Between a rock and a hard place Photo

Photographer’s Note

A flight with a baloon above the spectacular landscape of Cappadokia is considered a "must do" once you visit the region, and if you ask me, it really is. The whole thing, waking up in the middle of the night, watch the preparations of the baloon, and mostly, flying (the "main course") are an unforgetable experience.

There are many companies arranging flights and if the weather allows it, you can see more than 30 baloons in the Cappadocian sky. The take off place varies and it depends on the wind direction. Some very experienced pilots can fly "through" the rocks, as you can see in the photo. Although the pilot of the baloon I flew with, didn't try such risky things, I was proud to participate in a flight, having in the "driver's seat", the only woman pilot of Turkey.

The flight lasts about an hour and costs around 140-150 Euros. I 've heard that during high season, the price can reach to 200-250 Euros. I believe that if you arrange the flight directly from the flying companies the price can be lower, because tour operators and hotels, take some serious comission. My flight was arranged by a friend from Urgup (in greek, "Προκόπι"="Prokopi") and costed me "only" 110 Euros. It was worth every cent of it!

***MY TRIP TO CAPPADOCIA (THEME)***

Copyright © 2009 – Hercules Milas. The reproduction, publication, modification, transmission or exploitation of any work contained herein for any use, personal or commercial, without my prior written permission is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved.

leonorkuhn, antua, Dashab, PaulVDV, amazon, maximage, pauloog, vasilpro, syrus_persia, Longroute, bostankorkulugu, pasternak, adramad, Wanda1, niphredil76, asajernigan, axiotea, Didi, Hellas has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mesutilgim (36733) 2009-11-01 7:35

Hello dear Hercules
I've just received your regards through Korkut. Many many thanks.
This start is a perfect one, as there is a nice contrast between the soft surface of the balloon and the harshness of the rock formations.
Pov and layout are -as allways- perfect. Enriched with your good and usefull notes.
I'm waiting now eagerly your captures from Synassos, with it's unique story !!!
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

PS.I'm still in my summer house. We are sitting on the fireplace. Tonight I'll open a good red wine from my cellar and toast to your health !!

Glint (3042) 2009-11-01 7:45

Hello hercules,
beautifully taken shot showing us a fantastic and magical scene. Lovely warm light bathes rthe fairy chimneys. This is a place I must see. Thanks for showing this as I am about to show my husband.
regards,
Bev

Tweety (3368) 2009-11-01 7:47

Bonjour Hercules,
Une photo assez incroyable ! On a même peur que le ballon heurte le rocher. Une image impressionnante. Une lumière douce et agréable.
Christophe

posternpete (24) 2009-11-01 7:47

Hi Cretense,
I found this picture interesting for several reasons.
First, the thought of going through those rocks in a balloon made me wince. Although the balloon at a greater height would have detracted from the whole.
Second, is that some type of shrine cut into that pinnacle of rock?
Weird!
A good composition.
Peter

hardyuno (2173) 2009-11-01 7:48

Hello Hercules,
it's a spectacular snapshot with great colours and contrasts. A very fine photowork, thank you and have a fine week
Hartmut

LOOOK13 (2806) 2009-11-01 7:56

Salut.
Belle photo , assez impréssionante, trés nette et trés claire.
On a peur pour les gens qui se trouvent dans la nacelle!
Bravo.

Jeppo (11872) 2009-11-01 8:12

ciao Hercules,

I am probably the only one who didn't such a baloon truip overthere....but I was really astonished by cappadocian landscape.
its magic and peculiarity make me compare it - and rank at the same level - to the southwestern American ones...

tfs
silvio

Rafer (4276) 2009-11-01 9:12

Fantástica y casi surreal imagen en ese paisaje tan característico y atractivo...saludos

sayeed_rahman (2269) 2009-11-01 9:41

This is some skilled maneuvering Hercules..how far is this from the rock edges..

I would think twice before making it through the rocks..

ooooh...i have an uneasy feeling about this brother..

tc

sayeed

leonorkuhn (13559) 2009-11-01 10:17

Hi Hercules,

As the balloon got there? Amazing capture, you're always in the best place. ;-)
Magnificent light, fantastic colors. GREAT!

