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Chasing Hot Air Balloons

SW_Drone_Guy

Well-Known Member
Premium Pilot
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Jun 3, 2020
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Here's some footage from my Mavic Mini, chasing balloons on a clear summer morning in the Phoenix Valley - which is in the desert southwest of the US.
Actually, "chasing" balloons isn't very productive. I'm learning to get ahead of the balloon and let it come to me, but that isn't always easy since they change direction as they ascend and descend.
If you can find their chase truck(s) you're golden! ?
This video is intentionally fast and choppy; it's not intended to be cinematic. I understand this style is not for everyone... I'm new to all of this and experimenting - and its a little overwhelming at times. But fun!
I created the soundtrack in Magix Music Maker on a Win10 computer, then moved it to my phone.
I edited the video on my Android phone in an app called Kinemaster, adding the soundtrack then.
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I really like this, your intro it's like a ufo file type of TV program. I like the shifting, I couldn't do with a lot of it but I think you have the right amount to make it surreal without making it unreal. It's a great skill to add edge, drama and pace to something as slow and gentle as balloons. cool tunes too, liking the funky base, I'm defo for the indy appeal, super smooth is really great for well super smooth, but smooth jazz without an edge is elevator music, I don't want to film elevator music with such a diverse tool as these drones, be like buying an Roland 808 and using it just for drum loops, anyhow resect for your perspective. Personally after years producing traditional wet and digital stills on a myriad of media and subjects I wouldn't not use ND's ever if I could capture raw, without post raw processing, there may well be a place for auto and AE loock, esp with your style of shooting. Very cool and enjoyable - thanks for the pointer, enjoyed the video :)
 
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Here's some footage from my Mavic Mini, chasing balloons on a clear summer morning in the Phoenix Valley - which is in the desert southwest of the US.
Actually, "chasing" balloons isn't very productive. I'm learning to get ahead of the balloon and let it come to me, but that isn't always easy since they change direction as they ascend and descend.
If you can find their chase truck(s) you're golden! ?
This video is intentionally fast and choppy; it's not intended to be cinematic. I understand this style is not for everyone... I'm new to all of this and experimenting - and its a little overwhelming at times. But fun!
I created the soundtrack in Magix Music Maker on a Win10 computer, then moved it to my phone.
I edited the video on my Android phone in an app called Kinemaster, adding the soundtrack then.
To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.
I liked it!
 
Thanks for the feedback and thanks, Grasscutter, for your perspective.
I'll keep learning by trial and error - and YouTube! :)
...and there may be a set of ND filters in my future.
Happy flying
 
That was very good. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Also glad you mentioned that you had permission from the ballooners (if that's what they call themselves ?) to fly your drone around them. That said, it surprised me that they let you do that as it could have been disastrous for someone if you had a mishap or accident (say sudden loss of signal, wind gust, etc). Also, whether you had their permission or not, I wonder if it is really legal to do this (fly drones near hot air balloons). Not trying to be critical of you, I just think it may not be a good idea for everyone's safety.
 
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could have been disastrous for someone if you had a mishap or accident (say sudden loss of signal, wind gust, etc).

If I had to hazard a guess someone that's getting into a device with their life probably thinking about it the same way a bird might hit it in regards to a mavic mini.. Hopefully they engineered it to withstand such things.... granted bird strikes are bird strikes on planes..

You need FAA permission to launch balloon so not sure of the legality of it.. I just like the video lol
 
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