In this article, we will talk about one of the benefits that we found from attending NASA Social events and other space events such as launches. Other than being able to view history with your own eyes and capture history, social connections are often an area which might not often get much attention. However, with an open mind, one can meet a lot of new people, such as we did at the Mars 2020 Perseverance launch!
After taking all of the precautions and staying socially distant, we had an opportunity to meet and speak with Jared Frankle, who is a Social Media Manager and Photographer for the National Space Society.
During our time chatting with him, we were able to perform a short interview as shown below:
Michael: How did you get interested in this type of photography?
Jared: I was interested in space since I was little, as I can remember the first time my family visited KSC. I guess you could say my growing usefulness with a camera and my interest in space collided at some point.
Michael: When did you start doing this?
I started to get into photography in general once I got my Canon Powershot SX530 HS in 2017. The Powershot was a mid-tier point and shoot/bridge camera, but it helped me learn a lot of the skills I would need to use a DSLR. I soon became dissatisfied with it and hacked it so it would take long exposures, allowing me to take photos of the ISS going over my house. Eventually I got a Canon T6i DSLR in 2018 and that is when it really took off. Now I had the ability to shoot launch photos at night, which at the time I thought were some of the coolest photos. It also allowed me to get into astrophotography, which I also thought was fascinating. The first launch I shot was Telestar 19v on a SpaceX Falcon 9, July 21st, 2018, which was shot using my Canon Powershot of all things.
Michael: Where do your photos get posted?
Jared: As of right now I have a portfolio on SmugMug, https://chefwithacamera.smugmug.com/, and post to my twitter @JFranklephoto, as well the National Space Society’s Instagram. In the future I hope to contribute outside of that to the NSS Ad Astra magazine as well as the NSS online blog. https://twitter.com/JFranklephoto
Michael: How can others follow in your footsteps?
Jared: Just sit down for a day and watch YouTube videos, I’m serious. The best way to get inspiration and know how free of charge is right there, I have spent many hours just pouring over photography and astrophotography videos. Learn the ins and outs of photography, educate yourself on the gear you might purchase, and even learn how to make money from your photography.
Also, try to build up a social media profile on twitter or Instagram, especially concerning space/photography. One of the things that can get you into is NASASocials, which are special events at NASA centers for social media people. Not only will you get to take lots of photos and put your skills to the test, but you can experience so much more than just a regular tour will offer, or even what the press gets sometimes. I have attended three NASASocials so far and I can say it’s a one of a kind experience. Also, you don’t have to be a popular person on social media to get in, I got into my first social when I had just around 100 followers on twitter, I was basically a nobody then. What’s even better is that you can keep applying even if you get denied your first try, and even if you get accepted, there is no limit to how many you can attend. However, because of COVID-19, there is no word so far on when the socials will resume.
Michael: What is your dream shoot?
Jared: I know I have one of my dream shots down, a perfect streak shot. My best shot was the launch of Solar Orbiter, which the photo was published by NASA in the launch press release! My next two dream shots are: a photo of a rocket taking people to the moon and a good quality photo of the Orion nebula.
To follow along with Jared’s photography and journey follow him here: http://twitter.com/JFranklephoto & https://chefwithacamera.smugmug.com/
Keep track of future articles and amazing photography from CosmosPNW by following us on social media at twitter.com/cosmospnw and instagram.com/cosmospnw
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