Balloon Fiesta® Photography Tips: Have Fun and Be Unique Here are some tips for getting amazing images of this spectacular event! Dawn Patrol Now That You See What A Pilot Sees Rising into the dark skies each morning is the Dawn Going on a balloon ride? Get your camera in either Patrol. At about 6:00 am every day, Dawn Patrol pilots Auto or P (Program) Mode so you can focus on your launch into the sky with only their burners to light the aerial experience instead of the camera settings. way. Pro Tips: Now would be a great time to bring a point- Pro Tip: Early in the morning, we suggest using a tripod and-shoot. Neck straps and wrist straps are your best and remote. If you use your tripod and have an IS lens, friend. With your camera properly secured to your person, make sure you turn off the IS function while you shoot. you can feel more confi dent shooting extreme angles. Since the balloons lift off while it’s still dark outside, a wide-angle lens is ideal. Balloon Glow® This sets the mood for a magical evening. Don’t miss Mass Ascension the random twinkling lights of balloons just before the Imagine seeing nothing but 600 brightly colored orbs order for an ”All Glow”, when a warm light illuminates the and shape balloons where ever you look. Pilots will fi re entire fi eld. up their burners, shooting fl ames into the balloons to Pro Tips: Adjust your angle. Set-up your gear with the infl ate them. main fi eld in front of you and the mountainside behind Pro Tips: Use a wide-angle lens to get photos of the you, for the best shots. Use a tripod and a wireless remote ground activity. Use a telephoto-zoom lens to get detail or cable release to reduce motion blur. shots or portraits of reactions in the crowd. Shooting with the sun rising behind the balloons will provide some Fireworks beautiful silhouettes and add ambiance to the scene. Getting your camera dialed-in to the correct settings can make or break a fantastic light display. Special Shape Balloons Pro Tips: Fireworks need long exposure times, so use The Special Shape Rodeo™ and Special Shape a tripod for this event. A remote or cable release prevents Glowdeo™ are big hits with kids of all ages! accidental camera shake to you get clear, sharp images. Pro Tips: Frame other balloons with the ones in the Use a longer shutter speed to increase the trails of the foreground. Use special shape balloons as fun backdrops fi reworks. for family photos and selfi es. Be Creative Balloons In Flight Whether you’re going for a day or the entire Balloon By this point in the morning, the horizon will be awash Fiesta, there are plenty of chances to grab amazing with vibrant colors as balloons infl ate and take to the shots. While we’ve suggested some camera settings skies to fl y across the valley. here, the ultimate goal is for you to have fun! Find your Pro Tips: Once the sun is on the rise, try to shoot with own style and see what you like best. the sun to your side or back. At this position you can use it to better show the curve of the balloons and illuminate their colors. OFFICIAL PROGRAM 251