Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Blogosphere Launch

The last launch of NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis, set for Friday, July 8 at 11:26 am, on a 
12-day mission to the International Space Station, marks the end of the 30-year Space Shuttle Program.

This is a perfect opportunity for me to launch into the blogosphere with my own tales of history as captured by my vision. With 28-years experience as a staff photographer for The Miami Herald I'm looking forward to covering my second and last launch. I'll be playing in the swamp with gators as I set up multiple remote cameras.

In celebration, I'll be giving away a free Think Tank Photo Urban Disguise® 70 Pro valued at $189.00! All you have to do is comment on my blog to enter. A random winner will be selected on July 22. Free shipping within the US mainland. All others must pay the postage through my PayPal account. 

If you are covering the launch, the first person that approaches me and says Think Tank Photo will receive a free gift Think Tank Photo Passport Holder. The second will receive a free gift Think Tank Photo Credential Holder.

Keep shooting for the stars and may the best shots be yours!

Al Diaz

99 comments:

  1. Hi Al, I guess I'm first to post on your blog!!

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  2. Hey Al,
    Don't know if you will remember this one but the two of us were part of Phil Sandlin's AP stringer class of 1978 (or so–old-age and a faulty memory might have my dates a bit off). We were covering some hurricanes that summer as I recall.

    Good to see you again these past couple of years on Facebook. Keep up the great work!
    Best, Mark Elias

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  3. I'll never forget those days! What an experience hanging with Sandlin for my first shuttle launch. Hurricane David 1979 from what I recall but there may have been others.

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  4. I would like to take a ride in one of them look forward to see what you come home with. Happy gator hunting.

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  5. Great blog post. Very cool giving out stuff to shooters at the launch, wish I was going to be there for the last launch, I'm totally jealous. I'll be watching live on NASA TV for sure. Good luck!

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  6. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 blast off!

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  7. Will await (im)patiently for your launch photos to arrive on MCT's doorstep so we can get them out to the world! :-)

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  8. Nice Blog Al!!! I really need that bag jejejeje!

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  9. Hi Al, 28 years! Wow! I was figuring out how long we have known each other and I believe that it was in 1998 when we met while we were both judges at a photo competition. And then I figured out that my first pro photographer job as a newspaper photographer was in 1969...time does fly! Enjoy the launch!

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  10. Congrats on your new Blog, Al. See you soon at Joe's!- Guillermo Garcia

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  11. you mean the Shittle? Shoot well! I know you will!

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  12. Nice blog Al. It's going to be fun following you via this blog. Have a great time at the launch.

    José Iglesias

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  13. Al, Congrats on the blog. I'll be reading it. Good luck with the Shuttle launch. May everything be on time and the crew return safely!

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  14. Hey Al,

    Good luck shooting the shuttle. I hope all is well.

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  15. Congrats on the blog...it's now bookmarked at the top of my list. Am also a stringer for the AP (since 81') under the "Mullet" in Alabama for most of that time. Did a launch under Phil once (STS-56). Worked with Pete Cosgrove and O'Meara
    (notoriously dunked 16 rolls into the bleach/fix first at a Tampa Bay game on my first day) ...Followed your Elian photos during "that" time. I remember thinking how cool it was that a stringer had gotten THE shot from the big story of the times. Good luck at the launch. Make em' proud.

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  16. It only took four days for someone to mix me up with Alan Diaz of the AP, LOL! I'm Al Diaz with The Miami Herald. Mullet, Chuck Luzier, Mark Elias, Eliot Schechter, Stan Badz, Bob Self, Raul DeMolina... we all used to string for Sandlin. Those were fun days.

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  17. Congrats on the new blog. Very slick!
    Wishing you great weather for the launch of Mission #STS-135.

    Here's a video for THE FINAL COUNDOWN:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_IKcMl_a9A

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  18. Good luck with the launch Al.

    Benny

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  19. "It only took four days for someone to mix me up with Alan Diaz of the AP, LOL! I'm Al Diaz with The Miami Herald. Mullet, Chuck Luzier, Mark Elias, Eliot Schechter, Stan Badz, Bob Self, Raul DeMolina... we all used to string for Sandlin."

