Hot Air Balloon 9-24-2012
Photographing hot air balloons at twilight presents a fun exposure challenge. The window between sunset and night falls fast, so timing the burner blast is everything. I set my exposure for the darkening blue sky, waiting for the pilot to fire up the propane burner to light the envelope from the inside.
The frame centers on the illuminated balloon floating against a smooth navy dusk. The bright flame ignites the yellow, red, and olive chevron bands with a warm, fiery glow that contrasts against the cool twilight atmosphere. The tiny silhouette of the basket and pilot adds an authentic sense of scale.
