Help needed with Shuttle Launch Pictures

[PrincesCJM]

I was lucky enough to be able to buy tickets for the last shuttle launch next year. My husband and I have tickets to view it at the Visitors Complex at KSC. The camera I own, SONY Cyber-shot DSC-W230, is a point and shoot camera. The money is not in the budget to buy a really nice camera for the launch. Using the camera I have, what can I do to get the best pictures possible? Any tips or suggestions (other than buy a new camera) would be greatly appreciated

 

[alloyd1170]

The best spot to view the launch from is the causeway. You will be about 7 miles away from the launch pad. You won't be able to see the launch pad, and the shuttle won't come into view until after it launches.

I am not familiar with your camera, and I've only watched launches from the causeway. If you are a novice shooter, I would set the camera on P (Program mode). If your camera has burst mode, you might want to set it on that too-it allows you to hold the shutter button and fire off a set number of shots each time you press it (your manual will tell you how many fps (frames per second) it can fire off in burst mode). This will allow you to get many shots (you can also string them together to make a video clip like the old flip book).

You might also want to zoom in a bit on the area where the shuttle will be seen since you will be so far away. Don't zoom in too much as your shots will be more sensitive to noise and camera shake. You can always go back and crop the photos on your computer.

Hopefully someone else will chime in with other tips/better advice. Have a great time and I hope the launch goes as scheduled!

 

[giantstu]

Have a look at http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html , Ben is the man in the know.

He used some of my photos of STS124 taken from Titusville.

 

[photo_chick]

The July 8th launch is scheduled to be mid-day, so you should have plenty of light for any focal length, even with your point and shoot. Just zoom that lens out as far as you can and pan with the shuttle. And don't forget to have fun and get some shots of the history taking place all around you that day.

 

[PrincesCJM]

Have a look at http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html , Ben is the man in the know.

He used some of my photos of STS124 taken from Titusville.

I was checking out that site last night. My husband enjoyed see the links for videos of launches. This trip is really for him. He is a huge supporter of NASA and the shuttles and is incredibly bummed that the program is ending. Just keep your fingers crossed me for that the launch goes off without a hitch on July 8. We're making the trip to FL just for the launch.

 

[Duckfan]

I just wanted to say I will cross my fingers for you to be able to see the launch on schedule. We went twice to try and catch a launch and neither went off on schedule, including the one where we had causeway tickets. We have given up. I might suggest a tripod but don't know if you want to carry it around all day. If you have a multiple shot or sports setting, try that.

 

[photo_chick]

I was checking out that site last night. My husband enjoyed see the links for videos of launches. This trip is really for him. He is a huge supporter of NASA and the shuttles and is incredibly bummed that the program is ending. Just keep your fingers crossed me for that the launch goes off without a hitch on July 8. We're making the trip to FL just for the launch.

I'm crossing my fingers, too. We were supposed to leave WDW on the 7th but are staying a couple of days extra now to be in the area.