    Did you forget someone? Hmmmm?

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  20. Good luck with the gators. Wish I was going with you!

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  21. Good luck with those gators Al! Man, how I wish I could be there to see the last one. As a much younger man than I am now, I was at the first public rollout of the shuttle in Palmdale, CA. My father was deeply involved in the manufacturing process at Rockwell for the first craft. My minds eye can clearly see this massive craft being rolled out and just standing there is awe. Looking forward to seeing the images.

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  22. Can't wait to read more. Have fun at the launch. Will be awaiting the pictures.

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  23. Congratulations on the blog! Also, very cool idea giving stuff to shooters at the press site. It will be my first (and last) -- am very much looking forward to it. Hopefully will see you there.

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  24. I've added your blog to my RSS feed. I look forward to seeing your posts!

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  25. Al,

    I'm super envious. I've been a life-long space freak and a shuttle launch was always on my bucket list. Alas, it will never come to pass.

    I've come close a few times with travel to central FL, for various reasons, but the stars never aligned and the missions were scrubbed.

    I look forward to your take from the event.

    Kevin

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  26. I am jealous you are down there for the launch can't wait to see you images. Blog now bookmarked.

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  27. Always great work now a blog to follow you on. Congratulations Al!

    -- Dave

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  28. Al,

    Looking forward to following your exploits! Best of luck on the new blog.

    -Hafe

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  29. As I mentioned before, I love my Think Tank products. Currently I am looking to sell my lowepro bag so I can swith it to Think Tank. Thanks again for turning me on to TT Al. Your work is amazing. Big Fan! All the best! I have placed my email on your blogs so I can get them there. Thanks

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  30. Finally, an Al Diaz blog. One of my favourite photographers from So Fla. Still look out for your stuff here in the UK. Joe

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  31. Hi Al,

    Wish I could be up there for the launch but we just returned today from the NC mountains and that drive was enough for the month. Looking forward to following your photography.

    Jorge

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  32. Good luck with the new blog -
    Have a blast! :P

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  33. Can't wait to see how you're going to incorporate the gators - good luck with the shoot. Mark Dolan (go gators!)

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  34. Nice new blog! Maybe I will win a prize too :D

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  35. Thanks for the blog. I need to get motivated and do one of these one day too.

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  36. Yep, September 1979 was Hurricane David. I remember hiking in New England as he blew through...... Pre-dates shuttle launches though.

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  37. Know anyone with an extra sound trigger?

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  38. Al, Have fun at the launch. I only covered one back in 1988. The first one after the Challenger accident. Say Hi to Scott Andrews if you see him.

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  39. Congrats on the blog! I wish I could have gotten to cover a launch. I grew up in Clear Lake, Texas right next to JSC. My whole neighborhood was astronauts.

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  40. Congrats on the blog. I'll be hollering "Think Tank Photo" at you from Space View Park...

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  41. Scott M. Lieberman, MDJuly 6, 2011 at 12:25 AM

    Good luck with the Blog, and with the Shuttle Launch. Don't think I will make it to KSC, But may make it down there yet. Say Hi to Mullet if he is there!

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  42. Bill Cooke, how could I forget. I still have fond memories of those days stringing for AP. We had a blast then too.

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  43. Hey Al! Great to see you blogging! So happy for you. Good luck on the launch!

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  44. Great looking blog, can't wait to see your shots.

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  45. Great Looking Blog Al! I will be at the launch but as a civilian with a camera. I've been to my share and just love being there when they lift off! Good luck with the blog and thanks for all of the great advice though the years.

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  46. I just saw David Burnett, http://www.davidburnett.com/, but he did not say the magic words. I still have two Think Tank Photo products to give away. I'm having BBQ at Sonny's for lunch in Titusville. Heading to KSC soon.

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  47. I'd like to shoot a shuttle launch. Guess it's too late. :(

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  48. Nice blog. Fun times tomorrow setting up remotes.

