Hot Air Balloons - How best to Photograph

[HWF]

I'll be going to a hot-air balloon event next week-end. Does anyone have suggestions as to how best to get some great shots? I'll be on the ground, not in the air. I'll have a Nikon D40X with the kit 18-55 as well as the Nikon 70-300 VR lenses. Thanks much.

[lowbone]

There are some good shots to be had of the crews filling the balloons on the ground and also struggling with the guy lines moments before the ballons go up. You can also get some closeup shots of the balloons before they reach a very high altitude. If there isn't much wind there is a good chance that several balloons will be going up at once and wide angle shots including several of these ballons can be interesting. Make sure you meter off the balloons and not off the sky. My town has a balloon festival every Winter and they include a parade at night where all of the balloon gondolas come down the street with their burners on and also another night event where several balloons are inflated and have an interesting translucent glow. Check out the whole program so you will be in the right place at the right time. Plan your shots so that you won't be caught juggling lenses. Most balloon festivals let you get very close to the action. Good luck. If there is too much wind the whole event will be cancelled.

[Jeff Perry]

HWF, I would recommend you invest in a circular polarizing filter for at least the 18-55. Assuming you get nice weather, you will have bright blue skies and vibrantly colored balloons that will really benefit for a polarizer's treatment. If you end up shooting very early morning or late evening, you don't need the polarizer.

Don't be afraid to get nice closeups. Everyone thinks first about getting the wide shots but closeups of the balloon's structures can be very interesting, especially for multi-image collages put together afterwards.

Enjoy the sights.

Jeff