Rare NASA Photos Reveal Seldom Seen Views of the Apollo Program Moon Landing

It’s one of the many rejected Apollo images stored in NASA’s archives. Here’s a selection of those extraordinary, intimate, funny, friendly, and always fascinating views to celebrate the 51 anniversary of the landing on the Moon, Apollo 11.

Cameras come in lots of different sizes and shapes, yet they all have a few fundamental things in common. A lens to focus on your subject and a housing with a handle to hold it, finally a mechanism to record the image.

With all the advancements in today’s digital cameras, both beginners and professional photographers can pretty much enjoy fully automatic settings.

Apollo 16 astronaut Charles Duke at the front of the Lunar Rover, EVA 3, April 1972. Credit: NASA.
Apollo 16 astronaut Charles Duke at the front of the Lunar Rover, EVA 3, April 1972.
Credit: NASA.

Photos Taken on the Moon Were on Film

However, the key to achieving excellent images will always be the one behind the camera. Here we will take a look at Apollo Programs scarce pictures taken from highly trained astronauts.

Even if many of the pictures are blurred and not so optimal, we should appreciate all of these pictures.

And it is a good time to note that most of the photos taken on the Moon were taken on film.

By an astronaut wearing a partially inflated balloon, with the camera attached to his chest so he couldn’t look through the viewfinder, using only a number of a preset camera focuses and aperture stops.

Frankly, it’s fantastic that so many photos did turn out well. It’s a testament to the training and skill of the lunar astronauts.

Apollo 16 astronaut Charles Duke assembling a double core near the Lunar Rover, EVA 3, April 1972. Credit: NASA.
Apollo 16 astronaut Charles Duke assembling a double core near the Lunar Rover, EVA 3, April 1972. Credit: NASA.

Basic Photography Composition Techniques

Here is a list of some of the most commonly practiced photography composition techniques that the astronauts didn’t use to get an optional photo. See how they can help you bring your photography to the next level if you should ever take a Moon picture or are just interested in photography.

Simplification – Remember, even in photography, less is more.

Leading Lines and Shapes – Use them to your advantage by allowing them to change the way your audience views your image.

Filling the Frame – You should always move in closer to your subject to strengthen your composition.

This July 20, 1969 photo made available by NASA shows Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin in the Lunar Module cabin during the translunar coast. AP
This July 20, 1969 photo made available by NASA shows Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin in the Lunar Module cabin during the translunar coast. AP

Rule of Thirds – This basic composition technique is based on the idea that is placing your subjects; off-center yields a more robust, more natural-looking composition and allows you to make creative use of negative space.

Framing – Also called sub-framing, this type of compositional technique involves using or adding frame elements to emphasize and lead the viewer’s eye towards your subject or to add interest to your image simply.

Color and Contrast – You can choose to include one or several bold and striking colors to make your subjects stand out, or you can go for pastel shades for light and pretty visuals.

Picture showing a close-up photo of the docking target on the roof of LM, Lunar Module as seen from the CM or the Command Module as it docked. Credit: NASA.
Picture showing a close-up photo of the docking target on the roof of LM, Lunar Module as seen from the CM or the Command Module as it docked. Credit: NASA.

Far and Between Apollo Images From NASA

Symmetrical Balance – We unconsciously look for symmetry in all things, and a photograph with elements that are almost perfectly balanced usually makes for a very appealing image.

Asymmetrical Balance – Try including two different or contrasting subjects or elements and place them off-center (following the Rule of Thirds). They can be anything — two different objects, two of the same object that differ in size or color, uneven yet balanced amounts of light and dark tones, or two different concepts.

Image showing a close-up of astronaut David Scott covered with lunar dust, EVA 2, Apollo 15, August 1971. Credit: NASA.
Image showing a close-up of astronaut David Scott covered with lunar dust, EVA 2, Apollo 15, August 1971. Credit: NASA.

Contrast – It works similarly in improving your composition, more so for monochromatic images. It can also be used to make your subject stand out—simply surround your item and fill the frame with lighter colors, or vice versa.

Depth and Layering – The effect becomes more visually compelling when you have at least three dominant layers in your image — your foreground, middle, and background.

Again, these are not strict rules, but rather guidelines that you can choose to use to improve the overall composition of your images. So, let’s start viewing these far and between Apollo images from NASA.

Rare Photos From Apollo Era

Below is astronaut Michael Collins from Apollo 11 Mission to the Moon floating around with a NASA camera. If you want to know more about the cameras NASA was using, then check out this article: Apollo’s TV Cameras Left on the Moon.

Apollo 11 Mikael Collins command module pilot and a floating camera.
Apollo 11 Michael Collins command module pilot and a floating camera. Credit: NASA.

The picture from the Apollo program beneath is showing the lunar surface taken from an unusual angle. The image was taken from the Apollo 15 lunar mission during an Extravehicular Activity (EVA).

Apollo 15. Geology at station 7. Spur Crater's Station during EVA 2, August 1971. Credit: NASA.
Apollo 15. Geology at station 7. Spur Crater’s Station during EVA 2, August 1971.
Credit: NASA.

Thanks for reading, see also my posts on Neil Armstrong – First Man on the Moon. A fascinating essay about this American hero.

Check out the new book ‘How We Got to the Moon’ will reveal a stunning look at Apollo 11 Mission to the Moon.

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