Last weekend I went up to Steamboat to photograph the hot air balloon rodeo. This was the first time I have attended any balloon festival, and I highly recommend it.
Several of us set up across the pond from the takeoff site to shoot reflections of the oncoming balloons. Unfortunately shortly after taking this photo, one of my first images, a lady came running around the pond arms flailing in the air and screaming something inaudible. Once she got close enough for us to hear, we realized that we were not allowed to shoot from across the pond due to the dangerous oncoming balloon traffic. We were told to move away and further up the pond, to a less photogenic location. It didn't realize until later the speed of the oncoming balloons - it took each balloon approximately 3 to 5 minutes from takeoff to reach our shore about 150 yards away. That's a whopping speed of 1 to 2 mph...someone could have gotten hurt!
The pilots received points for various maneuvers, including a touch-and-go in the pond without touching the shoreline. One pilot was determined to do this and was descending rather rapidly. It looked to us that he wasn't going to make it...
At one point three balloons got fairly close to each other. I am not sure if this is dangerous, but it makes for good pictures. ...I clearly heard some yelling from one of the baskets.
Posted by Jack Garrett on July 14, 2010 at 3:52 PM
Great series Rene...love the colors! The first one is particularly nice with the reflections.
Very nice and colorful images Rene! I also like the first one best with the reflection. If you liked the blloon festival, Chatfield holds one annually in August.
Is this you in this photo?
http://www.ColorBandit.com/BalloonEvents/2010Steamboat/slides/SSBR10-066.html
My full gallery from Steamboat is here:
http://www.ColorBandit.com/BalloonEvents/2010Steamboat/
The reason they chased you off is because the FAA requires a 75' altitude buffer between a hot air balloon in flight and ground-based spectators. That's why they fenced off the south shore line past the launch field. The event is under constant FAA scrutiny - Don't take it personally.
Balloons bumping into each other from the side is generally not dangerous as long as the pilots and passengers see it coming. The collision danger for hot air balloons is if they hit top to bottom. There are several events across the southwest where balloons 'collide' with some of our favorite rock formations. Members of this forum are well-aware of Page AZ. They have a great event there every year in November.
I have photos balloons flying in the rocks near Gallup NM from last December here:
http://www.ColorBandit.com/BalloonEvents/Gallup2009/
Unfortunately, the Rocky Mtn Balloon Festival held at Chatfield Res in late August is no more. The next two Colorado events will be the weekend of 7/24-25 in Buena Vista and also just west of Wilkerson Pass in south Park County. The two Colorado balloon clubs hold monthly flights - check out their websites at www.FlyBSOPP.com and www.ColoradoBalloonClub.net. Pilots are very generous about giving rides to photographers who also help set up and take down the balloons, so take advantage of the opportunity to get to know your friendly neighborhood balloon pilot.
Discussion
13 repliesSeveral of us set up across the pond from the takeoff site to shoot reflections of the oncoming balloons. Unfortunately shortly after taking this photo, one of my first images, a lady came running around the pond arms flailing in the air and screaming something inaudible. Once she got close enough for us to hear, we realized that we were not allowed to shoot from across the pond due to the dangerous oncoming balloon traffic. We were told to move away and further up the pond, to a less photogenic location. It didn't realize until later the speed of the oncoming balloons - it took each balloon approximately 3 to 5 minutes from takeoff to reach our shore about 150 yards away. That's a whopping speed of 1 to 2 mph...someone could have gotten hurt!
If you have been bitten by the balloon bug (as I have), don't forget the Balloon Classic in Colorado Springs over Labor Day weekend.
That reflection is pretty awesome!
Bill Brennan
Is this you in this photo?
http://www.ColorBandit.com/BalloonEvents/2010Steamboat/slides/SSBR10-066.html
My full gallery from Steamboat is here:
http://www.ColorBandit.com/BalloonEvents/2010Steamboat/
The reason they chased you off is because the FAA requires a 75' altitude buffer between a hot air balloon in flight and ground-based spectators. That's why they fenced off the south shore line past the launch field. The event is under constant FAA scrutiny - Don't take it personally.
Balloons bumping into each other from the side is generally not dangerous as long as the pilots and passengers see it coming. The collision danger for hot air balloons is if they hit top to bottom. There are several events across the southwest where balloons 'collide' with some of our favorite rock formations. Members of this forum are well-aware of Page AZ. They have a great event there every year in November.
I have photos balloons flying in the rocks near Gallup NM from last December here:
http://www.ColorBandit.com/BalloonEvents/Gallup2009/
Unfortunately, the Rocky Mtn Balloon Festival held at Chatfield Res in late August is no more. The next two Colorado events will be the weekend of 7/24-25 in Buena Vista and also just west of Wilkerson Pass in south Park County. The two Colorado balloon clubs hold monthly flights - check out their websites at www.FlyBSOPP.com and www.ColoradoBalloonClub.net. Pilots are very generous about giving rides to photographers who also help set up and take down the balloons, so take advantage of the opportunity to get to know your friendly neighborhood balloon pilot.
Hope you had a great time in Steamboat!
Paul
www.HotAirPhotos.com