posted 05-04-2015 11:44 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
Such was the success of the backdrop competition for Eileen's event we would like to do the same for October.

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posted 05-06-2015 05:14 PM               

The dinner and the first lecture were both sold out weeks ago! That said, one person has switched their Saturday lecture ticket to the Sunday so there is one Saturday lecture ticket available.

posted 05-08-2015 08:15 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Tykeanaut:
I like them both, but the second one does have more balance and may suit a photo shoot better?

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quote:

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Originally posted by topmiler:
I like Dave Johnson's Earthrise backdrops, the second one though might have the Earth partly obscured by the people in it.

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posted 05-09-2015 05:05 AM               

Earthrise would inevitably call for a lot of metallic pen use and as the signing goes on, with the best will in the world, and a good supply of metallic pens some of the signatures may become a tad "scratchy".

Again, this is just my opinion but black pen is best medium for signing the photo shoot images and this image does not lend itself to that.

It has been pointed out that there are not a lot lighter ground appropriate images to choose from but it occurred to me a bit of judicial photo shopping of several images in to one might be an option; says the man with about as much knowledge of Photoshop as a parsnip!

And while we are on the subject of the Lovell event, in excess of 50 tickets for the Sunday lecture have been sold in the last 4 days alone. This event is really motoring and several regulars I know missed out on dinner and the first lecture because the tickets sold so quickly.

Don't delay.

posted 05-10-2015 03:36 PM               

Chris, I think we used a simple moon back drop for the Mattingly event. Given Jim Lovell's Gemini exploits I think some considration should be given to those.... but these are just my opinions.

posted 05-10-2015 10:54 PM               

In the meantime, here's another one. While it has a mix of dark and light background (unfortunately, I am finding this prevalent for any images that I've come across so far that would make a good backdrop), hopefully there's sufficient amount of lighter background to be suitable for signing with a sharpie.

posted 05-13-2015 05:17 PM               

Here's the image with just the two launches. It's not completely seamless, but enough to be appealing especially since the center will be blocked.

posted 05-14-2015 09:16 AM               

I don't think the image used for Eileen Collins's backdrop was one of her launches but it worked well from an aesthetic point of view.

The Saturn V on it's own, in landscape format with the booster shifted to the right for framing purposes, leaving room for the mission patches on the opposite side might work. Nice and dynamic too.

posted 05-18-2015 03:32 AM               

I trained and worked as a photographer and designer many moons ago and think the aesthetics of the image are what matters. If there is an image from one of Capt. Lovell's missions that fits the bill all well and good. But if not, a generic image be that of the moon, a launch or such is perfectly acceptable.

That is what was done for the Eileen Collins event and the backdrop looked great.

The question will also help to settle "artistic differences" between myself and another member of the Space Lectures team.

I am not prepared to name names (Mrs OWL ) but under pain of assault with a rolling pin, attack from her stuffed dead cat and even a chinese burn, she is of the opinion the image should be from one of Lovell's missions.

posted 05-18-2015 07:23 AM               

All the iconic photos (The Earthrise from Apollo 8, the damaged Service Module from 13, Gemini 6 in orbit, etc.) are all dominated with the blackness of space and are therefor really not suited for a photo background.

I appreciate the desire for an actual picture from one of his missions, and in fact I hunted extensively for one of Collins launches that would fit the bill, but none were available that fitted the requirements that Rick had, I ended up with the background of Atlantis launching on STS-135, with the caveat that it was an Orbiter she had flown before.

One last thought, don't forget that in the time frame of Lovell's missions, everything was done on film, so you have a LOT less pictures to chose from. Space requirements on a mission led to a limited number of rolls on board and also on the ground. I know when I used to shoot film, I'd shoot maybe three or four rolls on a trip. My last trip to KSC to cover the EFT-1 launch I shot over 600 images over 3 days since I'm all digital now and tossing out images you do not want doesn't cost you but a few moments of your time.

posted 05-19-2015 04:18 AM               

A lunar backdrop could be placed behind any space employee, astronomer, etc. and it would have some sort of relevance. A spacecraft however, has flames, vibration, noise, animation... now we're talking.

I personally would like to see the Gemini program get centre stage for the backdrop as it will probably be the only time it features during his visit and will largely be ignored. I love the Gemini VII rendezvous images but they do lack the majority of attributes I was highlighting earlier.

posted 05-19-2015 05:22 AM               

Your rationale behind the moon image is correct. That was the objective for both Gemini and Apollo and it provides a goodly area for signing. It is nice and simple too; not fussy with too many bits and bobs serving as a distraction.