Do you love photography when you travel? Then Cappadocia is the place to be. Here you can truly indulge yourself when it comes to capturing rugged landscapes, traditional dishes, former cave dwellings, hidden rock churches, stunning accommodations and of course the famous hot air balloons. For many visitors, the balloons are the biggest attraction. Not only to experience a sunrise flight, but also to photograph them. In this article, I’ll share the best spots to photograph hot air balloons and give you tips on equipment.
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Cappadocia is a unique place, not only for its breathtaking sights but also for the combination of photography and hot air balloons. Some people even travel to this photogenic region in Turkey specifically for a photoshoot. You can hire a local photographer in Cappadocia for a shoot with, for example, a vintage car or a herd of running horses. The most popular shoot is probably the one where women wear a colorful “flying” dress. Photographers can arrange everything: dresses with long flowing trains, horses, vintage cars and of course the most picturesque locations. Photoshoots can take place at any time of day, but most are done in the early morning when the hot air balloons fill the sky.
Best places to photograph hot air balloons
Most people reading this article will be more interested in photographing the balloons themselves than in booking a local photoshoot. If you plan to capture them in Cappadocia, you’ll need to know the most scenic spots. Below you’ll find some of the best places to photograph hot air balloons in Cappadocia, along with tips on camera gear.
From inside a hot air balloon
If you ask me, the best way to photograph other balloons is from a balloon ride itself. It’s amazing to see all those balloons around you. Nearby, far away, below you and even above you. Truly unforgettable! From inside a balloon you can shoot in every direction. You can go for silhouettes against the light or create beautiful frames with balloons in the background. Every shot turns out different and surprising. Be sure to bring at least two lenses if you’re taking a flight. A wide-angle lens is great for capturing many balloons in one frame, while a zoom lens is perfect for close-ups or isolating a single balloon.
From the hill behind Göreme
One of the most popular spots to watch the balloons take off is the hill behind Göreme. On Google Maps, this place is marked as Sunset/Sunrise/Balloons Highest View Point in Göreme (Gün Batımı ve Doğumu / Balon Seyir Noktası). From here, you have a beautiful panoramic view, overlooking both Göreme and the surrounding landscape. The downside is that it gets extremely crowded. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere while photographing, it’s better to look for a different spot.
Love Valley panoramic view
Another popular place to watch and photograph the balloons is Love Valley. On Google Maps, this spot is marked as Love Valley Panoramic View. Just like the hill in Göreme, it can get very busy here. However, the area is quite spacious, so with a little effort you can usually find quieter spots to take photos in peace. The great thing about this location is that the balloons often descend deep into the valley before rising again right above your head: amazing for photos! You also get the sunrise coming in beautifully from the side (to your right).
On the other side of Love Valley, I also notice people standing when I’m photographing in the morning. Many wonder if that might be a better place since you’ll have the sun at your back. But if you’re used to shooting with low sun, you’ll know that backlight or side light makes your images far more dynamic and interesting.
From a rooftop terrace in Göreme
The sunrise balloon shots taken from a rooftop terrace in Göreme are probably the most famous images of Cappadocia. You see them all over social media: sometimes with colorful dresses, sometimes without. The higher your accommodation in Göreme, the higher your rooftop terrace and the better your view. At least, for watching the balloons take off. Once the balloons start floating over the town, it doesn’t matter as much whether you’re on a higher or lower terrace, the views are magical either way.
From the narrow streets of Göreme
Wandering through the narrow streets of Göreme with your camera can be even more fun than staying on a rooftop terrace. Especially at sunrise, I find this one of the most enjoyable things to do. You can capture surprising shots when you include walls, gates, greenery or other details in your frame. Use a wide aperture to make your photos more striking. The more reach your lens has, the more impact a wide aperture will create. Isn’t it wonderful when an image sparks imagination, making you wonder what exactly you’re looking at? I absolutely love that!
From Uçhisar
Uçhisar is a small town on the hill above Göreme, best known for Uçhisar Castle. You’ll find several luxury accommodations in Uçhisar and it’s much quieter than Göreme. If you stay overnight in Uçhisar, you’ll be in the perfect spot to photograph the balloons rising in the morning. Especially if wide-angle shots are your favorite style!
Camera lenses I use in Cappadocia
In Cappadocia, you’ll want to be prepared for every kind of shot. To get the most out of your camera, it’s best to bring both a wide-angle lens and a zoom (telephoto) lens. During my trip to Cappadocia, I mostly used the 50–140mm f/2.8 and the 16–55mm f/2.8, both from Fujifilm. This gave me a great range and plenty of creative options with depth of field. Inside the hot air balloon, I prefer not to change lenses. That’s why I brought my Fujifilm X-H2S with the 50–140mm f/2.8, as well as my compact Fujifilm X100F with a built-in 23mm f/2.0 lens. I wore both cameras around my neck so I could switch quickly without hassle.
If you only have one camera body, you might want to bring a zoom lens with a large range. Sigma and Tamron both offer several all-in-one zoom lenses. These are perfect for travel because you don’t need to switch lenses yet still have plenty of flexibility. The downside of such superzooms is that you have to compromise a little. They tend to be less bright and the image quality won’t match that of lenses with a smaller range or prime lenses. On the plus side, most modern lenses now come with weatherproof sealing, which protects against splashes and dust. Perfect if you decide to join a Jeep tour in Cappadocia!
