Casual Space 07: Through the NASA Lens: A Discussion with NASA Photographer Mark Sowa
In this episode, Beth and Mark discuss:
The unique behind the scenes perspective as witnessed by a NASA photographer
The opportunity Mark created when he didn't fit "traditional pre-defined roles" in school
Watching space movies without a bias (is this even possible)?
Some of the most memorable moments NASA gave us, and how we share them with the world
Key Takeaways:
Mixing art with science is not only possible, it greatly benefits our perspective.
Documenting the good days can be rewarding, and documenting the difficult days can share a true perspective.
Space exploration is for everyone, and NASA has made all images shared available to explorers big and small!
About Mark Sowa:
https://www.annenbergphotospace.org/person/mark-sowa/
Photographer Mark Sowa is the supervisor of NASA's Imagery Acquisition Group at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. He has photographed 45 crew portraits, countless individual astronaut portraits, documented engineering and astronaut training aboard NASA's reduced‑gravity aircraft, and dived over 1,300 times while photographing suited extravehicular training underwater in NASA's Water Environment Training Facility and later in NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Training Facility. He has logged many hours flying aboard NASA's reduced gravity aircraft.
Operating eight different camera systems, the NASA photography team captures images, HD video, high speed digital motion picture, time‑lapse and spherical 360 panoramas as a record of research and development at NASA. The wide range of multimedia products produced by Sowa's team not only record humankind's efforts in space exploration but inspire the public.
Connect with Mark Sowa:
Twitter: @marksowa
Website: https://www.annenbergphotospace.org/person/mark-sowa/
About Beth Mund:
Beth's love for space started as a Space Camp attendee at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, where she would return years later as an instructor. After grad school, Beth worked as a journalist, a technical writer for Motorola, and then went on to serve as a Public Affairs Officer for the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. In addition, Beth worked to support the International Space Station program as a communication specialist. In Chicago, Beth worked as an corporate communication advisor to Fortune 50 companies including Allstate and United Airlines. She's worked as a college instructor, a political advisor, and public relations manager for her hometown city. Beth recently founded Stellar Communications, LLC and travels the country as a keynote speaker- inspiring audiences with her lessons learned from our nation's space program. She's the host of the Casual Space Podcast, and a self-proclaimed space geek.
Connect with Beth Mund:
Email: bethisbeth@me.com
Website: bethmund.com
Facebook: @BethMund
Show notes by show producer/podcastologist: Laura Gray