Hot Air Balloon Rally: I'm going to a winter balloon rally, my first time, and would like any tips regarding shooting hot air balloons. I'm using a Nikon D7000 with the kit lens (18 -...

glasskey Loc: Rockwood, Ontario, Canada

I'm going to a winter balloon rally, my first time, and would like any tips regarding shooting hot air balloons. I'm using a Nikon D7000 with the kit lens (18 - 105). Would love to see any picture posts of this kind of event. Thanks.

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

There is a hot balloon event this weekend in Hudson, WI called the Hudson Hot Air Affair which is the big hot air balloon event of the area. It would make a great photo op for somebody as I won't be there this time.

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

glasskey wrote:

I'm going to a winter balloon rally, my first time, and would like any tips regarding shooting hot air balloons. I'm using a Nikon D7000 with the kit lens (18 - 105). Would love to see any picture posts of this kind of event. Thanks.

Once those go up you may want to have a more powerful zoom.

glasskey Loc: Rockwood, Ontario, Canada

That's the one. If I get any good shots I'll post them.

photo guy wrote:

There is a hot balloon event this weekend in Hudson, WI called the Hudson Hot Air Affair which is the big hot air balloon event of the area. It would make a great photo op for somebody as I won't be there this time.

glasskey Loc: Rockwood, Ontario, Canada

Not in the budget. I'll stick close to the ground. Thanks.

ring wrote:

glasskey wrote:

I'm going to a winter balloon rally, my first time, and would like any tips regarding shooting hot air balloons. I'm using a Nikon D7000 with the kit lens (18 - 105). Would love to see any picture posts of this kind of event. Thanks.

Once those go up you may want to have a more powerful zoom.

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

glasskey wrote:

Not in the budget. I'll stick close to the ground. Thanks.

ring wrote:

glasskey wrote:

I'm going to a winter balloon rally, my first time, and would like any tips regarding shooting hot air balloons. I'm using a Nikon D7000 with the kit lens (18 - 105). Would love to see any picture posts of this kind of event. Thanks.

Once those go up you may want to have a more powerful zoom.

Enjoy it, I haven't been able to get there when one was going on so I would love to see what photos you do get. Thanks

EricLPT Loc: Jonesborough TN

Check out this thread; there are others, just use the 'search' function.

Eric

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-7070-1.html

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Take plenty of images to document what is involved in launching one. May have to run a little to try & catch everything. I've seen balloons can get staggered in setting up. Many opportunities for setups and launches.
Get shots just taking off....just above everyones head. then, higher up.
If you ask, you can probably get right up to the basket and get a shot looking up in the balloon as the blaster are fired!! Ok, burners!!
Don't forget the crowd, the overall ground activities.
Just become crazy person, shooting here there and everywhere!
Don't worry about zooming in trying the produce the perfect shot. You can zoom in at home,..Ok, crop.
I'm getting balloon fever, just typing!!!!
Whew!!!
Pat

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

We have one here every year. You want to get there early so you can shoot them getting the balloons full. The burners look very interesting in the morning light. If you don't have a long lens you will want to be close to start. And take note of which way the wind is blowing, you will want to be down wind. When they start going up, it goes fast so be ready to take a lot of shots. You can get pretty good pictures even if they are far off by doing a little croping.
Erv

glasskey wrote:

I'm going to a winter balloon rally, my first time, and would like any tips regarding shooting hot air balloons. I'm using a Nikon D7000 with the kit lens (18 - 105). Would love to see any picture posts of this kind of event. Thanks.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

I've posted some images in the past. Search!

rballard29 Loc: Albuquerque, NM

We have the International Balloon Fiesta here in Albquerque every October. Around 600 hot air balloons do a mass ascension four times during the 9 day event. For a suggesstion, if you can get close to the balloons, take a photo while they are cold inflating. That is when the basket and balloon are laying on the ground and they are using large fans to blow cold air into the balloon to get it inflated. Take the photo from an angle to include the bottom of the basket and looking into the inflated balloon. While the balloon is still in the horizonal position, the pilot will walk inside the balloon envelope to check the velcro fasteners and inspect the fabric. This gives a great reference for the size of the hot air balloon. Check out this link to see photos from the Albq Balloon Fiesta. https://www.google.com/search?q=albuquerque+balloon+festival&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=M30pT7vZJ6TSiALyktTHCg&sqi=2&ved=0CGoQsAQ&biw=1017&bih=464

glasskey Loc: Rockwood, Ontario, Canada

Thanks Eric. This has really whetted my appetite for hot air balloon photography. Some good tips buried in these threads too.

EricLPT wrote:

Check out this thread; there are others, just use the 'search' function.

Eric

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-7070-1.html

glasskey Loc: Rockwood, Ontario, Canada

Great advise. Thanks Jay.

Jay Pat wrote:

Take plenty of images to document what is involved... (show quote)

EricLPT Loc: Jonesborough TN

glasskey wrote:

Thanks Eric. This has really whetted my appetite for hot air balloon photography. Some good tips buried in these threads too.

EricLPT wrote:

Check out this thread; there are others, just use the 'search' function.

Eric

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-7070-1.html

Happy to be of assistance.

Eric

glasskey Loc: Rockwood, Ontario, Canada

Didn't realize they rise so fast. Thanks for the tips.

Erv wrote:

We have one here every year. You want to get there... (show quote)