Hot air balloon races am I wasting my time?

[DZ]

Some friends and I are probably going to be heading to Reno this Saturday to take some pictures at the hot air balloon races. Has anyone gone, or planning to go and more importantly - is it worth going to?

[sybir]

*insert obligatory comment about DZ and balloons here*

I've never been, might be interesting....

[DZ]

*inset obligatory comment about DZ and balloons here*

I've never been, might be interesting....
They are way too big for me to hug, though I will see if I can find a window or two to lick...

[MattR]

I enjoy walking around the place bumping into people on purpose as they stare into the sky...good times. Overall, its pretty slow paced and awefully boring unless you get to go for a ride. But I would imagine there are some good picture opportuinties, since you're into that sort of thing . :)

[DZ]

I enjoy walking around the place bumping into people on purpose as they stare into the sky...good times. Overall, its pretty slow paced and awefully boring unless you get to go for a ride. But I would imagine there are some good picture opportuinties, since you're into that sort of thing . :)
That sound about like what I figured, I have no idea how many people to expect but I plan to be out of there by 10am at the latest. We are either going to go up the night before or head out from Sacramento at 2am to make sure we are there when they light the fires. I have no interest in the bands and other crap later in the day - hopefully that is the big croud draw - if there is a big croud draw...

[MattR]

Oh yeah, there's a ton of people there, you can be sure of that. Parking is very limited, some of the casinos run shuttles, so perhaps park at the Circus Circus or Legaacy and take a shuttle up there.

The early morning stuff at like 4-5 am is the coolest. I think they stop flying around noon because the wind usually comes up.

[Dean]

It's cool, and you are done by 9am in time for breakfast.... Worth doing. Don't bring crap they won't let on the field, and you can walk out amung them as they fill them. That is really cool in the dark as well.

Flashlights!

[DZ]

It's cool, and you are done by 9am in time for breakfast.... Worth doing. Don't bring crap they won't let on the field, and you can walk out amung them as they fill them. That is really cool in the dark as well.

Flashlights!
I did not see anyting on the website limiting what you can bring. All I plan to have with me is a backpack full of camera gear and a tripod. The only thing I am a little worried about is that some events do not allow backpacks - like the Sacramento Air Show.

Good call on the flashlight - I had not even thought about that.

[Bob Danger]

I enjoy walking around the place bumping into people on purpose as they stare into the sky...good times.
:lol: Pure Comedy

[sperry]

That sound about like what I figured, I have no idea how many people to expect but I plan to be out of there by 10am at the latest. We are either going to go up the night before or head out from Sacramento at 2am to make sure we are there when they light the fires. I have no interest in the bands and other crap later in the day - hopefully that is the big croud draw - if there is a big croud draw...
WTF is a "croud"?

http://www.shawnwall.com/images/kellybday/cloud.jpg

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:2Tvrs8rYPH_HLM:http://www.nicem.org.uk/images/chinese%2520man.jpg
"oOOohh, rook at dat one!!"

(I'm going to hell)

[JonnydaJibba]

:lol:

[DZ]

WTF is a "croud"?

http://www.shawnwall.com/images/kellybday/cloud.jpg

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:2Tvrs8rYPH_HLM:http://www.nicem.org.uk/images/chinese%2520man.jpg
"oOOohh, rook at dat one!!"

(I'm going to hell)
God damn it, coffee on the new LCD at work...

I will hang my head in shame for the rest of the day for that slip up though... :D

[sti deede]

Oh Dan, you should go out to dawn patrol. It's at 5 am ish, but it's pretty cool. They fill and launch the balloons in the dark approaching dawn. It's cool because they light up in the night sky. I think it's worth seeing just once. I have a co-worker up in Reno that lives right down the street from the park and she usually does a bloody mary party in conjunction with dawn patrol. Nothing like starting the day right and getting wasted at dawn.
http://www.renoballoon.com/gallery2/large6.jpg

[JonnydaJibba]

I'm looking forward to getting some good pictures. I am not looking forward to attempting to waking up at 4:30. Actually maybe I'll still be awake...

