Day 126 – John Kraus says no

I’ve been following John Kraus on Instagram for a while now – you may remember him from such posts such as Rocket Science. Not because I’m some sort of rocket nerd (I’m really not), but because… well… Look at this stuff:

and this stuff…

Amazing.

John seems to have a pretty cool life, whizzing all over the world to take images of various rocket tests and launches. And if you think his IG is good, go and have a look at his “real” reel here.

John is heading off to Alaska to cover another launch this week:

I’m heading to Kodiak, Alaska tomorrow for Astra’s (@astraspace) first orbital launch attempt, scheduled for August 2nd-7th. Here’s a look at (most of) the camera gear I’m bringing to capture this mission. Also: I’ll still be here in Florida to photograph the #Mars2020 launch — I’m flying out later in the day. 

and here is that image of (some) (some!!) of the kit he’s taking with him:

Wow.

But it was this comment:

and the reply:

that caught my eye.

“My picks, not yours” !!!

Actual lol.

It was (possibly) worth a try.

 

Photos: John Kraus.
Seriously – go and have a look at his work.

Rocket Science

Rocket Science. It’s not Brain Surgery. But that’s for another post.

I watched the recent (mostly) successful launch of Elon Musk’s Falcon Heavy rocket ship thing and I have this feeling that we have seen the future. I’m guessing that what we saw this week was pretty much the same as people seeing television or the internal combustion engine at work for the first time.

It’s ok to be amazed. In fact, I’d be disappointed if you weren’t.

Many people turned citizen journalist and consequently, there are many photographs and videos out there of the launch and landing(s), and they’re all incredible for the simple reason that what they were recording for posterity was incredible.

There are some winners though. I loved this video of the boosters coming in to land more than the others. The guy filming knows his stuff and he knows how to give us a decent soundbite as well.

(video deleted. sad panda.)

The guy filming knows his stuff and he knows how to give us a decent soundbite as well.

Comin’ in like meteors real, real fast… Two candles, comin’ down!

Wonderful. But then there was this:

Which blew me away completely.
It’s the work (as you can see) of John Kraus (website, IG):

I’m John Kraus, an 18-year-old photographer living on Florida’s Space Coast. From powerful rocket launches to scenic landscapes, from surfing to extreme weather, or even astronomy, I enjoy capturing everything that makes Florida unique.

What an absolutely astonishing photograph. Probably even more so given that it doesn’t feature the actual rocket. What a fresh angle. What an eye. What a talent.

One day, we’ll look back on this and be incredulous over our incredulity.

But for now… wow. Just wow.