This was the first time I attempted to photograph a Shuttle launch. The film camera equipment was inferior and I didn't know anything about photography. In fact, everything I've learned over the years has been self taught. Overall, though, I was satisfied with what I got. And it only got better from here.
I went down with a group of buds from college. Our final location to witness the launch was the CBS News pad at the KSC Press Site. We talked our way onto their pad...promising not to interfere with the broadcast. These good field reporters at CBS News took a chance on us and it paid off for everybody.
I deliberately did not touch up these photos with imaging software to help contrast photo quality from the early 90's to today.