Hello, Earth

Ever wonder what BPSOP instructors do when they’re not teaching?

Since 2013 Brit Hammer has enjoyed working with Dutch astronaut André Kuipers on several big projects, including his new movie, Beyond: Ode to the Earth.

For this feature-length film, Brit and her husband, Armand Dijcks, were brought into the project at the outset to source footage. Having spent much of the last 10 years reviewing 1.2 million photos (thus far) shot from the International Space Station for her own initiative, The TERRA Project, Brit was happy to help. Her main task was to find, organize, and prepare hundreds of thousands of frames for the time lapse film sequences. This included finding the dark frames from each of the several cameras used on the space station to correct a multitude of hot, stuck, and dead pixels in each frame.

Fun fact: As of 2024 there are approximately 5 million photos shot from the International Space Station, available to the public. Crew mates André Kuipers, Don Pettit, and Oleg Kononenko shot 472,475 photos during their 6-month mission on the International Space Station. This includes 1,078 time lapse sequences, comprised of 308,770 frames. Among Brit’s favorites are the artistic, long-exposure star-trail sequences shot by Don Pettit, well known to the astrophotography fans among us. And guess what? Movie-goers will be treated to many of these amazing star trail sequences in Beyond: Ode to the Earth!

Photos: astronaut Don Pettit

Here’s another fun fact: Don Pettit and André Kuipers made history in 2012 by berthing the first private spacecraft (SpaceX Dragon 1) to the International Space Station. The successful capture demonstrated the feasibility of using privately developed spacecraft to resupply the space station.

Beyond: Ode to the Earth
October 4 — film première

JOIN 70 ASTRONAUTS LIVE AT THE FILM PREMIÈRE
Including Scott Kelly (1 year in space) and Rusty Schweickart (Apollo 9)

Space lovers will especially enjoy this sound and vision experience, set to music by Vangelis.

The evening begins with an interactive SpaceTalk, with the astronauts on stage to field a selection of audience questions, asked in advance.

Then it’s time for lift off! Beyond: Ode to the Earth gives you the experience of going to space and seeing the beauty of Earth as if you were an astronaut. Best of all, you’ll get to experience this live with real astronauts!

Beyond: Ode to the Earth
8pm on Friday, October 4, 2024
Ziggo Dome arena in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Find out more here

Become the best photographer you can be

Whether you are new to photography or have been shooting for years, you won’t want to miss taking a class with Brit Hammer.

Brit has been mentoring photographers and artists for over 20 years. She will work with you where you’re at and help you reach your own personal next level.

Most importantly, Brit’s students love her gentle image reviews that are always full of positive energy.

Brit’s classes are offered 4 TIMES PER YEAR and FILL UP FAST.
Secure your spot now!

Finding Beauty
Beautiful Black & White

“There are great photographers and great teachers, but it is rare to find a great photographer who’s also a wonderful instructor; Brit embodies that rare combination.”

MORE FROM BRIT

Private mentoring
Photography tutorials
Fine Art Prints – The TERRA Collection

WHAT BRYAN PETERSON SAYS ABOUT BRIT HAMMER

“I rarely speak out with this level of enthusiasm for any of our instructors because ALL of our instructors are equally great in teaching their individual craft, so why have I chosen to call attention to one of our instructors, Brit Hammer? Simply because of Brit’s ability to transform each of her students’ vision from good to great consistently, time and time again; in part because of her insightful lessons, but I can say unequivocally that Brit’s greatest strength is her in-depth and disarming critique style of each student’s weekly assignments. It is the most often comment I receive from BPSOP students: ‘Brit’s critiques were the greatest value in this course. The assignments were great, BUT the critiques were by far the most valuable!’ In closing, if you have yet to take a class from Brit, consider filling the ‘void’ with the best opportunity to grow your photography in ways you have perhaps never imagined!“ — Bryan F. Peterson

“I just wanted to thank you for another wonderful class. I have to confess that each week when I read the new assignment, my first reaction was mild panic and a deep certainty that I would not be able to produce anything worthwhile that fit within the parameters you had set. But before I knew it, the ideas started to flow, and I quickly became obsessed (no, that isn’t too strong a word!) with exploring the possibilities. I can honestly say that the photos I produced in response to your assignments are among my favorites. Thanks for bringing out a creative side I didn’t know I had!”

Barbara Geiger
Understanding Color

“Thank you so very much for this course! It’s allowed me to take the blinders off and present my images for what I want them to be without being a slave to the “reality” of the camera. I would also add that in conjunction with your printing course, this has been the most useful course I’ve ever taken. Your notes are more than comprehensive and your comments and critiques are direct, clear, and always directed to the improvement of the art.”

Bill
After the click

” I want to thank you for this class and for your patience and availability to answer all of my questions. I have learned very much through this class. I have used LR in the past, but mostly for editing images. I now have a better grasp in the organization of my images, an even better understanding of editing images, and an understanding of the value of presets. I still have a lot to learn, but this has put me on the road to be able to improve my photography. Again, thank you! ”

Dale Yates
Lightroom Quickstart

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