How to shot Hot Air Balloons at night as the are being inflated
Nov 17, 2019 15:17:40 #
Jim S
Loc: Barrington RI, DC now Hilton Head,
What lens, what settings and any advice would be great
Thanks
Thanks
Nov 17, 2019 15:31:58 #
Dang, from the title I thought you were going to tell me how....... 
Nov 17, 2019 15:43:59 #
Jim S
Loc: Barrington RI, DC now Hilton Head,
Jim S wrote:
What lens, what settings and any advice would be great
Thanks
Thanks
I can not spell very good SHOOT not shot
Nov 17, 2019 15:46:39 #
Nobody can tell you exactly the best possible settings to use, that depends on how late at night and what camera you use. This is something best practiced by yourself.
Nov 17, 2019 16:07:28 #
Lots depend on the level of existing light. If there is a staging area for inflation of the balloons, there might be some work lights in place. There will be action taking place so you will need some reasonably fast shutter speeds and some depth of field which will require stopping down of the aperture so a fairly high ISO setting will be needed. You may also want to consider using flash if you have a speedlight. A wide angle lens or zoom setting might be handy so you can include the folks working and a partially or fully inflated balloon.
Not knowing the exact conditions and what kinda shots you are planning this is just very generalized advice.
I don't imagine such preparations are going to happen in total darkness.
Not knowing the exact conditions and what kinda shots you are planning this is just very generalized advice.
I don't imagine such preparations are going to happen in total darkness.
Nov 17, 2019 16:08:41 #
Ched49 wrote:
Nobody can tell you exactly the best possible settings to use, that depends on how late at night and what camera you use. This is something best practiced by yourself.
Exactly. Experiment and, educate us.
Nov 17, 2019 17:57:56 #
I like to use a mild telephoto - around 100 to 150mm. That allows you to stand back and cover a lot of scene but zero in on what you want. I have a personal thing about getting in other's way. If there is a hill or elevated point, I try to grab a spot in order to shoot above people's heads. I found my f2.8 70-200 works well here.
You're usually shooting at around sunset / dusk so open up your ISO (3200+, depending on your camera).
I usually go with a wide (f2.8 - f4.0) aperture on Aperture Priority. I also use a tripod to handle the longer exposures. I've shot some at 1/4 sec. If you are at a distance and on a tripod, that may only be a real problem if people are walking around.
There are so many "depends" no one can give a great suggestion of where to start. Try, experiment and rely on your camera to do its job.
Because there will be a wide latitude of lighting, I shoot RAW in order to help with the light levels in post.
You're usually shooting at around sunset / dusk so open up your ISO (3200+, depending on your camera).
I usually go with a wide (f2.8 - f4.0) aperture on Aperture Priority. I also use a tripod to handle the longer exposures. I've shot some at 1/4 sec. If you are at a distance and on a tripod, that may only be a real problem if people are walking around.
There are so many "depends" no one can give a great suggestion of where to start. Try, experiment and rely on your camera to do its job.
Because there will be a wide latitude of lighting, I shoot RAW in order to help with the light levels in post.
Nov 18, 2019 00:56:58 #
My best advice would be to shoot video. Captures the burner noise, the changing hues of the flames, the inflation of the balloon, etc. Just did so three weeks ago at sunrise prior to a ride over the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. It captured so much more than the stills.
Nov 18, 2019 05:15:32 #
Longshadow wrote:
Dang, from the title I thought you were going to tell me how.......
Nov 18, 2019 05:41:10 #
Jim S wrote:
What lens, what settings and any advice would be great
Thanks
Thanks
It's night so the only light is coming from the burner, car headlights, work lights etc. Use the lowest ISO that can give you exposures of at least 1/25 second, or shorter if using a longer lens. Your EV can be anywhere from 1 to 5, depending on how close you are to the light (burner) or how close people are to it. The greater the distance, the lower the EV.
This is a great guide to figure out where to start, print it on heavy paper, laminate it if you can, and keep it in your pocket or camera bag.
http://www.stacken.kth.se/~maxz/files/jiffy.pdf
Take lots of test shots, varying the shutter speed and ISO. There is no right or wrong here. Also, don't forget to use a headlamp, preferably one that has a red light option.
Nov 18, 2019 07:30:14 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Jim S wrote:
What lens, what settings and any advice would be great
Thanks
Thanks
I like to get a close up reading on just the balloon, then I zoom back for the shot. I also like to add interest to my shots so I use Nikon's double exposure system and took the moon shot before the balloon's. Then added the moon later using Nikon's in camera system.
Nov 18, 2019 07:43:58 #
Jim S wrote:
What lens, what settings and any advice would be great
Thanks
Thanks
My first thought would be to use "Spot Metering" with the camera set to 1/60th shutter speed, F5.6 and let the ISO flex as it gets darker/lighter.
Then "Chimp", adjust, rinse and repeat until you are happy with the exposure.
Or, just consult the UHH archives using your cell, grin.
(Don't go to battle stations just yet, as the last sentence is an attempt at humor for those easily offended)
Smile,
JimmyT Sends
Nov 18, 2019 08:09:50 #
Nov 18, 2019 08:40:30 #
Jim S wrote:
What lens, what settings and any advice would be great
Thanks
Thanks
You don't mention camera or lenses available.... For close up, looking up into the canopy, and a crop sensor, 18 mm press so... As they lift off, a longer, I'd use a zoom. They do not move too fast, so you do have time to change lenses, especially with a helper.
It's too dark to get shots as the unload the trailer and set up.... But I have followed them to a landing, and gotten some good shots of them landing, breaking down, folding , and packing the trailer.....
Here's a good link
https://expertphotography.com/hot-air-balloon-photos/
Nov 18, 2019 08:44:44 #
Jim S wrote:
What lens, what settings and any advice would be great
Thanks
Thanks
What camera body? What lenses do you have? If you are open to purchase, what is your budget? What time of night? What weather conditions are forecast? What kind of result are you going for? (Blow up to poster size? Post online?) Include all of one balloon or a whole field of balloons? Do you mind doing work in post?
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