A retired aerospace photographer’s guide to rocket launch photography - Photofocus
I saw my friend Chuck Uebele‘s photo of this beautiful rocket launch on Facebook, and I was absolutely blown away. The elegant arc of light cutting across the star-streaked sky over calm ocean waters—it was pure magic. I knew I had to know more. So, I reached out and asked him if he’d be willing to share how he captured such a stunning shot. Chuck, being a very talented photographer and always generous with his knowledge, was more than happy to break it down. And now, I’d like to share that with you. Chuck is a gifted photographer with decades of aerospace experience. Now that he’s retired, he chooses which launches to shoot just for the joy of it. That freedom allows him to be more creative and deliberate with each image—something that shines through in every shot. It starts with a launch schedule and trajectory Each launch photo begins with research. Chuck starts by checking websites like spacelaunchschedule.com for updated times and mission details. Launch times often shift—even a minute before lift off—so staying flexible is essential. Next comes studying the trajectory. From Chuck’s home base in California’s Pismo Beach area, the direction a rocket takes will determine the entire composition. If the rocket travels along the Baja California coast, the arc moves left from his viewpoint. If it heads farther out over the ocean, it swings right. That directional cue helps him visualize and frame the final image. Scouting the perfect location Once the trajectory is understood, Chuck scouts a location that adds visual interest to the frame—rocks, water, piers, or even reflections on the ocean. He uses tools like PhotoPills to map the rocket’s expected path and see where it will be visible from a specific location. Scouting happens in daylight, especially in darker, less familiar areas. Some locations are so dark at night that test shots are the only way to confirm framing. Planning ahead makes all the difference. Camera gear and setup Chuck arrives at his chosen spot about an hour before launch. This gives him plenty of time to set up his tripod, dial in settings, and run several test exposures. His go-to camera is the Nikon D850, a powerhouse for high-resolution, low-light photography. From his vantage point in Pismo Beach, he finds a focal length of 28mm to 35mm works best to capture the full arc of the rocket’s flight from lift-off through separation. Exposure settings and light considerations The rocket’s flame is bright enough to leave a clear trail even during twilight. But exposure balance is key—especially when reflections hit the water. Chuck’s typical starting settings: If there’s a lot of light pollution from nearby cities, piers, or a full moon, Chuck breaks the scene into multiple 15- to 30-second exposures. On darker nights, he can capture everything with just one or two long exposures. Timing for stage separation Capturing a SpaceX launch means dealing with stage separation, which creates a dramatic break in the rocket trail. Chuck uses this as a cue to start a second exposure and adjusts his settings by opening up about two stops to better record the fainter, higher-altitude trail that follows. If he’s shooting shorter exposures, he may use a magnetic ND filter, which he can remove just before the separation occurs. For this particular photo, Chuck opted for a continuous exposure. Knowing the stage separation would occur about two minutes into the flight, and aiming for a 10-minute base exposure, he triggered the shot 11 minutes before launch. The final exposure lasted about 13 minutes. At separation, he increased the ISO slightly and began a second exposure to capture the return of the first stage—this time, landing near the original launch site. Editing the final image Chuck combined two exposures using lighten mode, blending them into a single seamless shot. His editing approach is subtle and refined, aimed at enhancing the natural beauty of the scene without over-processing. Here’s how he approached the edit: In this image, Chuck left the long star trails intact for dramatic effect. In other shots, he sometimes adds a shorter exposure to create pinpoint stars and blends them in later. Final thoughts: Why this shot matters What makes this kind of shot so special isn’t just the technical challenge; it’s the symbolism. A single image like Chuck’s captures the raw force of science and the quiet wonder of the cosmos. It’s a moment of human achievement written in light across the canvas of the stars. So, if you’re considering photographing a rocket launch at night, don’t let the complexity hold you back. You can create something truly unforgettable with the right prep, gear, and patience. And who knows? The next time I scroll through Facebook, your photo might be the one that stops me in my tracks.
