Ballooning 1a Hot-air balloon festivals are fun to watch and fun to shoot, especially when you are able to capture those great pictures of hot air balloons taking off. And it’s no wonder: The balloons are so big, bright and beautiful, and the early-day light is so dynamic. Still, success hinges on planning. SHOOTING STRATEGIES Get there early. Arriving when the "gates" open allows time to scout out things in a casual, pre-event atmosphere. You'll appreciate this strategy later, when the action is happening oh-so-very fast. Incidentally, most spectators and photographers gather near the easy-to-reach main “stage,” but excellent balloons can also launch from the less-hectic fringes. Besides great colors, look for balloons with funny designs, slogans, and shapes. Be ready to catch crews in action, including the heating-up-the-air process that creates a mini-“fireworks” display during inflation. You may even want to ask crew members if you can poke your camera inside their backlit balloon. Ballooning Festival 2a BE READY FOR OTHER SUBJECTS Besides great colors, look for balloons with funny designs, slogans, and shapes. Be ready to catch crews in action, including the heating-up-the-air process that creates a mini-“fireworks” display during inflation. You may even want to ask crew members if you can poke your camera inside their backlit balloon. Great surroundings? Then include the scenery as a backdrop. Ponds or lakes nearby? Watch for reflections. EQUIPMENT OPTIONS Don’t leave any lens behind! A telephoto or zoom lets you fill the picture frame with a splash of color and allows you to compress space by making balloons appear closer together than they really are. With a wide-angle, you can combine a close-up foreground with far-off balloons for a so-called "sense of place." Pack any accessories you have, too. For instance, fill flash brightens up a shadowed close-up object against a distant sunlit subject. A polarizing filter can boost colors by reducing unwanted glare and by beefing up a pale-blue sky. LASTLY ... Remember the No. 1 balloon festival "rule": At any given minute, the best and brightest balloon is ALMOST ALWAYS rising too far away to shoot!