[MPREZIV]

^^ that's the trick: not to wake up at 4:30, but to simply STILL be awake!

[DZ]

It looks like myself and one other are driving up tomorrow afternoon and staying at one of the casinos. My friend is making the reservations so I am not sure which one but it will probably be the peppermill. A few more are driving up from Sac leaving at 2am.

I am going to try to get there as early as possible so that we can park close and use our car as a base of operations. I will be wearing my SECCS hoodie and a few cameras around my neck, hopefully I will see some of you there...

[MPREZIV]

Very often, most of the casinos are BOOKED up when there's an event in town. Even the balloon races...

Hope you guys can find a room!

[DZ]

Very often, most of the casinos are BOOKED up when there's an event in town. Even the balloon races...

Hope you guys can find a room!
We are confirmed at the Peppermill, so that is a done deal...

[MPREZIV]

We are confirmed at the Peppermill, so that is a done deal...

Good stuff! I just know that it can be a bit of a bitch sometimes...

[DZ]

And I thought that CA roads were bad. The left lane on 80 between the state line and Reno sucks major ass.

On a side note, I found Jesus in Reno...

Anyway, a few of my shots from Saturday in case anyone cares:
http://www.dzsphotography.com/photos/94248736-L.jpg
http://www.dzsphotography.com/photos/94248812-L-1.jpg
http://www.dzsphotography.com/photos/94248088-L-1.jpg
http://www.dzsphotography.com/photos/94297068-L-1.jpg
http://www.dzsphotography.com/photos/94248163-L-1.jpg
http://www.dzsphotography.com/photos/94248143-L-1.jpg
http://www.dzsphotography.com/photos/94248296-L.jpg
http://www.dzsphotography.com/photos/94248353-L.jpg
http://www.dzsphotography.com/photos/94249233-L-1.jpg
http://www.dzsphotography.com/photos/94248372-L.jpg
http://www.dzsphotography.com/photos/94249088-L.jpg
http://www.dzsphotography.com/photos/94248194-L-1.jpg



http://www.dzsphotography.com/photos/94248331-L-1.jpg

[tysonK]

jesus balloon saves your soul.

[left footed whooten]

Nice photos. Friday morning it was so hazy, they didn't look nearly as brilliant as your photos.

[cody]

Halelujah.

Nice pics.

[sperry]

http://www.dzsphotography.com/photos/94248372-L.jpg

OMGZ! There are little people clinging to those beezez balls!! :eek:

[Kevin M]

Umm... I take it this is the Catholic entry in the race?

[MikeK]

Umm... I take it this is the Catholic entry in the race?

lol!

<cartman>I want to get down on my knees and please jesus, I want his salvation all over my face</cartman>

[MPREZIV]

The "reflecting pool" picture is pretty f*ing cool!

[JonnydaJibba]

I tried getting up twice. But only made it as far as the bathroom.

[Nick Koan]

Awesome pictures dan. I like the night/early morning ones.

[ScottyS]

Those are some really nice photos --- what camera? Did you use any filters?

[DZ]

Thanks all...

The rest of my shots are now up if anyone wants to look:
http://www.dzsphotography.com/gallery/1873627/1


Those are some really nice photos --- what camera? Did you use any filters?
I used two different cameras at the event - the wide angle stuff was shot with a Canon 1d Mark II N and a 16-35mm lens. The close up shots were with my 20d and a 70-200mm and 100-400mm lens. I did not use any filters in the shots I posted, the shots I took with the circular polarizer did not turn out as nicely as the shots without it did.

I think this will be on my list of events to attend next year, after seeing the pictures - my wife wants to see the event live and in person...

[Joeyy]

They need a were is Waldo balloon when they fill the sky.