I’ve been going to the Balloons Over Bend festival every year since it started. I always find it fascinating.
There is quite a lot of work involved in getting the balloons off the ground. I was there early this morning . . . before they even started setting up. It’s chilly here on the high desert early in the morning, and the coffee cart was doing a booming business.
It’s always fun to watch them set up . . . test the burners, fill the balloons with air first.
Tomorrow I will cover the launch.
Maralee
Through My Lens 
I remember my first balloon launch. These pictures are a great reminder. Looking forward to seeing more.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Someday I will go up in one and take photos from a different perspective.
Do you get permission to post pictures of random folks. I often wonder what liberty there is in photographing people.
It depends on the situation. If I’m taking photos of children, I will always get their parent’s permission and give them a card and offer to give them copies if they want. In these photos, I asked the two men who were testing the burners but I didn’t ask all the people in line at Bellatazza. I always keep some cards with me so that if I find a subject I want to photograph I can give them one and they won’t think I’m some kind of pervert.
So if they cared they would contact you. Someone blogged about getting in trouble with posting a picture with someone in it who recognized himslef and hassled her. I just wonder where the lines are drawn. It is unrealistic, for example, to get permission of everyone in a beach scene or beach scene, etc.
I’ve never had a problem with anyone getting upset for publishing something. Then, again, I don’t have that many local people who follow my blog so most people would never see it. If you can get permission, it’s always best but it is unrealistic to get everyone’s consent if you’re in a place with a lot of people. If they are unrecognizable, no problem.
Maralee, amazing photos … especially the one with the burner test and that last one … I have always wanted to a ride … looks so peaceful and relaxing.
Thanks, Viveka. I’ve always wanted to go up in a balloon. Maybe some day I will.
I’m so scared of high when I know I have a chance to surviving if something happens … Maybe some day here too. *smile
I like when there is a collection of balloons in the sky. They are so colorful.
I know. They are beautiful to watch.
This is an awesome set of pictures! Lovely colour and atmosphere! Looking forward to seeing the rest.
Thank you so much, Reinhardt.
Roll on the launch.
I may have overdone the number of photos I took at the launch. 🙂
Hot air balloons are definitely one of my favorite events to photography…so much vibrant colors.
I look forward to it every year. I never get tired of watching them.