Socorro Aerial Photographers | Stock Photography NM | Photographer

Balloon Fiesta

Thousands of spectators are present every October to witness this

This is a typical crowd at a Balloon Fiesta Event.

spectacular event in Albuquerque, New Mexico (NM). Eagle’s Eye Photo Imaging has been the aerial photographer of choice by the Balloon Fiesta organizers, to document the Balloon Glow and Special Shapes Rodeo events held annually at the Fiesta since 1984.

Complete informtion about the Balloon Fiesta can be found on their web site www.balloonfiesta.com VISIT my gallery of images located on the photo gallery tab page.

Lee Morgan is responsible for organizing the aircraft permitted into the restricted airspace, by the Balloon Fiesta Officials during these special events such as the Balloon Glow and Special Shapes Rodeo. The restricted flight area, known as a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) area, extends 3 nautical miles from the center of the field, starting at ground level and up to 3000′ above ground.

Past Balloon Glow photographic images were created on Kodak Pro 1000 color negative film. (ASA 1000); The images are taken with a Hasselblad, ELM, using an 80mm f2.8 aperture setting at a 1/60th of a second. Now all the images are taken digitally.

Bear in mind Lee creates these images while hand-holding the camera and moving through the air at 80 mph, 1,300 feet above the ground, in the dark, from a fixed-wing airplane. The images are taken immediately following sunset to eliminate the long shadows created by the huge balloons. Again, Lee, normally is at 1,300 feet above the field, moving at 90 mph. As mentioned above about the restricted area, the same altitude was required for all events. Some years, the special shapes inflation time was delayed by the wind, and therefore we were unable to get a group photo. When the group photo’s are taken, the camera is also hand-held.

For those of you wondering how Lee flies and shoots at the same time–safely–he always utilizes a safety pilot to operate the controls and watch for any unauthorized aircraft in the area.

During the photography time of these events, Lee is in constant contact with Approach Control, who is responsible for the air space. There is one controller assigned to monitor the restricted airspace from Approach Control. We also are in constant contact by aircraft radio with the Balloon Meister who is on the same frequency. This is done to facilitate being able to call the All Burns shots of the balloons. We have to plan to be at the north or south end at the moment the balloons all burn, to get the best photo vantage point of the field to provide a quality image of the event for the Fiesta to sell.

The aerial photographic images are a unique view of the fabulous event and are only available through the Balloon Fiesta Official Souvenir Tent during the Fiesta, or from Eagle’s Eye Photo Imaging after the event. The images are available in 8 x 10 ($25.00 each) or 16 x 24 ($45.00 each) sizes for the current year, plus shipping and handling. All prints are custom-crafted and are suitable for framing. They make great gifts! To place your order, CALL or E-MAIL NOW to ask questions and to request a free QUOTE.