How to shot Hot Air Balloons at night as the are being inflated (Page 2): You’ll be shooting in pre dawn hours and it is quite dark even with the lighting provided. Many balloonists...

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

You’ll be shooting in pre dawn hours and it is quite dark even with the lighting provided. Many balloonists use their car headlights for added illumination. Don’t be afraid to pump up your ISO to the point where you can hand hold as tripods just aren’t feasible. I just had my kit 18-55 and it worked beautifully. When we went, I was still shooting film. I shot so many rolls that after developing them all, my husband “made” me go digital! Have a blast! You’ll lose your mind in photographic bliss!

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Jim S wrote:

What lens, what settings and any advice would be great

Thanks

How close do they let you get? The ones I frequent let you almost touch the balloons. Because of that, if I use anything greater than my 15mm Irix f2.4, it is junk until after they get about s 1/4 mile away.

Most play "Fox and Hound". That is when one balloon fills up and takes off. Immediately after the "Fox" leaves the ground, the other "Hounds" start filling up and leave when they are ready and it's safe.

The first to land nearest wherever the "Fox" lands, (any distance but usually around 10 miles to 50 miles depending on conditions), wins braging rights and if they want, they can be the "Fox" next time.

Also, you'll see 1, 2, 4, and maybe 6 burners on different balloons. They depends on the air temp and the amount of people they carry.

If you are able to get close, prior to filling, talk to them. They have a wealth of information. Remember NOT to walk on lines or touch the ballon itself.

the f/stops here Loc: New Mexico

Jim S wrote:

What lens, what settings and any advice would be great

Thanks

the f/stops here Loc: New Mexico

Lens depends on camera to balloon distance. Here in Albuquerque, we very close to the display of too many balloons so a wide angle works well, however beware that ultra wide lenses will distort the shapes. Exposure is easy. Manual exposure mode, wide open, comfortable shutter speed (I use 1/80th) and auto ISO. You paid a lot for your camera that has a computer, so let it do it’s job. Use exposure compensation to vary your exposure.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

I've had some success with HDR, but pseudo HDR works better if there's motion, particularly if the flame is shooting up into the balloon, and it's active.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Longshadow wrote:

Dang, from the title I thought you were going to tell me how.......

But if he shoots them they will never rise.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

Apparently you can't spell very WELL either.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

cahale wrote:

Apparently you can't spell very WELL either.

If you are going to comment all spelling errors on UHH, you are going to be in for a very busy time.

Jim S Loc: Barrington RI, DC now Hilton Head,

I want to thank everyone for your help. Great comments that I am sure will help in my first Hot Air Balloon
Launch.

Thanks so much

Jim Smeltzer
Hilton Head Island, SC

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Jim S wrote:

What lens, what settings and any advice would be great

Thanks

Something you might consider is to be creative and use a fisheye.

Up close, balloons are relitively easy to use the distorted appearance of fish eye or non-rectilinear (sp?) wide angle lenses on. If you have time, try it! It just might be the look you like.

The Irix 15 that I mentioned using earlier in this post, is rectileaner so I need to switch lenses for that effect.

Jim S Loc: Barrington RI, DC now Hilton Head,

GENorkus wrote:

Something you might consider is to be creative and use a fisheye.

Up close, balloons are relitively easy to use the distorted appearance of fish eye or non-rectilinear (sp?) wide angle lenses on. If you have time, try it! It just might be the look you like.

The Irix 15 that I mentioned using earlier in this post, is rectileaner so I need to switch lenses for that effect.

I have a Nikon 14 ~ 24 that will work , right

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

Jim S wrote:

What lens, what settings and any advice would be great

Thanks

(Download)

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

GENorkus wrote:

Something you might consider is to be creative and use a fisheye.

Up close, balloons are relitively easy to use the distorted appearance of fish eye or non-rectilinear (sp?) wide angle lenses on. If you have time, try it! It just might be the look you like.

The Irix 15 that I mentioned using earlier in this post, is rectileaner so I need to switch lenses for that effect.

Can you post any examples you have shot of balloons using a fisheye?

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Jim S wrote:

I have a Nikon 14 ~ 24 that will work , right

Yes. You'll love it!

Not being a Nikon guy, (Pentax for me!), that will be very close.

If you use a crop camera, you will need to stay back a few feet further than what a full frame will do but it will work fine just the same.

I found a few day/evening shots of mine. Using this cellphone I'm not able to copy and paste the link. When I get home, I can get them for you.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Here you go!

This is one with the "Fox" in the distance!

Just click the left or right arrow to see the others from this years event.

Some I used a 70-200mm. Some I think was with the Fisheye. (not sure)

https://www.facebook.com/142634195803011/photos/a.2504868726246201/2504871029579304/?type=3&theater