“Sometimes, you don’t just take a photograph. You walk into one.”
That’s exactly what happened on a cool misty morning in the mid-1980s, in the heart of Hyderabad.

It was barely dawn. The field was damp. And in front of me lay a giant, sleeping dragon – a deflated hot air balloon, sprawled across the earth like a fallen rainbow. The air was thick with anticipation. A soft hiss, a rustle of nylon, and then — he stepped in.

The balloon flyer — silhouetted against an explosion of colors, almost like a puppet master at work — pulled the ropes, checked the valves, and prepped the canvas for the dance of fire that was to come. He didn’t know he was becoming art.

And I didn’t know I was about to take one of my all-time favorite shots.

🎞️ Shot on my trusted Nikon F2AS with 35mm slide film, this image was pure instinct. No metering apps. No previews. Just an eye trained by chai, waiting, and years of seeing light with a photographer’s heart.

🎯 Why This Shot Works (And How You Can Try It Too)

1. Use the Light to Tell the Story
The backlighting here made all the difference. The early morning sun filtering through the thin fabric gave that surreal glow. You don’t need expensive lights — a sunrise, a colorful tent, or translucent drapes at home can give you the same mood.

2. Silhouettes Speak Louder
Silhouettes add mystery and emotion. Expose for the highlights (the balloon's fabric) and let your subject fall into shadow.

3. Go Wide. Go Low.
I used a 35mm lens to get into the scene. Crouch low, shoot wide, and let the curves of your subject frame the human form inside.

4. Look for Texture + Color
The wrinkled balloon fabric, the gradient of warm to cool tones — drama doesn’t need a model, just a moment.

5. Old School = Soul School
Slide film taught me to respect light and patience. If you're shooting digital, switch to manual and pretend you have only one shot. You'll be surprised how that improves your eye.

💡 You Can Do It Too (Even With a Phone!)

📌 Find color-rich subjects — balloons, tents, cloth markets, Holi scenes
📌 Shoot during sunrise or golden hour
📌 Use backlight — let light pass through color
📌 Tap to expose on the brightest part
📌 Try silhouette shots — they’re storytelling gold
📌 Don’t fear shadows — they are your drama!

#photography #balloonphotography #sillouetteshooting #darkshadows #againstlightshooting #colorphotography #rainbowcolors