Hot air balloon shots

We are going to a hot air balloon fair this weekend. I would like some tips on shoot balloons. There is also a glow air balloons at night. How do you shoot these balloons?
Thanks

Hi Mike: I'm from Albuquerque where we have the International balloon fiesta each year. I don't know how many balloons you'll have the opportunity to photograph. The fiesta has about 700. I try to look for interesting shapes and colors contrasting from different balloons while they are still on the ground. Shooting from every angle possible. If you have the chance to shoot them while they are cold inflating, it is interesting to shoot from the mouth of the balloon. If the light is right, get someone, multiple people, to stand where their shadows will be showing through the balloon fabric (hope that makes sense). The balloon glows at night are also fun. Take a tripod and again look for color combinations. The exposures are a little tricky as it depends on how much flame they throw up into the balloon for the glow. With a couple of exposures, you should be able to get it right. I would avoid shooting straight up the balloons for the glow as the flame will overpower everything else. I find balloons in flight pretty mundane unless you've got a really compelling scene. I don't know what your location will be so you can figure out if you want those shots or not. Hope that helps some.

Thanks.

Mike,
If you get the chance, I would look for a pond or small lake at the launch site and work a reflection shot as well as the recommendations Keith mentioned above. I won a ride once with such a shot here in Utah.
Good shooting!
Neil

If you've got the time and mobility to shoot from different vantages, bring a long lens and back way off to do some of your shooting, especially with any elevation offered in the landscape. Most photogs like to get close and overwhelm the scene with flames and fabric, but I find views shot from a distance much more compelling. It would really fill out your treatment to have a selection of both.

Thanks.

Thanks.