How to take rocket launch photos on the Space Coast

What's the secret to getting a gorgeous rocket launch photo?

Practice, practice, practice, says Craig Bailey, a veteran visual journalist for FLORIDA TODAY and the USA TODAY Network. "Be prepared to fail because you will (nobody's perfect)," he adds. "Follow the vehicle until you can't see it anymore."

Bailey had his camera at the ready early Saturday and Sunday for the United Launch Alliance Delta Delta IV Heavy rocket launch from Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

After a scrub on Saturday, the Delta Heavy launched at 3:31 a.m. a day later carrying with it the Parker Solar Probe for a mission to the sun. Most likely, Bailey took hundreds of photos in order to get "the shot" that landed on the front page of FLORIDA TODAY.

While media access gets him close to the launch vehicles, there are other ways to get a gorgeous rocket launch photo:

• Understand the limitations of your camera. You can get a good launch photo with your cell phone if the conditions are right.

• Try getting some kind of foreground in your shot like building, people, trees, water, and monuments.

• Be patient, and be willing to work on the rocket launch's schedule. The Parker Solar Probe mission launch windows, for example, opened just after 3 a.m. when most people were asleep.

• Practice, practice, practice: There were about 15 launches this year already. Photograph each one.

Bailey's favorite tip (did we say practice already?) sometimes takes a little more, according to the award-winning photographer. "Sometimes," he says, "you just get lucky."

Click on the photo galleries to see some amazing rocket launch photos on the Space Coast.

Follow FLORIDA TODAY's visual journalists on social media:

• Craig Bailey: @cbphoto1 on Twitter  |  @crbphoto1 on Instagram

• Malcolm Denemark: @malcolmdenemark  on Twitter  |  @malcolmdenemark on Instagram

• Tim Shortt: @shortttimothy on Twitter  |  @photogtim1 on Instagram