Group Shoot-Windsor Hot Air Ballon Classic
- June 16, 2012 · 4:30 AM
Tim Morgan is Hosting this event because I will be out of town.
This is always a huge hit with photographers. I mean most of us are up pre-dawn anyway (right...) For those of you that don't know, this is the Hot Air Balloon event of the year where a large group of balloons and their handlers get together to show off and strut their stuff. Dawn Patrol- filling the balloons, large fire balls, gorgeous sunrises, and serious people watching start at 5 am. I recommend being there earlier, maybe 4am to stake out some good ground. It gets crowded and sorta crazy. Bring a thermos full of something hot, maybe some food, and a blanket to mark your territory. A tripod is handy and so is something to stand on- milk crates and pelican cases are great, step stools can be a little tippy, so be careful.
I strongly suggest understanding how your camera works in the dark. It can be tricky looking for buttons and settings if you don't already know how to do it. For this event, you will need to know where to adjust your aperture, ISO and Shutter, how to play back and how to read your in camera light meter. If you don't already know how to do this, you have some homework to do over the next two months. Adding to Bobbi's advice I can say that each time I've shot this event I learn a bit more. Clearly a tripod and cable release is a big help in the dark and pre-dawn light. If your camera takes movies you might want to get a few clips during the times they flare the balloons gas jets. If you have a selection of lenses available, I'd suggest a selection ranging from ultra wide angle (like well less than 28mm) to a medium telephoto (say up to 200mm). If you have a fast lens f2.8 or faster you might want one of those too. If your are like me and have a fisheye lens handy, bring it too. Keep in mind that you'll be shooting in conditions ranging from very dark, blue hour, early morning light, to full daylight. Oh, and well there are two other concerns, 1) there will be a LOT of other photographers trying to get the best angle and shot exactly when you what to do the same, and 2) the gas jets throw out a lot of light in the darkness and bracketing for proper exposure is a big help.
Some other considerations from my past experiences there:
This event tends to be a lot of waiting with quick short periods of action. You have to get oriented, plan your shots, and be prepared to be in the right place when it happens.
This even is SO dependent on weather conditions. Fog or high winds will mean they will not fly, they will inflate but not launch. Rain too would be an issue. I was lucky last year as it was clear and calm and they flew, the two previous ones I attended, they didn't fly. So let's hope we get lucky.
If they do launch most of the show will be gone and I'd expect to be outta there fairly early like 8-9am ish.
If they do not launch the it's fun getting shots of the static balloons and we'd be apt to be staying later than 8 or 9.
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Look for me between 5-5:15am wearing a black beret right off the main announcers booth. Note: sunrise is @ 5:46am.
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Tickets for this event are $6 pre-event, and $10 at the gate. Check out the webpage for more info: http://www.schabc.org/index.html
This event is held in Keiser Park in Winsor:
Directions to Keiser Park
From the south:
Take US-101 N toward EUREKA
Take the exit to WINDSOR. Go 0.2 miles.
Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto OLD REDWOOD HWY. Go 0.2 miles.
Stay straight to go onto WINDSOR RIVER RD. Go 0.6 miles.
End at 700 Windsor River Road, Windsor, California.
From the north:
US-101 S toward SAN FRANCISCO.
Take the exit to WINDSOR. Go 0.1 miles.
Turn RIGHT onto OLD REDWOOD HWY. Go 0.1 miles.
Stay straight to go onto WINDSOR RIVER RD. Go 0.6 miles.
End at 700 Windsor River Road, Windsor, California
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Ed Lark
Lots of fun! A different kind of subject for me but a great chance for some fun snaps.
June 17, 2012
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Tim Morgan
Great luck we had two members find me and two member miss me. I actually hung out around the announcer's booth till around 5:20 but the main thing is you made it and I hope got to get some really great shots.