Have a nice week
Leonor

holmertz (9612) 2009-11-01 11:00

Hello Hercules,
There are many pictures on TE of balloons over Cappadokia, but this one is spectacular. It is of course hard to tell from this angle the distances between the balloon and the rocks, but it certainly looks close. The contrast between the blue and white flying object and the grey/brown rocks is striking.
Regards,
Gert

npecanhuk (13809) 2009-11-01 11:03

Hello Hercules!
Quite interesting photograph! The visual results of the unique shapes of that turkish landscape and the shape and colors of that balloon, together with extremely nice light and colors, turned out to be a very attractive picture! I really enjoy it!
TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan

isabela_sor (42097) 2009-11-01 11:07 [Comment]

Show Comment

antua (470) 2009-11-01 11:07

Καλησπέρα Ηρακλή και καλό μήνα!

Πέτυχες μια πολύ όμορφη σκηνή και την αποτύπωσες εξαιρετικά! Οι υπέροχες γήινες αποχρώσεις δημιουργούν μια πολύ όμορφη αντίθεση με τα χρώματα του αερόστατου! Ιδανική οξύτητα και πολύ καλά επιλεγμένη γωνία λήψης! Πρέπει να είναι πολύ εντυπωσιακή η πτήση πάνω απο αυτό το υπέροχο μέρος! Συγχαρητήρια!

Χαιρετώ,
Αντώνης

Dyerco (9058) 2009-11-01 11:21

Hi Hercules
You couldn't have picked a better colour balloon for this shot. I had hoped to do something similar in Moab over Canyonlands National Park but as you could see from my last post the thunderstorms kept rolling through and the day I was scheduled to go was scrubbed.
Very nicely done.
Phil

Dashab (899) 2009-11-01 11:23

Hello Hercules,
Beautifully done, the balloon is kind of the opposite of the shape of the rock formation in front of it. Beautiful morning light and perfect colours, all that accompanied by an informative and helpful note, as usual. It's good to have you back!
Have a nice evening, Dasha
P.S. Thanks for Madrugada, it is a great discovery!

PaulVDV (5180) 2009-11-01 11:33

Hello Hercules,
The unique landscape of Capadocia is a miraculous natural wonder and well presented on this picture, also showing a different and spectacular way of travelling through the moonscape countryside.
Very nice contrast of the blue of the balloon with the grey and brown rocks.
Best regards, Paul

gilou530 (35156) 2009-11-01 11:59

salut hercules
un superbe photo de ces montagnes et de ce ballon, un peu engoissant tout de même passera ou passera-t-il pas dans ce passage étroit, magnifique image
amitiés
gilbert

amazon (10607) 2009-11-01 12:36

selam sevgili hercules,
korkut'tan selamını aldım,teşekkürler,
konya,kapadokya...bakalım sırada hangi şehir var?burada balonu görüntülediğin zamanlama çok iyi,bir şey soracağım;kapadokya'ya ilk gidişin mi?eğer ilkse ne hissettin?başka bir gezegene gitmiş gibi oldun mu?
selam ve sevgiler,
iffet

JT50 (734) 2009-11-01 13:21

Hi Hercules,
Very interesting capture.
Must be difficult manovering
the baloon through this
terrain. Great capture with
unusual colours.
Have a nice week.
Janak

maximage (13367) 2009-11-01 13:21

Hello hercules,
Image spectaculaire et originale!
Très bon travail, j'aime beaucoup.
Amitiés.
max

inca1901 (229) 2009-11-01 13:22

Hi Hercules,
Très belle image, tu étais au bon endroit et au bon moment.
Alain

julia74 (487) 2009-11-01 13:26

Hi
Beaux contrastes dans cette photo : entre la fragilité de la montgolfière et la dureté du rocher, entre les couleurs aussi !

bebbetto (2993) 2009-11-01 13:47

HI Hercules
funny and unusual this airborne shot.
Splendid colour contrast and great POV.
CIAo

pauloog (6467) 2009-11-01 14:03

Hello Hercules,
A spectacular photo and an experience not for the fainthearted. And a good photo too with these contrasts of colours and forms in warm colours.
Regards,
Paul

stefanocer (10404) 2009-11-01 14:36

Impressive capture for this fly through the rocks Hercules , great place and light , many compliments .
Stefano.

coco (27820) 2009-11-01 14:37

Kalispera Hercules.

