Hot Air Balloon Photography

karlkarlkarl

karlkarlkarl

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Hi All,
I'm going up in a hot air balloon over York in a couple of weeks and was wondering if anyone has any hints and tips about photography from a balloon.
Obviously, I need to make sure camera is well attached but anything else I need to consider?
Thanks, Karl
 
I would think space, how much room will there be to move around as to if you can take a large lens or not as lets face it you need to think about the other people on the flight, not that I've been on one but I have seen how cramped the baskets can be
 
Lucky you should be quite an experience, I would take a wide angle/fish-eye and a mid telephoto zoom.
 
This text is from HERE.

Can I take a camera?
Yes, there is no problem in taking either a still or video camera with you during the flight. A hot air balloon makes a perfect camera platform and there is always plenty to photograph prior to, during and after to the flight. We do recommend, however, that you have a suitable soft case with you in which to stow the camera during the landing phase of the flight.
 
Going up in a hot air balloon with my daughter in May over Rutland, can't decide whether I will bother with a camera or just enjoy the views.
 
I've been up in a balloon twice (both times in Australia) and know that they can be a tight squeeze. Good call about a soft case, as I would imagine there will not be space for a backpack. I am considering taking two lenses. My tamron 18-270 and Tamron 11-18.
 
If you'll be wanting A4 and larger prints, a DSLR with the 18-270 would be the tool but if the photos will be for web use and/or computer viewing, a reasonable bridge or compact (with decent zoom) would probably be smaller and deliver plenty of quality.
 
Landings are usually fine but can be a bit of a shock to the system. Don't take anything up with you that's not well insured or a bit of kit that you're prepared to get damaged.
 
Nod said:
If you'll be wanting A4 and larger prints, a DSLR with the 18-270 would be the tool but if the photos will be for web use and/or computer viewing, a reasonable bridge or compact (with decent zoom) would probably be smaller and deliver plenty of quality.
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I will be taking my Nikon D5100 up with me :)
 
I went in one a couple of years ago and it is cramped. Get your spot and stay there.

I took just my 55-250 for long shots and the 18-55 for close ups of the burner and they were fine. Just be careful changing lenses.

Bloke in the next compartment had a 7d that his wife used to take a photo of him posing with the just inflated balloon. Once he got in she handed the camera to him and it never saw daylight again.
 
dual harness and two bodies. Simple, easy and quick - at least in theory. Long and medium range zooms should do the job, but good early morning / late evening light is key
 
Another tip is to listen to what the pilot tells you and abide by it.

That gentleman with the 7d ignored the landing advice to sit down in the basket and brace your feet against the basket to minimise being thrown about. And hold on tight to your gear too.

As you can imagine he felt a bit of an idiot afterwards. The pilot had no interest in him when he had a moan about it.
 
Sounds silly but take a hat with you, as the heat from the burner can get a bit toasty after awhile depending where in the basket you are stood.
when i went i took a 50D and a 70-300mm lens and had a great time.
 
daugirdas said:
dual harness and two bodies. Simple, easy and quick - at least in theory. Long and medium range zooms should do the job, but good early morning / late evening light is key
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You won't have space for that
 
Having read the replies I will definitely leave the camera at home and just enjoy the views
 
daugirdas said:
Then what is the point wasting the money for a very uncomfortable hour in a dangerous situation?
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Dangerous? Uncomfortable?, No point? Really??:confused: Not everything is about bringing your long lens and maybe you could just enjoy the moment
 
Thanks for the replies.
I do have two camera bodies but think I will just be taking one as I have been up in hot air balloons before and know that space is limited.
I'm leaning towards, just taking my 18-270mm and leave that on the camera rather than going through the hassle of changing lenses in cramped conditions.
Going on 8th May, will let you know how it goes.
 
You can't guarantee going over York.

