Shooting Anything that Flies
It was worth missing my 16-hour weekend sleep. Last weekend’s Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark, Pampanga is one of the most exhausting, yet one of the most enjoyable weekend trips I had. We (Mica, Allan, Kuya Erik and Fritz) left Cubao at around 3 a.m. We originally planned to leave Manila at 2 a.m. but due to unavailability of buses going to Dau, Angeles City, Pampanga, we were moved at a later time. The trip didn’t take long and we arrived in Clark at around 4:30 in the morning. Too bad I left the tickets in Makati and I was left with no choice but to join the long queue of people buying tickets from the booth outside the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta venue.
Inside the Air Force City grounds, where the Hot Air Balloon Fest was held, people have already had their places. Some brought their picnic blankets while others have set up their tripods and equipments. We waited for about half an hour when a few 4×4 vehicles started to occupy the empty field across the fence. I wasn’t able to see much of what was going on on the field but I was able to figure out that they were already setting up and inflating the balloons. About twenty gigantic colored balloons in different shapes started to rise above what used to be the dark and empty field. It was a spectacular sight. My first actually.
I wished I had enough allowance to buy myself a ride in one of those balloons. Unfortunately, shelling out $150 for a 20-minute balloon ride above an empty field does not sell to me. During the entire duration when the balloons and ‘show-off’ gliders were hovering above us, I made myself busy by taking as much shots that I can using my telephoto lens. And oh, I was hoping I could make use of the ultra-wide angle lens that I bought last week from Hidalgo, but to no avail, there’s just too much distraction that most of my shots were covered with heads, cameras, and heads.
Though there was not much to see in the afternoon, I made myself busy taking pictures while waiting for something exciting to happen. I took around a thousand photos that day that I find it hard to choose which photos to share. To my excitement, I didn’t even bother post-processing the photos I selected to uploaded. I uploaded select photos in my flickr account and a few of them in my facebook account. Here are some of the photos I took that day:
The empty field where they held the Hot Air Ballon Fiesta
Fixing the Ballon
Preparations for the night event of the Hot Air Balloons
25 Responses to “Shooting Anything that Flies”
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- The story behind the Balloon Shot - [...] went to the 15th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta to try out my new 11-16mm f/2.8 Tokina UWA. I didn’t ...
- Bigyan ng Magazine ang batang ‘to - [...] of The Digital Photographer Philippines magazine. This was the photo I took months ago during the Hot Air Balloon ...
Originally sharing his experiences of being a "yagit" in Davao, he now tries to find his luck in the busy district of Makati. He still finds time to blog and go on weekend trips despite his hectic schedule. Join Batang Yagit, now that he has developed from "rags" to a more abundant supply of rags.
I love the last photo! Galing Wins! :D
wwoooooot! Thanks nina. :D I submitted the last photo in their photo contest. :D
Worth it nga :)
At ngayon ko lang na-verify na nakalipat talaga si Toyota LOL
nakalipad naman talaga si toyota :P
my fave would be the last photo as well :D
good luck sa photo contest ;)
hahaha. mabenta si last photo. hehehe. thanks. :D
Wooot! someone’s gonna win. But frankly speaking I dunno what you’re gonna do with the price. o_0
The free gas you mean? Imma let my folks in Davao use it. :P In case I win. But I don’t think I will :D
wow ang aga nyo pumunta. haha. we decided to stay overnight in Clark. :) Your photos look great! I like the last one the most too. Did you win?
yeah para maabutan namin ang balloons. hahaha. the exciting things happen early in the morning. :D
Nice Pics.. i hope Cebu will also host something like that! soon..
woot. that would be nice. :)
waw! ayus ahhh..nice shots…. ganda!
thanks jorich. hehehe :D
I love your pictures! I missed using my DSLR there…I want to go back and really shoot nextime! Haha :p
wooot. thanks maki. sabay tayo next time. :D
ouch sayang naman ung naiwan mong ticket.
souvenir. :D
you were there too? saturday kami pumunta. daming tao noh? left manila around the same time you did.
panalo na yung last photo! :P
Wish I could ride on those hot air balloons someday! I’m afraid of heights but I guess the joy of riding would be worth the fears!
cool pictures!!! i hope i can ride one!
Hello ya!! winston, u remeber me? frend ni jehz? wahehehe, meron adin akong blog! yahoo! geh, just droppin by ^_^ nice site! love the pix :)
hi it’s a nice photograph of hot air balloons. It must be greate fun to see these hot air balloons in action I wish I could sit in it. Like it do parasailing but I have not tried hot air balloon. Thanks for posting these images
ang lamig pala dito sa states :D