Shooting hot air balloons from the ground is one thing. But photographing from the balloon is a different story entirely.
It’s quieter up there. More surreal. The noise of the crowd falls away, and the world flattens beneath you in the most humbling way. You’re not chasing the balloon with your lens anymore. You’re in it. You are the view.
But here’s the thing: aerial photography from a hot air balloon isn’t like using a drone or flying in a plane. It’s slower. Gentler. It’s not about snapping everything in sight. It’s about being patient, reading the light, and finding compositions in motion.
If you’re lucky enough to fly, here are 10 in-the-air tips to help you get shots that feel as remarkable as the experience itself.
1. Pack Light, Think Smart
You are not in a studio. You’re in a floating basket the size of a closet, sharing space with the pilot, passengers, a propane tank, and a flame that sounds like a dragon exhaling.
So, skip the gear bag full of options. Take one camera body and no more than two lenses. Ideally, bring one versatile zoom (like a 24–70mm or 24–105mm) and one wide prime or ultrawide if you’re looking for dramatic landscape shots. Make sure everything is strapped or harnessed.
Also, avoid changing lenses midair unless you’re very confident. One slip and it’s gone for good.
2. Stabilize Yourself, Not Just the Camera
Balloon rides are surprisingly smooth, but they are still affected by wind and the occasional pilot correction. You’re part of the movement, and you will lean.
So brace yourself when shooting. Use your elbows against the edge of the basket. Stand stable with feet apart and body low. A camera strap around your wrist or neck isn’t just smart. It’s survival for your gear.
Avoid poking your camera too far out. It changes your center of gravity and can risk both safety and sharpness.
3. Know Your Angles: Down, Side, and Horizon
The air gives you three core views, and each tells a different story.
- Downward: Shoot directly below to capture fields, roads, trees, or even your shadow drifting across the land. This is where texture and scale shine.
- Side angle: Look for other balloons in the air. Try isolating them against the sky or layering them with the horizon. Use shallow depth of field to make one balloon pop.
- Horizon shots: These are your classic “floating above the world” frames. Balance the composition with rule-of-thirds logic. Place land at the bottom third, sky up top, and color in the center.
Think like a painter. The air is your canvas.
4. Use Fast Shutter Speeds Because You’re Always Moving
You’re not zipping through the sky, but you’re in constant drift. And you’re photographing things below you that are moving, like cars, trees, livestock, and other balloons.
Start with a shutter speed of at least 1/500. Go to 1/1000 for action shots or when using longer focal lengths. This minimizes both camera shake and subject motion blur.
Pair that with a mid-range aperture (f/5.6 to f/8) for depth and clarity. Let ISO float as needed. Don’t stress about grain. A sharp photo with some noise is better than a blurry one.
5. Bracket Your Exposures for Light Drama
Aerial lighting is unpredictable. Clouds move, sun angles shift, and terrain below may alternate between forest shadows and sunlit wheat.
Use exposure bracketing by taking three quick shots at different exposure levels. This gives you options for editing or even HDR blending later. It’s especially helpful when shooting into sunrises, sunsets, or patchy skies.
And always shoot in RAW. You’ll want full latitude for adjusting highlights, shadows, and white balance in post.
6. Capture the Quiet Moments in the Basket
Don’t just shoot outward. Photograph inward too.
Focus on the hand of the pilot gripping the burner cord, the expression on a fellow passenger’s face, the glow of fire illuminating skin, or the edge of the basket against open sky.
These intimate shots give your photo set emotional range. They tell the story of being there rather than just seeing it.
And since you’re in close quarters, you’ll never need a long lens for these.
7. Chase Contrast, Not Just Color
Yes, balloons are colorful. But from the air, contrast matters just as much. Look for the interplay between shadow and sun, ground and sky, or pattern and plain.
Photograph:
- Sunlight slicing across morning fog
- A single balloon over snow-covered fields
- The dark lines of farmland stitched into golden soil
Seek abstract, graphic compositions. A balloon ride isn’t just pretty—it offers perspective.
8. Watch the Burner Timing for Dramatic Lighting
Every time the pilot blasts the burner, the inside of the balloon lights up like a lantern. This can create stunning lighting, especially if you’re shooting another balloon or passengers from the right angle.
So listen. Anticipate. When you hear the roar, snap fast.
You’ll capture the warmth, the glow, and the flicker of fire reflected in faces or balloon fabric. These shots can be golden.
9. Don’t Forget Vertical Compositions
It’s tempting to shoot wide and horizontal when you’re floating over epic landscapes. But don’t forget to shoot verticals too.
Turn your camera upright when:
- Framing a single balloon rising through mist
- Capturing the length of a balloon plus its reflection on a lake
- Showing a full scene from your basket to the land below
Verticals often feel more immersive, especially on phones and social platforms.
10. Save Some Shots for the Descent and Landing
Everyone focuses on the liftoff and midair moments. But the descent is often more visually interesting.
The angle changes. The ground comes back into play. People wave from below. Dust kicks up. The balloon’s shadow stretches, morphs, and meets the earth.
And once you land, photograph the deflation, the crew wrapping the envelope, and the subtle return to gravity. You can feel the sky letting go of you.
Bonus Gear Tips for Airborne Shooters:
- Lens hoods help cut glare in all that open light
- Circular polarizers can reduce haze, especially over lakes or green terrain
- A backup battery is a must because cold air drains power
- Lens cloths or wipes help fight fog or smudges from cramped handling
Final Word
You are, for a brief time, lighter than the world. Don’t just shoot constantly. Breathe. Listen. Let the silence settle in your bones.
And when you do press the shutter, make it about the feeling, not just the frame.
Because the best photos from a hot air balloon aren’t just about what you see. They’re about what it felt like to float.
