Talk about timing. As Stephen and I headed to Antelope Canyon early last month, we saw many balloons being launched over Page, AZ. We found a side road and took a few photos, but we didn’t expect much from them. We were not surprised by the results. At the canyon entrance we learned that there was a weekend balloon festival in town. It was the 11th annual “Page Lake Powell Hot Air Balloon Regatta”.
As I traveled through this amazing canyon trying to make as many good photos as possible in the short 2 hours allowed, I started hearing the sounds of a blower turning on and off. Strange, I didn’t feel any air movement in the canyon. When I reached one of the few spots in the canyon with a view of the sky I looked up and saw a balloon overhead. Its burner was the sound I heard. I quickly set my tripod to the side and snapped a few bracketed shots with a second camera I was carrying that had a longer lens. I braced my body against the canyon wall and got off 5 shots before the balloon was gone.
Most of us get lucky shots from time to time. I find, the harder you work, the luckier your get. Being prepared and knowing how to quickly make the important settings on your camera helps too.
