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07/19/2011 01:26:15 AM · #1 |
| Anyone who suffers from these fears been on a balloon ride for a photo shoot? How bad is it? I freak out on glass-bottom lifts in high rises but have no problem looking down through a glass floor in a helicopter - what could be the difference? I would not like to have to jump off the balloon if I couldn't take it :) |
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07/19/2011 01:35:48 AM · #2 |
Originally posted by MargaretN:
Anyone who suffers from these fears been on a balloon ride for a photo shoot? How bad is it? I freak out on glass-bottom lifts in high rises but have no problem looking down through a glass floor in a helicopter - what could be the difference? I would not like to have to jump off the balloon if I couldn't take it :) |
Who knows... You're apparently completely irrational. :) Scared in a perfectly safe lift, yet calm in a helicopter. My guess is that since you seem to be somewhat backwards with fear vs. risk, since balloons are fairly safe, there's a good chance you'll be terrified. (am I being helpful yet? ;) )..... |
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07/19/2011 01:50:00 AM · #3 |
I am not a great fan of heights, I think it has something to do with a Bungee jump I did 15 years ago, who knows!
Anyway, I am not good with lifts in general, if they go over 4 floors I begin to wobble.
I have, however, been on a hot air balloon ride and it was awesome. There really is nothing to fear, it is so peaceful and relaxing, you "float" with the wind. Any sounds you hear from the ground are so crisp and clear as the sound is travelling with the wind too.
It was an amazing experience, I would recommend it to anyone!
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07/19/2011 02:00:25 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by Cory:
You're apparently completely irrational. :) |
That's true :) |
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07/19/2011 02:03:15 AM · #5 |
Just a fun set of facts... :)
The only known occurence of an elevator car free falling due to a snapped cable (barring fire or structural collapse), was in 1945. A B25 Bomber crashed into the Empire State Building, severing the cables of two elevators. The elevator car on the 75th floor had a woman on it, but she survived due to the 1000 feet of coiled cable of fallen cable below, which lessened the impact.
Elevators are twenty times safer than escalators. There are twenty times more elevators than escalators, but only 1/3 more accidents.
Elevators are also safer than cars. An average of 26 people die in elevators each year in the U.S. There are 26 car deaths every five hours.
Most people who die in elevators are elevator technicians.
The Otis Elevator Company carries the equivalent of the world's population in their elevators every five days. |
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07/19/2011 02:05:42 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by supanova:
I am not a great fan of heights, I think it has something to do with a Bungee jump I did 15 years ago, who knows!
Anyway, I am not good with lifts in general, if they go over 4 floors I begin to wobble.
I have, however, been on a hot air balloon ride and it was awesome. There really is nothing to fear, it is so peaceful and relaxing, you "float" with the wind. Any sounds you hear from the ground are so crisp and clear as the sound is travelling with the wind too.
It was an amazing experience, I would recommend it to anyone! |
Thanks, Caz. I am sold. Each time I went to the Yarra Valley lookout to take photos of the fog I saw the balloons coming up through it. I thought this could be a way to get better photos. In the worst case I will spend the ride curled up at the bottom of the basket!! :) |
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07/19/2011 02:20:44 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by Cory:
Just a fun set of facts... :)
The only known occurence of an elevator car free falling due to a snapped cable (barring fire or structural collapse), was in 1945. A B25 Bomber crashed into the Empire State Building, severing the cables of two elevators. The elevator car on the 75th floor had a woman on it, but she survived due to the 1000 feet of coiled cable of fallen cable below, which lessened the impact.
Elevators are twenty times safer than escalators. There are twenty times more elevators than escalators, but only 1/3 more accidents.
Elevators are also safer than cars. An average of 26 people die in elevators each year in the U.S. There are 26 car deaths every five hours.
Most people who die in elevators are elevator technicians.
The Otis Elevator Company carries the equivalent of the world's population in their elevators every five days. |
I am not scared of all elevators, just those with glass bottoms! :)
PS All fobias are irrational, knowledge of the risk makes no difference. |
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07/19/2011 02:21:04 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by Cory:
An average of 26 people die in elevators each year in the U.S. |
26?? Crap! I'm taking the stairs. ...wait- how many people die on the stairs? |
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07/19/2011 02:23:18 AM · #9 |
I highly recommend going hot air ballooning, too.
I went in my hometown of Canberra; it was fantastic. |
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07/19/2011 02:28:23 AM · #10 |
Hot air balloons are AWESOME to ride in. You can hardly tell that you are not standing on the ground because the movement is so smooth and quiet, except for the noise of the flame.
It's better than riding in an airplane, because you don't know exactly when you are going to lift off. You leave the ground with the aircraft on fire. You don't know exactly which way you will be going or where you will land. When you do land, it could be anywhere, but most likely not on an airstrip.
Enjoy your ride. It's safe, and one of the most wonderful experiences you can ever have.
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07/19/2011 02:43:49 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by MargaretN:
In the worst case I will spend the ride curled up at the bottom of the basket!! :) |
Trust me, you will not be curled up in the basket!
