Mitch Traphagen

The final launch

mitch — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:40:16 +0000

It was amazing enough to see the launch of Atlantis on July 8. It was even more amazing to feel it. Godspeed Atlantis.

STS-135 Atlantis

mitch — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:52:02 +0000

In my career, I’ve photographed presidents and celebrities and in all cases I felt honored to do so. But I have never been so struck as I was standing on Launchpad 39A in front the space shuttle Atlantis during the early morning hours of June 17, 2011. During the overnight hours, NASA opened the rotating service structure that protects the shuttle from inclement weather in order to load cargo. Since the shuttle was now visible, NASA invited credentialed media to visit the launch pad for a sunrise photo op. The weather, lighting and conditions weren’t perfect for photography that morning but that didn’t detract from actually being there.

Standing directly in front of Atlantis was awe-inspiring. It drove home just how much this nation has and can accomplish. This wasn’t the result of any political party — it is the result of an entire nation that believed in reaching for the stars. It is the result of extraordinarily brilliant and committed people and a very select group of brave and selfless astronauts. Standing directly in front of me was an American triumph that has no equal on earth. We do reach for the stars and this is good.

The press area for the launch is approximately three miles away, which is the closest people can be for it. I’ve been told that the crowd at the press site tend to be pretty reserved about such things. I’m not overly self-conscious, thus I’ll probably be easy to pick out of the thousands of people at the site. After I get my photographs, I’ll be the one cheering Atlantis on to the stars. It will be an honor and a privilege to do so. Go Atlantis!

What is old could be new again

mitch — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 19:07:57 +0000

In Ruskin, Florida, the fire department is moving into a brand, spankin’ new building. What to do with their old building? Well the Ruskin Community Development Foundation and the South Shore Arts Council has an idea: turn it into a cultural center to showcase the arts. Art has been a focus in Ruskin since the place began. If they can come up with a viable plan, the county will give it to them free of charge (well, after the $70K they need to make the bathrooms ADA compliant, that is). Not to mention, what should be considered “downtown Ruskin” could certainly use a boost. I think this could be just that thing but they will need our help.

Now, how ’bout a bakery / donut / coffee shop?

Baseball

mitch — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:44:13 +0000

While the north is still frozen, here in Florida this is the start of Little League Baseball season. The East Bay Little League kicked off their spring season last Saturday. I have no idea why but there’s something about this pic that makes me think everything in the world is going to be alright.

Covering Cops

mitch — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:02:53 +0000

I have a pretty good relationship with the local sheriff’s office (The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, District IV). Part of that comes from the fact that I respect the hell out of them. Every officer I’ve met – from the top brass to the deputies have been respectful, professional and personable. Due to that relationship, however, interviews tend to be more along the lines of a personal conversation than a media event. In other words, my digital recorder picks up stuff that, were I an evil and exploitative journalist, I could easily take out of context to create some pretty juicy headlines. Once, anyway (because I would never get another opportunity). Because I do have such respect, and because they have earned the respect, I work hard to ensure that I don’t do that sort of thing. I want to do right by them. As such, writing such an article can be a bit nerve-wracking. Should I include this or that? What about that quote? How will people interpret this? Last week I interviewed HCSO Major Ron Hartley – he had some great news in that the crime rate for the area had been cut in half over the past four years, even while the population of the area increased. I tried to do right by them. Not because I owe them anything, not because I have a relationship — but because it was the right thing to do. Besides, he’s a very good man.

Also, getting photos from cops is not always easy. No one officer ever wants to be seen as the center of attention. The Major here, wanted everyone but him to get the credit for the reduced crime rate. But the readers need something (in this case, someone) to focus on.

The Honorable Congressman

mitch — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:43:19 +0000

I spent a few hours early in the month in Des Moines shooting a series of videos for Congressman Leonard Boswell. His schedule does not allow for anything in the way of prep work or re-takes. We give him a subject and we shoot – and generally have to get it right the first time. Fortunately, we don’t want the videos looking too polished. The Congressman is an honest man and shooting on the fly conveys that very well – much better than if we’d used a studio, lights, make-up, etc. This is all real-life stuff.

In one video, he wanted to ask the constituents to send in ideas for people and places he could visit while he was in the district. I shot it using a Canon 7D, a Canon HV30 and, at the last minute, a Canon G11 (of all things). I just handheld the G11 near the floor.

Another video was shot in a conference room we borrowed from a business in the building that houses his district congressional office. I had virtually no control over ambient noise and the lighting was less than perfect. The purpose of the video was to let people know his thoughts about the 112th Congress – and to solicit feedback from people via YouTube and Facebook.