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  49. Hey Al!
    Hope you enjoyed the launch, it was quite the show at the JSC here in Houston. Good luck on the new blog.

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  50. Al.....glad you were able to see the last launch of the Space Shuttle. Now you need to see the landing.

    I wish I would have known you would be at the press site...I would have loved to have met you in person. Can't wait to see the rest of your photos.

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  51. 28 Years, wow :) I have watched the launch from my pc (unfortunately :)

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  52. Congratulations on the new blog, but especially seeing the last launch of the Space Shuttle. Green with envy!

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  53. Good luck with the new blog. Look forward to seeing more.

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  54. Man, I would love to shoot a launch. Raw power!

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  55. Congrats on the new blog. Love to hear behind-the-scenes bits from PJs, especially the grizzled vets. Looking forward to many more.

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  56. Nice blog. I hope that you have done a lot of great pictures during launch :)

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  57. Great! Good luck with the blog!

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  58. Hi Al! Great blog, great competition. Cheers! Dave

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  59. Hi Al.
    Wish I could be there shooting the last of an era...
    Good luck on your blog ;)

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  60. Great blog! I'd like to win the Think Tank Photo Urban Disguise 70 Pro.

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  61. Best of luck with your new blog. I am adding it to my reader as well :) That bag is awesome and I would love to win it! Thanks!

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  62. What a great gig. I just spent 2 hours talking about the early space program with my daughter and another friend who have been alive only for the space shuttle program. Great blog, great photos. The UD70 would be a great addition to my collection which is getting out of control.

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  63. Great blog! Inspiring! Thanks for being a witness for those who can't be there

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  64. I love reading photo blogs from real pros. Thanks!

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  65. I love seeing what catches other photographer's eye by looking at their photos! Seeing the world through their eyes/camera! Thank you!

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  66. Finally made it to FL for STS133 and had a blast! My UD50 was with me then. What a great bag. A UD70 would be a great addition to the bag collection.

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  67. Congrats on the new blog. Looks great. Definitely bookmarked.

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  68. Welcome to the blogosphere! Looking forward to reading.

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  69. Shooting the last shuttle launch sounds amazing. So does a ThinkTank Photo bag. I love my little Retrospective 5, but I can't bring much in it.

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  70. Hi Al, I was lucky to have been part of Hubble Space Telescope launch ops over 20 years ago and look forward to reliving some of that through your blog.

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  71. Your photos of the Olympics are AMAZING !!!

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  72. I am sure you captured some amazing shots. Its a chapter in history coming to an end. Congrats!

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  73. Great blog, looking forward to reading more!

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  74. jubbz@webmail.co.zaJuly 11, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    This would be great for my nice new camera

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  75. Think Tank rocks! Shooting the shuttle lunch looks like the opportunity of a lifetime.
    Like the blog.

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  76. Hey Al, Dennis Brickett here from Dallas:
    Multiple remote cameras? What and how many. Gonna miss the shuttles. Love the Think Tank!!!

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  77. Hi Al,

    Greetings from Cleveland! I'm very sad to see the Shuttle program come to an end. Congratulations on this being your 2nd Shuttle assignment. As I was listening to the news I was thinking how sad it was that I never covered a Shute Launch.

    Think Tank makes awesome gear!

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  78. Hey Al, I want to win the bag! Kevin Kolczynski

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  79. Nice to meet you Al, I found you from Think Tank Photo. Than you for the entry, great bag!

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  80. Hey Al, nice chatting with you the other day, great to meet both a fellow gator alum and ex gainesville sun photographer!

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  81. Hey Al, looking forward to reading your blog and seeing your photos.

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  82. Al, congratulations on your blog! I've always been a fan of your work, even back to my Herald days as a reporter. Good luck with this! :)

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  83. I have been following your photos since I moved to Miami in 1996.... Great stuff.

    One request: please post the address (or link) for the RSS feed so I can follow this in my reader.

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  84. Kit,
    Here is the RSS feed. I just set it up. Thanks for asking.
    feed://aldiazphoto.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

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  85. I'm working on building the list of all those who have commented.
    I'll post the winner on Saturday.

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  86. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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