NASA Social - Dryden Flight Research Center

[Scott Youmans]

^^^^ Great capture Matt. If you don't mind, let an old fat man (me) offer you a few thoughts on how to make your image even better IMO. Go to more of a pano type crop 16:9 or even 2.39:1. Get rid of most of the foreground. I like brown sage brush as much as the other guy; however, it is a distracting element. Clone out the 2,000' sign and the red/white shack - also distracting. Open up the shadows under the 747 (not the shuttle). Don't over do it, just a smidge. Lastly, add a little structure (tonal contrast) to the smoke coming off the mains. It will help emphasize this great part of your image.

Now this is nothing more than my opinion and you should take it with a liberal grain of salt. I think a different crop would bring the viewer closer to the main image and the other edits bring out some of the better elements. Feel free to ignore my suggestions as the ravings of an old fat man who is past is prime. I know Mrs. Welker would agree in spades 

Jeff, photographically I would say you are in your prime and getting better.  I won't venture to comment about any other areas of your life!

[Matt Ottosen]

Jeff, is this more what you had in mind?

[Jeff D. Welker]

Yes sir. Nice work Matt.

[Matt Ottosen]

Yes sir. Nice work Matt.

Thank you, Jeff.

[Matt Ottosen]

Space Shuttle Endeavour sitting atop NASA's Boeing 747-123 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), departing en route to LAX.  This would be the very last Shuttle/SCA departure ever.