For years, I've wanted to view a launch in person. Last November, I got to watch the night launch of Endeavour's STS-126 mission from about 12 miles away in Titusville. It was amazing! Unfortunately, we didn't quite plan for light metering brighter than the sun... so the photos weren't so great. We had no clue what to expect!
This past week, we headed over to Kennedy Space Center to view Endeavour's STS-127 mission daytime launch. We were onsite and ready for attempt #5, which was scrubbed ... and onsite for attempt #6 - which was a success!
Thanks for Denny & Maureen, we had access to the onsite VIP launch viewing area, approx. 3 miles away from the launchpad - the closest possible viewing point.
I was running 2 Canon 5D Mark II's and a JVC HD video camera. One 5DmkII started on a tripod with the 70-200mm f2.8 L IS and a 2x converter on it, though I tore it off of the tripod moments after launch. The other 5DmkII was outfitted with a 24-70mm f2.8 L for wider shots.
The experience was amazing! The huge crowd, hundreds of cameras, the countdown.... then the smoke, fire, and roar!
I'll only be posting a fraction of the shots here. See below for a link to the full set!
Above: STS-127 Launch Vehicle Access Placard
Above: Endeavor STS-127 Launch: A crop in of the last liftoff photo
More photos of the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour Mission STS-127 after the break! Click here! http://blog.willhawkinsphotography.com/2009/07/space-shuttle-endeavour-mission-sts-127.html
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