The only "mildly scary" part is the landing as it gets a bit bumpy and you have to help the landing by holding on and leaning backwards, you could land anywhere, we landed in a field full of heather, it was a bit hairy at times but it was cool, you will love it :-)
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07/19/2011 02:48:50 AM · #12 |
Just be sure to get the balloon with the MOST hot air.
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07/19/2011 06:33:32 AM · #13 |
I'm scared of heights. A chair is doable for me, getting on a table makes the room spin around. Getting onto a small ladder f.ex. to remove curtains and drapes for washing, is a hell.
I guess this shows well the severity of my fear.
A few years ago I scraped all my guts together and stepped into the basket of a hot air balloon to find out that there I didn't fear the hight - at all. Looking far away is never a problem. Looking straight down beneath wasn't a problem either, strangely enough.
The silence up their with only the sound of the flame to put hot air into the balloon, the views,...I would do it again, immediately and without any doubt.
As  supanova says: the only slightly scaring part is the landing. But this is the case for everyone, not only for those with fear of heights. Just hang on well and get yourself a good firm grip.
Message edited by author 2011-07-19 06:35:59. |
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07/19/2011 06:45:27 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by Nadine_Vb:
I'm scared of heights. A chair is doable for me, getting on a table makes the room spin around. Getting onto a small ladder f.ex. to remove curtains and drapes for washing, is a hell.
I guess this shows well the severity of my fear.
A few years ago I scraped all my guts together and stepped into the basket of a hot air balloon to find out that there I didn't fear the hight - at all. Looking far away is never a problem. Looking straight down beneath wasn't a problem either, strangely enough.
The silence up their with only the sound of the flame to put hot air into the balloon, the views,...I would do it again, immediately and without any doubt.
As supanova says: the only slightly scaring part is the landing. But this is the case for everyone, not only for those with fear of heights. Just hang on well and get yourself a good firm grip. |
Thanks, Nadine. I am not scared of landing (as long as it is not too fast :) |
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07/19/2011 10:45:14 AM · #15 |
Sort of a mild thread hijack, but I hope that the shuttle lands safely tomorrow morning. After that, this will be the only one left that still flies.
Landing safety pretty much depends on ground wind speed. In Abq 06, we landed in an intersection in a residential area, changed passengers, then lifted off again, landing in an open field. There were a lot of balloons landing in the residential areas of town at the time. The pix are here if you wish to look through them to get stoked for your ride and maybe get some ideas about what to bring to shoot with. I was using an 18-70 and a 15mm fisheye for these. The only scary part of the trip was changing lenses. We were crowded in the basket, and I was holding the camera over the side when changing lenses. I was not so concerned about losing a lens but more worried about where one would land if I dropped it. The "here we are" shot was done with a monopod and self timer. Once you get into the basket, just focus on your shooting for most of the time, and don't forget to reserve a couple of minutes to just relax and soak in the amazing views and beauty of flight while you are up there. It's like a magic carpet with sides on it.
New Mexico Oct 06 WT
Balloon Fest pix are in the last 1/3 of the album.
Hi Nadine_Vb, glad you're back on DPC.
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07/19/2011 01:10:39 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by Cory:
Just a fun set of facts... :)
The Otis Elevator Company carries the equivalent of the world's population in their elevators every five days. |
I seem to remember reading that the Otis Elevator Company has/had their headquarters in a one-story building ...
Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:
Landing safety pretty much depends on ground wind speed. In Abq 06, we landed in an intersection in a residential area, changed passengers, then lifted off again, landing in an open field. There were a lot of balloons landing in the residential areas of town at the time. |
If you are landing in populated areas the biggest risk is probably running into electrical wires. Presumably you'll be going with an experienced pilot, I which case I wouldn't worry too much -- have a great time!
Message edited by author 2011-07-19 13:15:48. |
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07/19/2011 02:59:44 PM · #17 |
| Just *thinking* about going up in a hot air balloon makes me sick to my stomach .. . I'll have to go lie down after reading this thread. . . . |
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07/19/2011 06:43:45 PM · #18 |
I took my first balloon ride in Egypt last year, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Like the others have said, there isn't much sensation of movement at all.
When we landed though, we were going a bit fast, and bounced twice and the basket tipped over (it fit 30 people) and dragged about 30 feet before coming to a stop. A bit scary at the time, but we were all laughing about it five minutes later.
There is nothing like floating 40, 50, 60 feet over houses and fields and then going up to get a wider view. Simply amazing.
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07/19/2011 10:30:09 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:
Sort of a mild thread hijack, but I hope that the shuttle lands safely tomorrow morning. After that, this will be the only one left that still flies.
