I was invited to take some shots from a balloon, most of the traject will be with above some water lines and fileds covered with flowers. I did never take shots from the air, so if you can help me on this chapter and if you already shot from a balloon I would love to hear from you.
If you have a choice, or can borrow them, use an IS or VR lens. A balloon isn't the most stable platform to shoot from. Zoom lenses will be your friend up there as you won't be able to reposition yourself very far (there are still a few prime advocates out there). Keep in mind that there really isn't all that much space up there as well so you'll need to be aware of the other passengers/operators (whacking the pilot in the face with a 70-200 f2.8 won't go far for a second invitation don't ask).
Take the minimal amount of equipment - ideally one camera/lens/flash. I'd think something like the Canon 25-105, but I've never shot from the air with that lens. The flash won't be used for shooting the landscape but can be used to shoot in-basket for people and equipment.
Start shooting before they start setting up and don't let up until the balloon is back into the chase vehicle. You'll get some different shots.
Since it is an invitation, return the favor with some prints. It may not help you in particular in the future but it will help the next person down the road.
The 24-105mm range will be great on a full-frame camera. Try to minimize or avoid changing lenses because it's a real pain to do in a balloon. As Dan mentioned, be sure to return the favor with some prints.
Go for shutter speed. DOF generally doesn't matter. With a fast enough shutter speed you don't need VR either. I like to use something like a Tokina 11-16mm for shots inside the basket, and something like a 28-105mm for shots outside it. Put your camera on a neckstrap to keep from accidentally dropping it. A polarizer can be useful to cut glare, especially from water surfaces. Put your camera into a securely zipped and well padded bag when the balloon is getting ready to land. Don't have it loose.
Wear a hat. Last time I was up it was in a large balloon with an 8-person basket and the burner was creating so much heat it felt like the top of my head was going to melt. In fact, a woman in the balloon ended up fainting, ending the ride. The pilot just nonchalantly stated that that is why he always wore a hat. I told him he should have mentioned that to us before we left the ground.
Discussion
6 repliesI was invited to take some shots from a balloon, most of the traject will be with above some water lines and fileds covered with flowers. I did never take shots from the air, so if you can help me on this chapter and if you already shot from a balloon I would love to hear from you.
Thank you
Take the minimal amount of equipment - ideally one camera/lens/flash. I'd think something like the Canon 25-105, but I've never shot from the air with that lens. The flash won't be used for shooting the landscape but can be used to shoot in-basket for people and equipment.
Start shooting before they start setting up and don't let up until the balloon is back into the chase vehicle. You'll get some different shots.
Since it is an invitation, return the favor with some prints. It may not help you in particular in the future but it will help the next person down the road.
http://picasaweb.google.com/martines34/NewAlbum8207822AMBalloons#
All taken with a Tamron 28 - 30 mm VR.
Kent in SD