When I went up I wanted to go over Kidderminster towards the forest but ended up going in completely the other direction because that's the way the wind was blowing. Still brilliant though especially when the pilot didn't use the burners and told everyone to be silent for a minute. No cameras. No speaking. No nothing. Totally awesome noise. The noise of just the sheep in the fields, the birds singing and the M5 humming in the distance.
 
boyfalldown said:
Dangerous? Uncomfortable?, No point? Really??:confused: Not everything is about bringing your long lens and maybe you could just enjoy the moment
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If there is no space for one lens, then that tells me there is probably very little for anything else including yourself. And that is most certainly very uncomfortable. I don't think I need any proof that an uncontrollable wooden basket up in the air supported a a few ropes is a pretty dangerous proposition. Probably safer and more pleasant to use a drone...
 
daugirdas said:
If there is no space for one lens, then that tells me there is probably very little for anything else including yourself. And that is most certainly very uncomfortable. I don't think I need any proof that an uncontrollable wooden basket up in the air supported a a few ropes is a pretty dangerous proposition. Probably safer and more pleasant to use a drone...
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What are you on about? earlier on in the thread you were talking about a two camera set up! it was pointed out to you that you'd not have room for that as there would be other paying customers in the basket (you could charter it to yourself and pilot if you wanted) but I think you've totally missed the point that this is a pleasure flight not a professional talking about getting photos for a commission etc...frankly no professional would use a hot air balloon for a commission or anything they are to be paid for unless of course it's to show people enjoying a balloon flight, and there is a great reason for that, you've no control over a balloon, if you want to get airborn for a professional shoot, you need to charter a helicopter :) that or use the drone you mentioned though I seem to remember licences come into play when using one professionally and to get professionally results from a drone your talking thousands if not £10,000 for the gear etc, your going to need a lot of airborn work to justify that over a few hundred for a heli charter
 
MWHCVT said:
What are you on about? earlier on in the thread you were talking about a two camera set up! it was pointed out to you that you'd not have room for that as there would be other paying customers in the basket (you could charter it to yourself and pilot if you wanted) but I think you've totally missed the point that this is a pleasure flight not a professional talking about getting photos for a commission etc...frankly no professional would use a hot air balloon for a commission or anything they are to be paid for unless of course it's to show people enjoying a balloon flight, and there is a great reason for that, you've no control over a balloon, if you want to get airborn for a professional shoot, you need to charter a helicopter :) that or use the drone you mentioned though I seem to remember licences come into play when using one professionally and to get professionally results from a drone your talking thousands if not £10,000 for the gear etc, your going to need a lot of airborn work to justify that over a few hundred for a heli charter
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Sorry but 'no space' and 'pleasure' cannot exist in one sentence. It doesn't even matter if it is related to photography or not. Unless London underground in the morning is also pleasure as it is priced accordingly :lol:
 
daugirdas said:
Sorry but 'no space' and 'pleasure' cannot exist in one sentence. It doesn't even matter if it is related to photography or not. Unless London underground in the morning is also pleasure as it is priced accordingly :LOL:
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But you've made that up all on your own, it's simply been suggested to you that there would not be room to go for a two camera set up with a long lens and a wide angle etc...this is because god forbid you actually have to consider those around you also trying to enjoy the experience...you've some how turned this into a being packed in like sardines, this is not the case...but space is at a premium...lets look at it this way, do you really think that if Dataco didn't ban photography at football games you'd be free to take a 1DX and 600mm into the stand with you? No of course you wouldn't and not to protect the pro shooters and there sales, it's because space is limited and you'd be annoying those directly around you...hell I take my photography seriously be I'd be seriously peeved if I when up in a balloon ride and there was someone up there with a twin camera set up, as it would mean more likely I'm going to get hit by a camera on landing not to mention the spare camera getting in the way when not is use
 
daugirdas said:
Sorry but 'no space' and 'pleasure' cannot exist in one sentence. It doesn't even matter if it is related to photography or not. Unless London underground in the morning is also pleasure as it is priced accordingly :LOL:
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what Matt said really. If you wouldn't chose to go tuts fine. But try enjoying something for the sake of enjoyment.
 
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