Before the main body of balloons can ascend, the Dawn Patrol goes up to examine the wind and weather conditions to determine whether it is safe to lift off. Again, these lighted balloons rising against the dark sky are beautiful and dramatic.
November, 2013
11
Nov 13
New Mexico–Balloon Fiesta
I recently spent eight days in New Mexico, photographing in and around Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos. My first morning in Albuequerque coincided with the first Sunday of the Balloon Fiesta. I hadn’t planned to shoot hot air balloons, but this was an opportunity not to be missed. I arrived at the grounds two hours before dawn. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I brought 2 cameras and 3 lenses. The first balloons began to inflate in complete darkness. When the burners would start, the balloons would suddenly begin to glow. The bursts of color would last only for a few seconds so it was tricky to get a shot. This shot was 1/50th of a second at f/1.8 and ISO 800.