Photograph CT

After logging many miles together with our cameras over the highways and back roads of Connecticut, getting up before sunrise in hopes of creating that spectacular shot, my friend and I decided to share our discoveries with others who would also like to photograph the special places of Connecticut.

This project to photograph CT began in 2009, when the two of us first met volunteering in the beautiful gardens at Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington. It is fitting that the first posting on this blog will be that site.

We hope this blog gives you ideas of new places to go, whether you live in CT, vacation here or are just travelling through. Look for a tourist tip along the way: we share some of our favorite eating places or shops in some of the places that we go back to over and over.

Most of the places we talk about are within easy walking distance from the road, although there might be a few that might require a bit of walking to get to scenic points or lookouts. This will be noted in the descriptions. Most locations identified are accessible to the public, and do not need a reservation. Most are free, but when there is an entrance or parking fee, this will be indicated.

The sites are divided geographically into five sections:

* Southwest Connecticut

* Litchfield Hills

* Central River Valley

* The Shoreline

* Eastern Connecticut (including the Quiet Corner)

Search the 'labels' using these locations as keywords to find other places within a geographic section.

There are so many photo opportunities in this beautiful state, and I'll be adding new locations regularly, so check back often. You can also follow the blog to be notified when new locations are added.

So whether you like to shoot landscapes, nature, wildlife, gardens and flowers, architecture, street scenes or people, follow along, and we'll take you on a scenic tour through this beautiful, historic and picturesque state!


Friday, August 23, 2013

Hot Air Balloon Festival in Plainville


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Two balloons lift off over the trees on Saturday morning
The Hot Air Balloon Festival in Plainville is one of the only festivals of its kind in New England. It is held on the fourth weekend in August, and runs from Friday evening through Sunday. The schedule may change year to year, but in general, on Friday evening there is a balloon night glow, with the balloons strutting their stuff aloft and aglow. This is followed by a fireworks display, beginning at 9:30 pm. On Saturday and Sunday, the balloons lift off early in the morning, starting about 6:00 am and fly off to their destinations. There is another lift off at 6:00 pm on Saturday. Also on Saturday, there is a car and motorcycle show. Food vendors and a craft show run throughout the entire weekend.


What to Photograph

The balloons are most colorful when they are set against a clear blue sky, but when they are aglow at night, this can provide an opportunity for a different look against a dark sky. There are a lot of opportunities to capture the flames as they fill the balloons, the people holding the ropes and riding in the balloons, or the crowd watching it all. 
At the balloon glow Friday night
A  
Every balloon has its own flair
Look for the details, like this wicker basket that holds the riders



Filling the balloon with hot air

Shooting flames and a view of the interior of the balloon

Pretty patterns and colors
There are tethered balloons, giving people brief balloon rides up into the air, and these are easy to photograph if you want to shoot some details of the colors and the people. You can take a ride in one of these balloons, for a fee, if you want to see what you can see from about 100 feet above ground. The ride is brief, but you might capture a different view of the balloons, or of the sunset if your timing is right.
In the morning, when the balloons are launched, you have a chance to capture a single balloon or a group of them in the sky together. You have to move fairly quickly because the balloons may disappear over the horizon before you know it.
On the Friday evening, as a fundraiser for the fire department, people are allowed to go inside a balloon that is stretched out on the ground. This attracts a lot of people, kids and adults alike, and it is a wonderful place to be creative with your camera. You can get a shot of the colorful fabrics and shapes from the inside, or capture the kids and the families having some fun against a brilliant and colorful background.
And of course, you might decide to stay to photograph the fireworks display after the balloons are deflated. Make sure you get situated in a good position so you can get the fireworks in the air, and perhaps some of the crowd in the foreground. If the day is overcast, you might try your hand at photographing the vintage cars or motorcycles that are on display, but on a bright day, you have to be careful not to get a lot of reflections in the shining paint and chrome.


When to go

Try to arrive early on Friday evening if you choose to go then. There is a lot of activity going on around the park, and it gets pretty crowded. If you go for the launch on Saturday or Sunday, try to arrive about 5:30 am. The balloonists start to set up quite early, and you might find some good shots. It's a chance to get your bearings and be ready for the take off when they start to go. The balloons don't go off all at once, but rather one or two at a time, so you have lots of opportunity to capture something.


Tips and Techniques

There are a lot of people attending the festival, and it might prove tricky to set up your tripod safely and out of the way. You might decide to shoot hand-held at this event, so be prepared to set your camera on shutter priority and increase your ISO to give you a better chance to get a clear image. Turn on your vibration control (VR) if your camera has it, and set your shutter speed to 1/60 second or faster.

For photographing the cars and motorcycles, you might remember to bring a reflector or a diffuser with you to help cut the glare. You may try to shoot some details, and the diffuser will help soften the light.


Directions

Norton Park
72 Norton Trail,
Plainville, CT
860-747-2521
Email: info@plainvillefireco.com
www.plainvillefireco.com/Balloon_Festival.html

Map coordinates (for GPS): Latitude: 41.68121, Longitude: -71.915573

Parking is available at the park, and on the streets in the neighborhood. It is best to arrive early, since this is a popular festival and draws a large crowd, especially on the Friday evening. It might be a good idea to carpool to the park if you plan to go on Friday.
The festival is held the fourth weekend in August, and is run by the Plainville Fire Department. The hours are as follows, but check the website for potential changes.

Friday: 6pm - 10pm (balloon glow begins at dusk)
Saturday: 6am - 9pm (balloon launch begins at 6:00 am and 6:00 pm)
Sunday: 6am - 9am (balloon launch begins at 6:00 am)


Tourist Tips


There are food vendors at the festival, so if you plan to be there early, you can always have festival food to eat while you watch the balloons. 
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