Hot Air Balloon Ride with my Canon 20D

[Billcoke]

A different kind of ride, instead of motorcar, it is a hot air balloon. But too bad, I'm a passenger, not a pilot, don't have a license to fly these big balloons.

 

1: Feels like I'm in heaven once we are airborned.

 

2:

 

3:

 

4:

Edited November 28, 2008 by Billcoke

[Billcoke]

5: Part of the SOP routine to pre-check the inside of the balloon.

 

 

6: Inflating the balloon with hot air.

 

 

7: Our pilot checks the burners before balloon takes off.

 

 

8: A inflated balloon called KIA, waiting to be lift off.

[Billcoke]

9: Our pilot checks the wind direction before flying the balloon to higher altitude.

 

 

10: Champagne celebration after successful landing on the grass field.

[Cactus]

Very nice pics! May I know where is this?

[Seevic]

20D's still a wonderful camera till date.

Of course great shots there too.

[Billcoke]

Yeah, 20D is a nice camera. You are using a 20D too?

[Darkness]

looks like Turkey?

[Listing]

Nice pictures! How much did the ride cost?

[Shull]

bro, what lens are you using?

 

i'm also a 20D user..currently on 17-40L

[Rjmsfire]

It must have been a lovely experience for you. I have also flown on a hot air balloon. I loved the peaceful way you fly. It's so amazing. Most other forms of flight are noisy (engines) but this form of aviation is silent when you are just drifting along when the burners are not being used. You really feel the sensation of flight, which can't be said when you are inside an airliner. And my most enduring memory of my flight was when the pilot brought us to tree top level, we just drifted slowly pass the tree tops and I reached out to touch the leaves. It felt so surreal!

[Billcoke]

Cost US$220 per trip, which last for about an hour. It is quite $$$.

 

We feel like weightless, like a feather floating in the air.

[Billcoke]

Same here, all photos shot with 17-40L. Except for photo no. 8 , captured using f2.8 70-200L. Never like 70-200L, it is heavy like bricks.

Edited November 28, 2008 by Billcoke

[Shull]

Price to pay for the f2.8.. usually for travelling, i only bring my 17-40L..and if needed, i will borrow a 24-105L..

 

 

btw, your last pic..i nv knew Turkey, as a secular muslim country..can drink alcohol so openly one ah?

Edited November 28, 2008 by Shull

[Kxbc]

You have a good eye for angles though I don't really like the last pic. Too much dark area. If have more of the textured sky, lagi good. Fav is pic #2.

 

Your initials same as my friend who uses a Canon too. Are you living in Bt Timah area now?

[Billcoke]

Thanks.

 

Do you mean the last photo is too dark?

 

Nope, dun stay at Bukit Timah.

[Ghostrider]

Nice pictures....

 

I always wonder how the hell the blast hot air from a flame thrower into the balloon without burning the strings....

[Kxbc]

No, I mean there is too much dark areas (with no feature at all due to darkness) taking up to 50% of the photo. If it is more like #1 where the dark part occupies approx 30% of the photo (rule of third which I think you must be very familiar with), with the clouds giving the photo more texture, then will be nicer.

 

Your balloon experience sure worth the money.

[Billcoke]

Yeah, I also wonder why the ropes around the burner does not catch fire. When they blast the hot flame, we can also feel the heat while standing inside the basket, even though the surronding air temperature is around 10c.