Michael Soluri Explores Pluto Through Pictures

Moab Master, Michael Soluri, is thrilled that his photograph of the New Horizons probe (back in 2005 before launch) was chosen for Kenneth Chang’s front page story in Sunday’s (July 19) print edition of the New York Times, along with the WIRED and Smithsonian Magazine. 

9-1/2 years and 3 billions miles later, the New Horizons spacecraft sent back close up images of Pluto. Michael Soluri has been documenting the mission since 2005 photographing the scientists, flight controllers and engineers to learn about the people involved in the process of discovering our solar system. 

"I have always been struggling to find the humanity in space exploration, on Earth and above," says Soluri. "I brought my sons down to the Air and Space Museum in 1984 or 1985. I took them in, and there was an exact replica of the Viking lander [sent to Mars in 1975]. So we're looking at it, and there's this big robot and I'm seeing all this text, and something's puzzling me: I didn't see the picture of the person who made it possible. And I held on to that for like 20 years."
-Michael Soluri (Smithsonian.com) 

Michael Soluri and the team at Moab is looking forward to seeing these photographs in PRINT! 

Behind the Scenes of the Final Mission to Service the Hubble Telescope

Nicole Crowder from the Washington Post wrote a facinating article including an interview with Moab Master, Michael Soluri about his experience  with "Infinite Worlds".  On April 11, Smithsonian Associates will present a seminar at the Hirshhorn Museum as part of the 25th anniversary of the Hubble Telescope featuring four individuals who played key roles in Service Mission SM4. 

In Sight: Was there ever a moment during this whole process when you stepped back and reflected on the magnitude of what you were documenting?

Soluri: Oh yes. It amazed me that all of this was made in the United States. I’m realizing that these astronauts and crew members really care about what they’re doing. They care about their precision the same way I care about mine as a photographer. There is that sense of duty and dedication. Science is happening on its own through engineering. I think sometimes the country forgets that. I’m from upstate New York, and I would go to these small towns and fireman’s festivals sometimes and look for that sense of what is America. In the images of these people and astronauts who worked on the Hubble telescope project, that’s a piece of Americana within their world. This is their work world, and this is the culture of American space flight. This book represents what was and what would be. The telescope cannot be repaired mechanically. The Hubble works, but the human touch is what was needed."

Read more on the Washington Post webpage. 

Scenes from a Spacewalk- A Starry Night at the National Air and Space Museum

Enjoy an exclusive after-hours program at the National Air and Space Museum's newest exhibition:Outside the Spacecraft. Immerse yourself in the gallery's artifacts and artwork through creative activities and one-on-one conversations with the exhibition curator, featured artist, and an astronaut—all while indulging in cocktails and hors d'oeuvres inspired by the exhibition.

While most of us will never wear a spacesuit to repair the Space Station or use a tether to stay attached to a spacecraft, this rather unnatural line of work inspires and fascinates us. Join exhibition curator Jennifer Levasseur, art photographer and author Michael Soluri, and a very special guest, NASA associate administrator for science and former astronaut John Grunsfeld, to hear musings on their work, and experience the rich visuals created from it. Witness how reflections within the artwork can change our experience of it and set off on a challenge to find those reflections. Discover more about living and working in space with our Education team, and do not miss the opportunity to get into gear for your spacewalk photo op.

Tickets: $35, cost of admission includes a light food and beverage reception.
All discounted tickets have sold out. A limited number of regular tickets are still available.

Congratulations to Michael Soluri on Infinite Worlds

Congratulations to Michael Soluri on his new book, Infinite Worlds, and his insightful presentation with journalist Miles O'brien on the people behind the scenes in the worlds of NASA during SM4. 

Infinite Worlds: The People and Places of Space Exploration

Moab Master, Michael Soluri, creates a stunning, unprecedented collection of photographs and essays that goes behind the scenes at NASA, in which the humanity of the astronauts, engineers, scientists, technicians, and ground crews that contributed in saving the Hubble Space Telescope are revealed.

At the Intrepid Sea, Space and Air Museum on Decemeber 10th at 7:30, join photographer Michael Soluri and science journalist Miles O’Brien for an exclusive journey behind the scenes at NASA during preparations for the STS-125 Hubble Servicing Mission. Infinite Worlds, Soluri’s new collection of stunning photographs and accompanying essays, introduces us to the often unseen astronauts and unsung technicians, administrators and ground crew that completed the final servicing mission of the Hubble Space Telescope. Books will be on sale and available for signing.

