The Friday Field Trip photos have been uploaded to my site. The balloons did not actually fly last Friday, but I have plenty of photos to share with you from previous outings. I used to crew for Red Rock and Sky High Balloons, both companies owned by Mark and Patricia Stewart, of Sedona AZ. You can check out their website, and if you do book a flight, please let them know that you heard about them from me. I want to make sure I get my commission check.
The photos posted on my gallery this week are photos from another local balloon company, though I think they bought this balloon from Patricia. The secret to taking great hot air balloon photos is to stay out of the way of the crew and pilot, and be aware of what is going on around you.
The balloon itself is packed into a small trailer that is pulled behind the van (or truck, in this case). You would not believe that a balloon that is so huge would fit in a trailer that size, but it does. Once the balloon is removed, the fabric is stretched out on a tarp, to try to keep the balloon clean, and to avoid having it ripped by things sticking up out of the ground.
Then the basket is tipped over onto its side, and the balloon is hooked on by four cables with caribiners. A large fan is used to blow air into the balloon until it is inflated enough so that the pilot is able to use the propane burners to add hot air to finish the inflation. Once enough hot air is pumped in, the balloon starts to rise, and the basket then uprights itself.
The best time to get some really good shots is during the inflation. If you know the crew, or let them know what you would like to do, you can go up to the top of the balloon and get a shot from the top down to the basket area, inside the balloon. Use a wide-angle lens if you have one, and wait until the pilot goes inside the balloon. They always go inside the balloon, to check the lines that control the top and the vents on the sides of the balloon.
If you get a shot then, you will give the picture a sense of scale, and the viewer will see how huge these balloons really are. A typical commercial hot air balloon stands about 70 or 80 feet high! Hot air balloons are typically also very colorful. This is mainly because black and dark colors fade too quickly in the sun, making the balloon fabric wear out too fast. This is good for photographers, though, since we like colorful things.
A tripod may be necessary for photographing balloons as they are set up, since most fly at sunrise. But once the light is up, you can hand hold your camera and get some good shots. If you get a chance, take a ride in a hot air balloon. It is very peaceful and smooth, as they float with the wind. Winter time is a good time to fly because sunrise is later, but make sure you have warm socks. I will keep you posted on any plans for a photography workshop that includes photographing hot air balloons here in the desert.