Still Imaging- Location Photography

by Chris Lynch & Quentin Schwinn

Photo of Delta III Second Stage Rocket Motor Lifted into B-2 Test Chamber

This photo is the culmination of approximately 2.5 days work to place, synchronize, and light the interior space of the B-2 building and test chamber. Both Quentin Schwinn and Chris Lynch of the Imaging Technology Center based at NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, OH planned and executed the photos with the cooperation of many other individuals at the Plumbrook Station B-2 facility located near Sandusky, OH.

The primary shot, which is a high angle view of the rocket motor as it is being lowered into the test chamber, was taken with a Hasselblad 503 CX camera and a 50mm/F4 lens set at F11 with a shutter speed of 1/60th second. The image was exposed onto Kodak PRN professional color negative film and processed in house at the Imaging Technology Center. Polaroid test exposures were made prior to the final exposure to ensure proper lighting ratios, exposure, and full synchronization of the 10 Broncolor power packs used to provide adequate light levels.

Since available light levels and the flourescent light sources were inadequate for acceptable results, the decision was made to bring in electronic flash units to illuminate the scene. Six Broncolor 3200 watt second packs were placed on high ladder/catwalk locations for the primary light source. Four of these units were to the left of the camera position at approximately 40' and 70' off the floor of the building. These packs, ganged in pairs, were powering a 6400 watt second Broncolor twin tube head with a P-70 reflector. On the camera side of the building at the same heights of 40' and 70' were single 3200 watt second packs with a single flash head faced with a P-70 reflector.

On the main floor off to the far right under the overhang is one 3200 watt second head and pack for a little rim light. At the very bottom of the test chamber were 3 heads all with P-70 reflectors aimed straight up at the rocket motor. Two of these units were Primo 1600 watt second packs and the third was a Broncolor 3200 watt second pack. These power packs were synchronized by Quantum Radio Slave 4I units since they were so far from the other packs located outside the chamber.

One important concern was coordinating setting off the lights after receiving permission from the crane operator. Due to safety concerns regarding the possibility of momentarily blinding a member of the crane/saftey crew, we needed to clear all our actions with the operators. Considering the complexity of safely rigging the lamp heads and securing adequate amounts of 100 volt power to the packs located far above the ground, the resulting image works quite well and shows the complexity of lifting the Delta III Rocket Motor into the B-2 test facility.

View a higher resolution version of this image - JPEG 855KB

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Last Updated: 11/7/2008