Hot Air Balloon
Monday, August 22, 2011 at 9:37AM 
I love getting out and shooting new things. I've always liked Hot Air Balloons, but never really saw any up close before. A while back I had the chance to photograph a local balloon festival. It was a great experience and I came away with a lot of good images.
As I watched the balloons floating off into the sky, I had a vision of a photograph that I really wanted. I wanted the balloon silhouetted against the sun. As it turns out it was harder to get than I thought. In order to get the shot I wanted I had to have a clean background. Idealing I wanted it to just be sky. Since I was on the ground, my vantage point was somewhat limited. I tracked 5 or 6 balloons across the skyline, but none of them where crossing the sun in the right way. Finally after being patient and thinking I just wasn't going to get the shot, this last balloon sailed every so nicely across the sun and created the shot I was after. I was ready, in the right place, I knew my camera settings and click! Two or three seconds later the balloon had moved on and the shot was gone. Is it the best shot of the day? I don't really know. You can judge that for yourself. It was however a shot I felt like told the story of the day and it was a shot I really had to work to get.
You can see more of my hot air balloon photos on my flickr stream
Hot Air Balloon in Events
Reader Comments (1)
We have hot air balloon festivals in South Africa as well, be sure to come for a visit!