June 16, 2012
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Darren
My phone died while trying to post, I arrived at 5:05am to a long line of vehicles trying to park. About 15 mins later I was parked and made my way out towards the announcers booth. Tripods and cameras were everywhere. I positioned myself on the infield at about where 2nd base would have been. I was wearing a black jacket and a white baseball hat. I looked around, but but couldn't see anyone. Shortly after I posted my original short comment of arriving, the pilot came back and I had to move. At
June 16, 2012
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Pauline Darrow
I looked all over but never found anyone. Boy did it get hot. Looking forward to pics. I'm downloading mine now.
June 16, 2012
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Tim Morgan
Great! Nadev, Ed, and I met up around 5-5:15ish and had a really great time. This is about my 4th one of these and as echoed by the announcer who has been to all 22 of them, today was the absolutely best event I've ever seen. WOW! At one point, the balloons just filled the sky from horizon to horizon. Amazing. Hope everyone else made it. Be sure to post your shots here.
June 16, 2012
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A former member
Have fun guys. I cant make Saturday, but Ill be there on Sunday
June 15, 2012
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Tim Morgan
Although I don't know exactly what weather criteria the balloonists use for launch, from my perspective, Saturday looks to be spot on. So, brush up on your manual, bring your tripod, remote shutter release, flashlight, extra media card, and something warm. See you tomorrow about 5am!
June 15, 2012
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Tim Morgan
You should be (or become) familiar with your Tv and Av settings as well, if you are not. I don't remember if the D7000 does video but if it does, you might also read up on doing video with it. I'm not a big fan of video but it is fun to take a few short clips of them flaring the jets in the dark and other action things.
June 12, 2012
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Tim Morgan
That should be more than sufficient, although a small flashlight or headlamp is a very good thing to have early on. I'm a Pentax guy so I'm going to not be so great on Nikon menus. However, this is indeed the time to pull out that user manual and go over settings. Bracketing is a good approach here, typically I'd use a 3 image bracket of 0+/1ev for starters. You don't have to but as I do a lot of HDR it's sort of my initial approach.
June 12, 2012
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Darren
All I have lens-wise is an 18-200 f/3.5-5.6 kit lens and a 105mm f/2.8. I'll also have my D7000, a tripod, remote trigger and extra strong coffee. It's the settings that I could use some tips on. I take it I should set the camera up for bracket metering?
June 12, 2012
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Tim Morgan
Again, the main balloon action is at the dawn patrol which starts at 5am and is over by 8ish or so if they all launch. If not (too much wind, bad wind, too much fog and it's a lot slower deal. If you've never shot there before or have questions about what to bring, sing out here on the list and we can get some answers.
June 11, 2012
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Tim Morgan
Ok, so the weather is looking promising for a launch but...yah never know with these guys. Anyway, so here is my suggestion for this meet up (beyond what Bobbi and I've already said above). I suggest that we meet right off of the announcer's booth (you can't miss it or shut it out of your head) between 5-5:15am. I'll be waring my black beret. We can decide what to do after that. If anyone want's my cell phone number I'll provide it by an off line email. Just indicate that on this list.
June 11, 2012
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Bobbi Lance-Yuzu Studios
Thanks Tim for helping to organize a group event. My self and the group appreciate your efforts. I am sorry I won't be there. But shooting SoCal will be almost as much fun. I leave early the 9th, but I am available by email. Let me know if you need any help for research etc.
June 8, 2012
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Tim Morgan
Hey, I just looked at the even website and saw this info:
TICKETS
At the gate: $10 for 13 years and older, $6 for 6–12 year olds, and no charge for under 6.
Pre-sales: $6 per ticket.
Pre-sale tickets are now on sale at Exchange Banks, Copperfield's Books, and Dan's Barber Shop in Windsor.So if you are attending and want to save a few bucks pick up your ticket early.
June 7, 2012
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Bobbi Lance-Yuzu Studios
Sweet! Thanks Tim, we'll connect soon about how people can find you. Thanks!!!
April 17, 2012
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Tim Morgan
Here is a link to my images on flickr from last year.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bl...
April 16, 2012
10 attended
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Tim Morgan
Event Host
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A former member
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