Hot Air Balloons

[Michael_2010]

There is a hot air balloon festival in my vicinity this weekend and I was wondering how to best take some interesting shots. I'm particularly interested in the balloon glow tomorrow night starting an hour before sunset and continuing until an hour afterward.

I'm thinking I will carry two cameras. One with an ultra-wide and one with the 70-300mm. Any thoughts, or tips on how to capture these balloons? Any good links to other hot air balloon photos?

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

Michael here a thread that may help you-
Night Glow Balloon Fest- how could I have improved

I typed a whole heap of tips for you and then lost the link I'll repost when I have a moment.

[kcoppock]

I don't have any advice to add, but I am curious (as another Alabamian) where this festival is? Might be fun to check it out myself.

[Michael_2010]

Originally Posted by FlyingKiwiGirl

Michael here a thread that may help you-
Night Glow Balloon Fest- how could I have improved

I typed a whole heap of tips for you and then lost the link I'll repost when I have a moment.

Thanks Kiwi!

[Michael_2010]

Originally Posted by kcoppock

I don't have any advice to add, but I am curious (as another Alabamian) where this festival is? Might be fun to check it out myself.

Kevin it is the 7th Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival in Foley, Alabama. It kicked off today and will run through Sunday. I've never been to the thing and there are no guarantees I will make it tomorrow. Many, many years ago I was out in New Mexico and it just happened to be at a time when balloons came in from all over the country. The vision of all those balloons still sticks in my mind even though I didn't have a camera back then. Would like to get a glimpse of these and hopefully get it on the record this time.

http://www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com/

[Michael_2010]

I should have done a search for this topic before I started another one.

I don't want to drag a tripod around, so I am going with the wide open aperture and a high ISO. The only fast lens I own is the nifty fifty, so that idea is not going to happen either. Right now I am thinking I can beat the crowds and the heat, if I get over there at daybreak for their flight competition. That will probably further complicate the photographic challenge. I would like to catch them against the sunrise. Hmmmmmmmm.........

[kcoppock]

Originally Posted by Michael_2010

Kevin it is the 7th Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival in Foley, Alabama. It kicked off today and will run through Sunday. I've never been to the thing and there are no guarantees I will make it tomorrow. Many, many years ago I was out in New Mexico and it just happened to be at a time when balloons came in from all over the country. The vision of all those balloons still sticks in my mind even though I didn't have a camera back then. Would like to get a glimpse of these and hopefully get it on the record this time.

http://www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com/

Thanks, Michael! That does sound like it'd be quite an experience -- unfortunately I think it's a bit too far for me to justify the drive (about 7 hours, haha), but you'll certainly have to share some photos if you're able to make it.

[Michael_2010]

Gulf Shores is only about another 15 minutes further south from Foley. Maybe next year you can plan ahead and make a long weekend of it.

[kcoppock]

Originally Posted by Michael_2010

Gulf Shores is only about another 15 minutes further south from Foley. Maybe next year you can plan ahead and make a long weekend of it.

Sounds like a good idea to me!

[RichardTaylor]

Here is a few from my flickr stream.
They didn't lift off that day

Flickr: dicktay2000's stuff tagged with baloon

Exif data is available on the pics.

Good Idea on the ultrawide (I used a 24-105 on a 5D and a 70-300 on a 40D)
I wished I had wider, especially when I was on the ground under the balloons.

Shoot RAW as it will give you more leeway when PPing.
Exposure is straight forward except the gas burners are very bright when firing so you may find the flames blowing out (smile).