend to shoot wide angle shots of the launch from where I am. Just a different perspective, but it makes for nice pictures with the smoke plume and the blue sky. I don't even try to use a long lens in the summer, because of all the heat and air pollution. Remember, your shooting something at least 10 miles away at the causeway. That's a lot of haze and humidity to shoot through. James |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
|
posted 12-21-2000 05:03 PM
Actually, the causeway is 6 miles (6 1/2 to 6, depending on pad A or B)..Titusville is 10 miles away. (I saw a map of KSC in a Merrit Is brochure, and they said 10 too, but I know its wrong; KSC website says its 6 miles to the causeway, 10 to Titusville)....your right though; for STS93, which was at midnight, there was no distortion. For the STS 101 first day, no heat waves; the 3rd day there was though; it is clearly evident in the pic, which shows a wavy shuttle!!Ahh...so your one of the pros who set up automatic cameras near the pad. I am friendly with the manager of the KSC photo/video lab, whihc puts out all the photos you see on the KSC website. (his name is Howard Wallen). Nice guy. I discovered him looking for a place to get photos of astros to get signed. Ive paid for the ones I wanted, but he usually throws in some others of the ISS of shuttle launch. Ill have the scanse sent to you shortly. Im a bit curious; how do those digital cameras work...well, i know they sense vibration, light or sound...but what do you have to do to set them up, retrieve them..etc. Any photos you have through them Id liek to see also! -Ben [This message has been edited by Ben (edited December 21, 2000).] |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
|
posted 12-21-2000 05:20 PM
Sorry...lost your email. Send me a note! -Ben |
James Brown
Member Posts: 1287
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 12-21-2000 07:22 PM
Ben, I don't use digital cameras. I use Minolta X-700's, traditional 35mm cameras with motordrives. The cameras are connected to a speaker that detects sound, sort of like a decible meter. When the engines ignite, and the sound reaches the cameras, they begin to fire, and will continue to fire until they either run out of film or the sound stops. They are protected from the weather by being inside a wood housing that I built. We usually have to wait 2 hours after the launch until we are allowed to retrieve the cameras. I haven't lost one yet to a launch. Note my one photo at the web site farthestreaches.com. There is a photo I shot with these housings in the foreground so you can see what I'm talking about. Hope this answers some of your questions.James |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
|
posted 12-21-2000 08:07 PM
Those are some great photos! Well...Im not that good :) |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
|
posted 12-24-2000 05:02 PM
Well, Barnes and Noble doesent carry AV and ST mag. I did find their website, but you cant access the issues unless you are a subscrber.Jim, is it a good magazine? I see its a weekly. Worth trying out for a year maybe? Thanks, -Ben |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
|
posted 12-24-2000 05:10 PM
Ok..found them!! WOW!! Spectacular photos. Esp the sunrise one. Was that also an automatic setup?There are some nice other photos there as well...the Atlas in front of the moon is beautful. Three cheers for Jimmy!! Ill have to get a copy somehow and save it...maybe he'll autograph it for me :)! -Ben They're at:
www.aviationweek.com/aviation/photo/space/htm and, www.aviationweek.com/twoshare/getpage/AWContent/AWST/photo [This message has been edited by Ben (edited December 24, 2000).] |
James Brown
Member Posts: 1287
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 12-24-2000 09:41 PM
The second place photo was shot with a 75mm lens from 3 miles west of the launch pad. That's where we usually watch the launches from. Glad you were able to find a copy. I got mine over the weekend. There were a lot of great photos in there, anyone of which could have won.Jimmy |
advertisement