Seguro que fue mucho mejor y más emocionante que mis vuelos.
El momento y la composición son geniales. Y los colores y la composción se merece un gran sonrisa.

Ta leme, file mou.

batalay (20882) 2009-11-01 14:54

Hello Dear Hercules,

This has to be the most dramatic shot of all from Cappadokia, with a hot air balloon rising between the troglodytes. The appearance of the canine toothlike cone looks a bit hazardous for the balloons here, but they must know what they are doing. A first rate composition, with spectacular colors and textures.

Warm regards and have a good week,

Bulent

vasilpro (8644) 2009-11-01 14:54

Γεια σου Ηρακλή,
Εξαιρετική λήψη και σύνθεση, όμορφη πτήση, καταπληκτικό το τοπίο , πολύ καλή εστίαση και το βάθος πεδίου, πολύ καλός φωτισμός και χρώματα.
Καλό σου βράδυ, Βασίλης.

gneufeld (15169) 2009-11-01 17:56

Hi Hercules,
This is amazing - spectacular visual excitement here in vivid living colors. I hear you - something to experience for sure. Well done and TFS. Gerald

syrus_persia (2164) 2009-11-01 21:09

Salam Hercules
Beautiful colours,excellent light and
details.Regards.
Mamnooon
cyrus

bema (8709) 2009-11-01 22:39

Kalimera again Hercules,

i didn´t believe my eyes, looking at this extreme-capture, must sur be a crazy pilot, or a very good one, most of all both together..
about the picture: nothing more to say than : "Fantastic"!

have a nice day, Jassu Bernd

delkoo (34274) 2009-11-01 23:33

iassou hercules,
you were there at the right moment to get this surprising scene, the balloon seemed stuck between the rocks.

nicely made
didier

Longroute (9295) 2009-11-02 0:46

So you went back to Turkey, eh? That's why you were absent from TE...
And you came back with a fantastic composition showing one of the best places in turkey togeter with this very photogenic balloon! I was wondering how you could take such a picture when I read your note and learnt you were actually on the balloon! what an experience! And what marvellous photos you should have shot! Did you bring with you enough memory cards?
In a situation like that I would have been out of my mind!
An excellent shot, very much up you standard!
My best compliments,
Donato

tober (3946) 2009-11-02 1:09

Oooowwww. I do not exagerate but that's one of the most original photos of Göreme (Cappadokia) that I have ever seen. The baloon looks very very shy and fragile in the middle of the rocky area. It's one of my dreams to have such a 1 hour of sailing. The prices look tolerable considering that you will have an unforgettable trip which will last for years in your memory. Congratulations Hercules ! Tolga

ymrk (8669) 2009-11-02 1:44

Kalimerhaba!
you'd wonderfully seen it!The colors are very eye catching.And of course if it vertical capture had professionally thought.Congratulations!

Yağmur

chrkont (3629) 2009-11-02 1:47

Γεια σου Ηρακλή
Κάθε φορά με ξαφνιάζεις (ευχάριστα). Μας ταξιδεύεις ψηλά αυτή την φορά. Ζηλεύω το ταξίδι σου στα υπέροχα αυτά μέρη
Χαιρετώ
Χρήστος

TGULUMSER (12512) 2009-11-02 2:06

Hello Hercules,
A great timing, a fascinating view. The colors and the light are amazing,
Best regards,
Tulay

delpeoples (5964) 2009-11-02 2:59

Geia sou Hercules, what a photo. I can't whether it's the spectacular nature of ballooning or whether it's the danger that those jagged mountains pose that wins it for me. In combination, they result in a photo to be reckoned with. Fantastic and unique work Hercules, congratulations, Lisa

ChrisJ (70165) 2009-11-02 8:42

Hi Hercules

A stunning pov, with good sharpness and framing. The blue stiped hot air balloon contrasts well, against the reddish hued rocks. A striking capture of the balloon between the rocks, and aptly titled. Tfs!

