Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another wild experience to share. This time, I went on a little adventure to try and capture a rocket launch with a long exposure. Sounds cool, right? Well, let me tell you, it was quite the ride.
Getting Ready
First things first, I had to figure out where to even see this thing. Turns out, you can spot a rocket going up from pretty far away, like 25 miles from the launch center. So, I picked a spot that wasn’t too close but still gave a killer view of the sky.

Setting Up My Gear
Now, onto the camera stuff. I’m no pro, but I knew I needed to mess with the exposure settings to get that sweet long exposure shot. After fiddling around for a bit, I set it up for what I thought would work best for the launch time. I wanted to catch the rocket and that awesome exhaust trail, so I went with a deep depth of field. Basically, I wanted everything to be in focus, from the rocket to the fiery tail behind it.
- Picked a spot: Not too close, not too far. Just right for an epic view.
- Messed with settings: Exposure was key. Wanted that rocket and its plume to pop.
- Focused on focus: Deep depth of field was the goal. Get everything sharp and clear.
The Waiting Game
With everything set, all that was left was to wait. And wait. And wait some more. It’s not like they launch these things every day, so patience was a virtue I had to learn real quick. But let me tell you, the anticipation was half the fun.
Showtime!
Finally, the moment came. I could see the rocket start to lift off, and it was incredible. I started snapping pictures, hoping my settings were right. The whole thing was a blur of excitement and a bit of panic, making sure I didn’t mess up the shot.
Checking the Results
After the rocket disappeared into the sky, it was time to check out what I managed to capture. I scrolled through the photos, and bam! There it was. The long exposure shot I’d been dreaming of. The rocket was a streak of light, and the exhaust plume was this glowing trail of awesome. It wasn’t perfect, but man, it was something I was proud of.
Wrapping Up
So, that’s the story of how I tried to shoot a rocket launch with a long exposure. It was a mix of learning, waiting, and a bit of luck, but totally worth it. If you ever get a chance to try something like this, go for it! Just remember to be patient, mess around with your camera, and enjoy the whole experience. It’s not just about the picture, but the adventure of getting there.