The Challenge of Shooting Alongside a Documentary Crew

Working alongside a media crew is a dance of silence and swift movements. My task was to capture the essence of the rover and the engineers behind this ambitious project, all while ensuring my presence was unobtrusive to the filming process. The Martian surface lab, a marvel of simulation with its walls adorned with images of Mars and a soil replica under dim red lights, was my playground and my challenge, all while maintaining the essence of our studio’s philosophy – capturing the extraordinary.

From the Pale Blue Dot to the Red Plains of Mars

At Pale Blue Dot Studio, our name embodies a profound connection with space exploration, inspired by Carl Sagan’s reflections on the Voyager image of Earth. This deep-rooted fascination with the cosmos recently led us to a unique photographic mission: capturing the essence of the ExoMars rover for National Geographic’s documentary, “ExoMars. L’impossible mission,” at Thales Alenia Space.

The Martian Set: A Photographer’s Dream

Immersed in the simulated Martian environment, with its walls depicting the red planet and the ground mimicking Martian soil, I found myself closer to being an astronaut on Mars than I ever imagined. The rover, a symbol of human ingenuity and curiosity, stood before me, ready for its moment in the spotlight. Amidst the documentary crew’s busy schedule, I weaved through, capturing this embodiment of exploration against a backdrop that resonated deeply with the ethos of Pale Blue Dot Studio.

Behind the Scenes: Conversations with Scientists

Interacting with the scientists at Thales Alenia Space was a reminder of the extraordinary nature of their daily work. Their humility was striking – for them, designing and testing rovers for Mars was just another day at the office. Yet, through my lens, I could see the grandeur of their endeavor, the silent heroes behind humanity’s next giant leap.

Feeling Like a Martian Explorer

There was a moment, brief yet unforgettable, when I found myself alone with the rover on the Martian set. Surrounded by dim red lights, I felt like Matt Damon in “The Martian.” It was more than a photoshoot; it was an immersion into the realm of space exploration, a childhood dream turned reality.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

Being a part of this project was more than a professional milestone; it was a personal journey that bridged my passion for photography with the studio’s celestial inspiration.

Space exploration represents the pinnacle of human curiosity and innovation, and standing there, amidst the mock Martian rocks, I was in awe of the minds and hands sculpting our path to the red planet.

A Playful Side of Science

Among the many memories, one stands out: an engineer’s playful attempt to immortalize his colleague’s tiny 3D printed head among the Martian rocks as a background for the interviews. Though the media crew eventually spotted and removed this hidden cameo, it was a humorous glimpse into the lighter side of a monumental project.

Check out the full image gallery here