Landing safety pretty much depends on ground wind speed. In Abq 06, we landed in an intersection in a residential area, changed passengers, then lifted off again, landing in an open field. There were a lot of balloons landing in the residential areas of town at the time. The pix are here if you wish to look through them to get stoked for your ride and maybe get some ideas about what to bring to shoot with. I was using an 18-70 and a 15mm fisheye for these. The only scary part of the trip was changing lenses. We were crowded in the basket, and I was holding the camera over the side when changing lenses. I was not so concerned about losing a lens but more worried about where one would land if I dropped it. The "here we are" shot was done with a monopod and self timer. Once you get into the basket, just focus on your shooting for most of the time, and don't forget to reserve a couple of minutes to just relax and soak in the amazing views and beauty of flight while you are up there. It's like a magic carpet with sides on it.
New Mexico Oct 06 WT
Balloon Fest pix are in the last 1/3 of the album.
Hi Nadine_Vb, glad you're back on DPC. |
Thanks. I looked at your photos - how do they manage not to bump into one another? There was a case in Australia of 2 balloons colliding and plummeting to the ground.
I am planning to take my 550D with 70-200 lens and SD95. I would not like to change the lens in flight! |
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07/19/2011 10:33:34 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by alohadave:
I took my first balloon ride in Egypt last year, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Like the others have said, there isn't much sensation of movement at all.
When we landed though, we were going a bit fast, and bounced twice and the basket tipped over (it fit 30 people) and dragged about 30 feet before coming to a stop. A bit scary at the time, but we were all laughing about it five minutes later.
There is nothing like floating 40, 50, 60 feet over houses and fields and then going up to get a wider view. Simply amazing. |
I am totally sold now. Usually when I have a camera in hand most of my fears subside (I used to dive with sharks, the camera made me fearless - well, almost ;) |
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07/19/2011 10:39:56 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by MargaretN:
I am planning to take my 550D with 70-200 lens and SD95. I would not like to change the lens in flight! |
Whyever not? You'll have a solid floor under you and virtually no sense of motion; you are moving at the speed of the wind, so you spend the entire journey in a state of calm, it's quite serene. If you've ever sailed dead downwind in light air with a spinnaker up, it's like that except more so.
R. |
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07/19/2011 10:54:25 PM · #22 |
The balloon below has the right of way in vertical space, because the one above can see it. It's not unusual for them to brush into each other side by side, but the baskets never make contact that way. It's quite gentle, since both are generally moving at almost the exact same speed and same general direction. They just sort of gingerly squish into each other a little, then drift apart again.
The accident down under must have been a serious vertical speed difference problem, like one rapidly descending into the top of the other one.
I feel that you will be wishing for a wider lens than 70mm unless you plan to shoot some specific details like deer on the ground from up there. I don't know how wide the SD95 will go. If you do use a wide lens, leave out the polarizer. If it's a clear blue day, you can get an unevenly colored sky pretty easily from up there with a polarizer. You may have noticed that in a couple of my images from New Mexico. It was mid morning, and the sun was at an angle that caused the uneven effect.
Take me with you?
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07/19/2011 10:56:10 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by MargaretN:
I am planning to take my 550D with 70-200 lens and SD95. I would not like to change the lens in flight! |
Whyever not? You'll have a solid floor under you and virtually no sense of motion; you are moving at the speed of the wind, so you spend the entire journey in a state of calm, it's quite serene. If you've ever sailed dead downwind in light air with a spinnaker up, it's like that except more so.
R. |
Yeh, I did sail years ago and loved it. Re lens - I like the selective landscapes so 70-200 should work well and allow me to take shots I could not take from the lookout. It is a big valley with distant mountains and lots of grapevines. I don't see much point in taking 10-22m or 15-85mm?
It is likely to be about -5C up there, I'll have to wear my warm skiing clothes and gloves I used in Whistler. I am also planning to take hand warmers. A serious expedition!! :) |
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07/19/2011 11:01:20 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:
The balloon below has the right of way in vertical space, because the one above can see it. It's not unusual for them to brush into each other side by side, but the baskets never make contact that way. It's quite gentle, since both are generally moving at almost the exact same speed and same general direction. They just sort of gingerly squish into each other a little, then drift apart again.
The accident down under must have been a serious vertical speed difference problem, like one rapidly descending into the top of the other one.
I feel that you will be wishing for a wider lens than 70mm unless you plan to shoot some specific details like deer on the ground from up there. I don't know how wide the SD95 will go. If you do use a wide lens, leave out the polarizer. If it's a clear blue day, you can get an unevenly colored sky pretty easily from up there with a polarizer. You may have noticed that in a couple of my images from New Mexico. It was mid morning, and the sun was at an angle that caused the uneven effect.
Take me with you? |
No worries, come over! :)
I will be going up at sunrise. Thanks for the tip re polarizer. Should I then take also 10-22 or 15-85? SD95 is minimum 28mm which I think is 15mm on 550D - am I right? |
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07/19/2011 11:05:48 PM · #25 |
I forgot that it's mid winter in Aussie land. Cold is good for balloons, not so good for people. Take a spare battery if you have it. It would be really a letdown to get up there shooting and have the cold take out your battery.
I agree then that the 70-200 should do what you want to do re landscapes. Using a polarizer should be fine with that focal range if you have plenty of light and want to use one.
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