Hot Air Ballon Ride at Dawn
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, Africa
“This photograph is the result of a rare moment where I was indeed in the right place at the right time. A moment when you see everything aligning for the perfect composition and you try to move as quickly as you can to get a single frame before it’s gone. Fortunately, I was able to do just that—make this single image. What you see in front of the camera doesn’t always translate to the final image, but this time it all came together. I was so relieved when I saw the final frame—the picture was just as I had envisioned. Here is a bit of the story of how I came to be in that moment.
When we arrived at our launch site before dawn, giant un-inflated balloons were strewn about the grass, waiting for crew members to finish their coffee.
Soon the sun would rise above the savanna of Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve.
The crew got to work using high powered fans to cold-inflate our balloon, then blasted the open cavity with propane burners, filling the fabric with hot air. Our grizzled Portuguese Captain invited us to climb into the basket, which lay on its side. We nestled into our compartment as the balloon filled with hot air, the basket righted itself, and very gently we left the ground.
The African landscape below us stretched to the horizon in every direction. The sky looked like a painting; it was magnificent, majestic, and spectacular.
When the burners were on it was loud and hot, but when they were off the silence was unsettling. We are so accustomed to hearing jet engines when we’re in the air. Higher and higher we rose without a fear of heights, taking in the peaceful beauty of having an entirely new perspective.
We were flying.
We watched other balloons in front of us as the sun came up.
We climbed as high as one would in a small plane, and then swooped down so low we felt as though we could touch the trees. In search of wildlife, we followed a river towards the Tanzania Kenya border where the Serengeti National Reserve meets the Maasai Mara.
Below were herds of Wildebeest and Zebra dotted across the yellow and green grass. Five ocher and moss striped balloons suddenly aligned in perfect composition, shining in the early morning sun.”
-Andrew Eccles
Reproduced Directly from the Original Negative or Digital Source.
About Andrew Eccles
After graduating from The Ontario College of Art in Toronto, Andrew moved to New York where he became first assistant to Annie Leibovitz, followed by brief stints working alongside Robert Mapplethorpe and Steven Meisel.
Before long Andrew was shooting covers and editorial assignments himself for an array of publications including Time, Vanity Fair, Esquire, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times Magazine.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater discovered Andrew’s photography in Dance Ink magazine which led to a 25-year collaboration. The book Ailey Ascending: A Portrait in Motion, featuring Andrew’s photographs, was published in 2008 accompanied by a traveling exhibition throughout the US.
American Photography named Andrew as one of the 100 Most Important People in the Industry. After spending most of his life in New York City, Andrew now resides in Joshua Tree, California, where between assignments he hikes in the Park and documents the desolate beauty of the High Desert.
Printing
Highly detailed, brightly colored, fine art prints made from the artists original prints and negatives, digitally remastered and printed on fine art paper for its ability to create a durable and bright color palette. It not only looks great, but is fade resistant for 200 years.
Framing
Using premium Italian hardwood, our frames are both durable and elegantly crafted to complement each artwork. Fitted with unbreakable Acrylate plexiglass and no mat, our framing ensures your art stands out. With custom options available for all sizes, we pay attention to every detail, from the materials used to the precision of assembly, ensuring your art is both protected and showcased to perfection.
Certificate of Authenticity
Each ATTA print includes a Certificate of Authenticity that is uniquely numbered and signed by the artist verifying your print as an authentic, limited-edition work. The Certificate of Authenticity is a document that certifies your limited edition print as a genuine ATTA artwork.
Hold on to your certificate of authenticity, as it increases the value of your limited edition print over time.
