Don't take pictures...what?

[dave lackey]

Has anyone ever heard the advice given on this particular link about not shooting a space shuttle launch if it is your first and only experience?

http://www.phototrek.org/Travel/STS-93/exposure.html

As a photographer, I find this kind of advice just plain wrong. To take this to it's logical conclusion, why use a camera for anything because everything has already been photographed by people better than you!🙄

For me, if I were to attend a once-in-a-lifetime event, I will make sure I have at least ONE camera because I can experience the event far better when I am involved in it rather than spectating as if it were on a widescreen TV. Not to mention, I want my OWN images for viewing and sharing later.

Just rambling...I'm going for a long ride....😛

 

[40oz]

the article is entirely laughable. Sad to think someone would read it thinking it's gospel. It's not that there isn't anything useful, it's that it's full of opinion stated as indisputable fact.

 

[dmr]

One of the most awesome sights I ever witnessed was a night launch of the Space Shuttle.

All I had with me as far as a camera was a P&S, but I grabbed like 4 shots.

It was quite an experience, almost like a party in the parking lot maybe 5 miles away from the cape. Everyone counted in unison as the radios counted down, as 1/4 of the sky lit up bright orange and the shuttle began to rise.

Then the noise hit and all kinds of car alarms went off. 🙂

 

[Jacob]

The funny thing is that I tried to photograph a space shuttle launch back in 1982. I was 14 years old and someone told me to borrow his more modern Minolta XD-7 instead of my good old Minolta SRT-101. What happened was that the "better" automatic XD locked the shutter when it overexposed. So when we saw the smoke build up around the launching site, the camera refused to take any picteres! By the time I had figured out what had happened and switched to manual, the shuttle was way up in the sky. My memory of the occasion was me turning dials and cursing a camera on a Florida beach, and I really can't recall the shuttle lifting from the ground. Today I would just have dropped the camera and looked at the whole thing, but back then I wasn't that relaxed.

This is of course a very personal thing, but I hesitate to bring or pull up a camera at certain important occasions, because I know it makes me unfocused and not present. Others might be better at handling this.

Best
/Jacob

 

[user237428934]

Has anyone ever heard the advice given on this particular link about not shooting a space shuttle launch if it is your first and only experience?

http://www.phototrek.org/Travel/STS-93/exposure.html

As a photographer, I find this kind of advice just plain wrong. To take this to it's logical conclusion, why use a camera for anything because everything has already been photographed by people better than you!🙄

For me, if I were to attend a once-in-a-lifetime event, I will make sure I have at least ONE camera because I can experience the event far better when I am involved in it rather than spectating as if it were on a widescreen TV. Not to mention, I want my OWN images for viewing and sharing later.

Just rambling...I'm going for a long ride....😛

I support this oppinion. If you take photos you are - most of the time - not really part of an event you just watch it. Taking photos distracts you especially from the emotional parts of an event.

 

[cysasam]

Middle way

Middle way

I always take the middle of the extremes. Grab one or two shots, then enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

(And the "always" in the first sentence is not an absolute, either🙄)

 

[dave lackey]

Ahhh...now we are getting to the fine distinction between recording the event and watching the event.

IMHO...if you are glued to the viewfinder, you will not experience a lot except the photographic experience itself, which can be rewarding. However, it doesn't take a lot to get the best of both:

1. Take a few shots as it happens.
2. Or, take a timed exposure of 6-8 minutes for the shuttle launch and enjoy the visuals while the camera does the recording. That way you get a cool "arc" which is, in itself, worth the trouble of setting up the tripod.


But, to me, it would be incomprehensible to NOT make a few images for viewing later...even the "party" beforehand would be great for a family slideshow!

Just my two cents and worth every penny you paid for it!😀

 

[dmr]

But, to me, it would be incomprehensible to NOT make a few images for viewing later...even the "party" beforehand would be great for a family slideshow!

Ya know, I didn't even think of it at the time! I was so wrapped up in what was going on, I didn't think to pull out the camera until a few seconds before the launch. 🙁

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

I can see the writer's point, even though he overstates it. When I go to a touristy spot and I just think the castle or bridge or whatever looks cool, I usually buy a post card. I save my time, money, film and frustration for taking pictures of less obvious stuff that I find interesting.

Of course, I wouldn't tell other folks not to snap pictures of stuff if they want to. Fill yer boots, if ya want.

 

[Chris101]

Everything I do is a photo op for me, so of course I would shoot a launch.

 

[Sparrow]

Everything I do is a photo op for me, so of course I would shoot a launch.

How did the wedding night go then?

😀😀

 

[reagan]

personal preference, i guess. i'm at my daughter's house enjoying our new [and first] grandson [preceded by three granddaughters]. we'll be here a week and i want a TON of shots. however, i refuse to let pursuit of said TON get in the way of experiencing the sweet and various interactions between mom, dad, sisters, grandma/pa, uncle ... and the man-child.

 

[BillBingham2]

The guy has some good points, but further down. I'd say get a 500mm mirror lenses and shot shot shoot, but do not look through the finder.

B2 (;->

 

[luketrash]

"My first launch was viewed through the viewfinder and the pics didn't work out, even though chances are my gear is better than yours."

When people talk like this, it's really hard to take them seriously.

 

[Kin Lau]

I know you will not listen. But don't blame me if you miss the launch.

Judging by the comments so far, I can why he says this in the same paragraph.