It is lucky if one of those misty mornings coincide with the Pittsfield Balloon Festival…where the balloons launch over a ponding of the Suncook River. This weekend, the forecast looked great for two such mornings, and I got up early to shoot the sunrise launch.

There were two separate shows this morning…the sunrise, and the launch. The sunrise lit up an encroaching bank of clouds with spectacular pink and muted blue hues. This would have been a scene that I would want maximum flexibility on to work the composition…but with literally hundreds of photographers lining the pond, I didn’t want to give up my prime balloon watching spot.

Crowd at Pittsfield Balloon Festival

Fortunately, the color moved all the way from east to the western horizon, and color filled the scene in front of me!

Suncook Sunrise

When the natural color died out, the balloons took up the slack. Unfortunately the winds pushed the balloons the wrong direction initially, and the light was choked out by the same clouds that provided the brilliant sunrise…and shots weren’t ideal. Which was fine…as hot air balloons are mesmerizing…especially for a physics, thermodynamics and weather nerd like myself.

Eventually, the balloons made their way back over the pond, and a few nice scenes were composed. I am hoping for better light tomorrow…so a small teaser for today…

Balloon Festival