bosskokoss (1750) 2009-11-02 8:48

Hello Herkules. Oryginal composition, ideal capture and very good sharpness. Regards Piotr.

bostankorkulugu (33522) 2009-11-02 12:12

the best baloon shot i ve seen from the region lately... the most innovative compo this is dead fish mou... i can hardly wait for the rest of them...

kibele66 (2910) 2009-11-02 13:42

Kalispera Hercules,
I bet you also drunk a glass of wine or champaigne at the end of the flight, did you?:))
Your POVs always teach us something new even about the best known and common places.
I liked the composition a lot, the stucked like balloon and the sharpness and color of the fairy chimney in the fore ground.
best regards
Sibel

jasmis (50298) 2009-11-02 22:28

Well, it looks dangerous... Splendid photo, no doubt.
Regards.

pasternak (13272) 2009-11-03 2:05

I think the pilot of this balloon was a brave man... and you have pressed the shutter at the right moment!

Cheers
A

guitianmiranda (3622) 2009-11-03 3:03

No way!!! Really impressive !!! Man, you where in the right place in the right moment, point for it.

Best regards.

adramad (3572) 2009-11-03 8:11

Hola Hercules.
Una bella y magica escena con el colorido globo en un paraje tan de ensueño, parece increible que el globo pueda pasar por entre los pinaculos. El calido color de atardecer confiere mayor encanto a la imagen.
Saludos.
Luis.

TopGeo (21737) 2009-11-03 9:05

Γειά σου Ηρακλή!
Πολύ ωραία εικόνα! η αίσθηση του αερόστατου και η επίσκεψη της Καπαδοκίας πιστεύω σαν εμπειρία διπλή και μεγάλη! Καλή καθαρή και αψεγάδιαστη σύλληψη
Επαινώ σε!
Γεώργιος

Wanda1 (10945) 2009-11-04 9:56

Hi Hercules,
A cute title... I like how the colourful balloon drifts through these amazing natural rock formations. Beautiful light and of course a great point of view.
Regards
Wanda

niphredil76 (686) 2009-11-05 1:51

Ciao Hercules,
without your excellent note I could believe only in a photomaontage!
Greta time and composition, beautiful dawn light and wonderful place to be!
TFS
Laura

asajernigan (14098) 2009-11-05 3:25

Hercules,
This is a fantastic shot! The balloon is well framed by the rock formations. The lighting and colors are great as is the photo's sharpness.
TFS,
Asa

axiotea (16075) 2009-11-10 7:17

Geia sou Hercules
It looks like you had a great trip and what you are showing us, is quite unusual...the balloon seems to be stuck in between the rocks...love the luminosity, contrasts, colors You could have titled this photo "5 weeks in a balloon" an adventure novel written by Jules Verne ;)
110 Euros was a pretty good deal ;))
Xe xereto
Marilyn

pablominto (40578) 2009-11-10 7:31

Hello Hercules,

Wow! That's a nice one!
Looks dangerous too, a scratch in the balloon and the guys are in trouble... I think?
The moment is well captured, fine details, I assume the photographer is in another balloon...

Greetings,
Pablo -

Didi (36074) 2009-11-11 8:02

Yassou Herculus
Fabulous decisive moment for taking this picture.
Great fascinating composition.
Very nice colour ambiance.
Best regards

Hellas (5123) 2009-11-12 1:55

Πλούσιο χρώμα και ευκρίνεια ενισχύουν την τρισδιάστατη απεικόνιση!
Καρτ-ποστάλ πραγματική!

Αξέχαστη εμπειρία, καταλαβαίνω. Η έγνοια πάντως για λήψεις, σίγουρα σε αποσπά από την απόλαυση αυτής καθ’ αυτής της ελεύθερης ενατένισης του τοπίου.

Το συν εναπόκειται στο τώρα, που μέσω των φωτογραφιών “ζεις” τις στιγμές του τότε. Και νοιώθεις υπέροχα!

Συγχαρητήρια, σε σένα και στην πιλότο σου!

Nana-S (602) 2009-11-18 6:57

god!
may this baloon stuck between the rocks?
it looks scary a bit

BG