To begin the hot air balloon segment I'm going to divide it into three sub catehories; Hot Air Balloons, Racing Balloons and Hydrogen Balloons. To begin with, the history of hot air balloons dates back to the 18th century. The first successful human-carrying flight technology was the hot air balloon. The first untethered manned balloon flight in the world was performed in Paris, France on November 21, 1783. Balloons used for passenger flights today were developed in the United States during the 1960s.
My first and only balloon ride occured the year I turned 50. My mom took us to Calistoga, CA and we watched them unpack and blow up the balloon, we then climbed in a rode with a couple of other folks, landed in a field and got out. It was exhilarating. Who knew balloon pilots are required to have a pilot's license to fly? I was struck by the shear size of the envelope. That's the part that holds the air. It was this event that I learned how important it is to have a very light breeze, or none at all. And the air cannot be too warm or it will be more difficult to add hot enough air to get lift. This is a serious subculture with serious consequences if things go wrong.
Two years later, 2016, I was on an Arizona Highways Photo workshop in Sedona and got these unremarkable pics of some balloons floating by in the early morning. We were shooting scenics from Airport Mesa. Still, kinda cool to see.
I then became more intentful in my pursuit of seeing balloons up close and personal. The following year, 2017, found me at the Phoenix Balloon Classic. It was at this event that I saw my first "glow". The glow is pretty cool. Watching the fire light up beneath the envelope and it glowing in all it's glory of color and design.
The breeze made this a challenging project. These things can get away from you in a flash, or a gust if you will.
I spent some time with this balloon in watching it fill up from beginning to end. I believe I even have some time-lapse video of this event. While that was happening on the tripod I was walking around getting stills.
And then it happened. I lucked out with my 2019 photo workshop assignments and got to attend the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in...Albuquerque. It. Was. Amazing.
The photographer that lead our workshop was a balloon pilot so he knew the ins and outs of the festival. We were allowed to walk among the balloons, ask questions and be right there when the mass ascension took place. It was spectacular.
Each morning we would arrive early, in the cold, for the predawn lift off. There were not a lot of balloons that chose to participate but enough to make it a pretty cool experience. As the sun rose, the bright colors of the pre-dawn flight became muted and dull. Even the early mass ascension colors were muted.
500 balloons cannot launch at once so they go in waves. By the later waves the colors in the balloons were magnificent!
Some balloons flew so low and close it felt as though you could touch them. There was also a foggy morning.
Each day they had different themes. These are mass ascension shots but one day they launched only uniquely shaped balloons.
If you ever get a chance to go, go. The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is in early-mid October.
This was taken early in the morning across Lake Pleasant in Phoenix. I like seeing the glow against the dark mountains.
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Loved these images!! Thanks for sharing.
Had always hoped that AHPS would run another workshop to the Albuquerque balloon fest…..
Love seeing these! We had the opportunity to live in Rio Rancho, New Mexico in 2022 for 6 months. It borders NW ABQ. We saw balloons nearly every morning for weeks before the festival from our rental house, flying past. A bunch landed at a school playground 2 blocks away. When it came time to go to the festival, the crowds were too much for me to navigate alone. A photo tour would have been fantastic!
Awesome. I had the great fortune to crew on a hot air balloon (private) for about 5 years. It never got old, always an adventure!