This balloon is based out of Tallahassee, FL and was one of about 50 at this year's Gulf Coast Hot Air Ballon Festival in Foley, AL.
Foley, for those of you who don't know, is not exactly a hotbed for hot air balloon activity. But for the last 7 years they have been putting on this festival and this year we took the time to go. It really is a god time, but photographically, it's tough.
First the balloons only fly right around sunup and right at sundown and on into dusk. Seems perfect, right? Not quite.
Hot air balloons are incredibly susceptible to weather. If the wind is above about 5-10mph they can't fly very well, which is why they fly primarily at dawn and dusk. But with that narrow of a window they frequently can't get off the ground until the sun is well above the horizon. This, to a photographer, can be a killer.
So, you improvise. You work angles and you find where the light is good. You wait for a cloud to diffuse the light so it isn't as harsh. You also get up at 4AM and stay until 9 at night so you can be there for the light.
I don't want to sound like I'm complaining, because I'm not. This kind of thing is bucket list stuff and there is nothing that can replace seeing hot air balloons like this one drifting over the trees just after dawn.
Throw a camera in the mix and you might just get something to take home with you!
This post is wonderful and that shot is gorgeous. You really are such a great photographer you know. I would love to see this sight at dawn. Maybe I'll paint it in to one of my Sunday sunrises.;-) Well done, my friend..
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