Advice

[bitemarx]

I recently bought a CANON EOS500D and Im planning to use it when Im down in Bristol next weekend for the balloon fiesta.
Any advice, pointers regarding shooting balloons, both in the sky and on the ground? Im hoping to have access to a good zoom lens, though I dont know the specs, yet!

Any thoughts would be highly appreciated since Im very new to digital photography and have noticed that its slightly different to working with film.

Thanks
M

 

[cowasaki]

Exposure can be a problem when photographing things in the sky as the sky itself is much brighter than the object so spot metering might be useful. I would suggest a tripod might also be useful as you will no doubt be using the longer end of the zoom.

 

[magicaxeman]

I agree with darren's comments above, try both spot and centre weighted metering.

If depth of field is a problem, ie parts of the image are out of focus when you want them in focus try the A-dep mode, but you will want the camera on a tripod for that if its low light.

Also evening shots are nice for balloons as you can get a lovely light from the burners on them.

 

[bitemarx]

Thanks a lot for that!
I will keep that in mind...I hadn't thought of the tripod, to be honest!

Cheers!

 

[Bristolian]

As a veteran BBF shooter - who'll be there next Saturday afternoon/evening/night too - I would suggest the tripod will be superfluous to requirements, except for the fireworks on Saturday night.

To be honest, there are so many people there, all crowding to get to the front of the crowd your tripod is going to take a hammering. Kids don't even look where they're going and the adults (well a good percntage of them anyway) don't care if they knock you out of the way.

The Red Arrows are booked to do a display on Sunday - not sure what time though. I'll probably park up on Durdham Downs to see thatrather than go into the Fiesta grounds.

If you're going to be there on the Saturday we could meet up for a chat and exchange insults seeing as you're an artilleryman