PhotoPlus Day 1 Highlights

What a whirlwind of a day! The show was packed. Slickrock Metallic Silver almost stole the show, but it had some stiff competition with the Moab Master presentations at the far end of the booth. Large 40x60 prints on the Silver from Harold Davis and Jim LaSala truly showed the impressive caliber of this amazing paper.

And those who were able to see the five Moab Master presentations got a real treat with insights into NASA, Haiti, Cuba, African wildlife and fashion. Live Slickrock printing demos on the new Canon Pixma PRO-1 rounded out the day.

The line-up tomorrow is equally impressive:

11:00am Michael Zide Through A Photographer’s Eyes
12:00pm Jody Dole Renowned image maker and digital photographer pioneer
3:00pm Ryszard Horowitz Capturing nonexistent world

Star-studded speaker line-up at PhotoPlusExpo

Get ready to be dazzled (and informed) by some of the biggest names in photography. We're pretty stoked to announce the photographers who will be giving short presentations in the Moab booth (#750) during the upcoming PhotoPlusExpo show in NYC.

Like all things Moab, we are taking a slightly different approach to these presentation: We've simply asked the speakers to talk about themselves and their work - no sales pitch. Some will be conducting hands-on printing workshops while others will be providing an intimate discussion on their work. Harold Davis will even be giving away copies of his new book!

We're still hammering out the exact times, but the confirmed line up will include Andy Biggs, Barbara Bordnick, Harold Davis, Jody Dole, Robert Farber, Jim Graham, Ryszard Horowitz, Douglas Kirkland, Jim LaSala, Michael Soluri, Salvatore Vasapolli and Michael Zide.

As you can see, all the photographers are at the peak of their game, each having made a huge impact on the photo industry. Expect every presentation to be a keynote event.

Enterprise arrives in New York

"Have to say that just when I thought I had experienced  “it all” shooting my shuttle/Hubble project, seeing the 747 flyby the field that morning was breathtaking.

With so much enthusiasm from the range of kids to adults in attendance, it’s challenging to believe that there is limited congressional support for American human space flight!"

Michael Soluri

Here are some more of Michael's images from that day

Michael Soluri on Documentary Portraiture

This summer up at the Maine Media Workshops, Moab Master, Michael Soluri will conduct a week-long workshop from June 3-9 delving into the secrets behind capturing the perfect portrait.

By a perfect portrait, we mean being able to get to the heart and soul of the subject. The workshop will cover both the natural and technical aspects of shooting on location with limited (often available) light sources and equipment.

The class will touch on every aspect of production with an added emphasis on post-production to obtain the perfect printed image (on Moab's Entrada, of course). 

Learn more about this workshop here, and be sure to register early as the class is limited to 14 slots. 

The End of an Era

Last week's return of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, marks the end of the NASA Shuttle program.  So, we thought it timely to check in with photographer and Moab Master, Michael Soluri, who has documented the final few years of the shuttle program.

A really cool photo essay was recently published online in NPR's The Picture Show gallery.  Back in 1972 Soluri photographed the workers behind the scenes at Kennedy Space Center.  These striking B&W images detail the jobs of NASA technicians and engineers.

For something a little different, Time Magazine published a collection of Soluri's work covering the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in West Virginia.  

As the space shuttles find their new permanent homes around the US, expect to see a lot more from Soluri in the coming months.

Space Photography

There's something awe-inspiring to see images taken from space.  Usually the images provoke the curiosity in us - like 'how' was this shot or 'what' were the Astronauts doing?

Moab Master, Michael Soluri has some answers. Soluri had exclusive (and unprecedented) access to the space shuttle mission that saved the Hubble Telescope.  Some of his story was recently published in Aperture Magazine and an excerpt can be read here.

With the final NASA shuttle launch still pending, the enormity of Soluri's project comes into focus.  Some say the final launch marks the end of an era.  We're just grateful Soluri was able to document and share his images with the world.  Stay tuned for a national exhibit of his work and a book sometime in 2012. When his exhibition goes up, his gorgeous images will be printed on Moab Entrada Rag.