There are many platforms for aerial photography: kites, hot air balloons, paragliders, helicopters, drones, jets, and spy planes. HABs stand out in a unique way: on the way up, a balloon visits the altitudes home to all of these platforms, then surpasses them, arriving at views of the planet that bridge the gap between conventional aerial photography and satellite imagery. The process is a novel combination of art, science, and adventure. The outcomes are a result of both careful planning and chance.
The pioneering efforts to further explore and develop this platform are ongoing. Few take it up due to the technical and artistic challenges, as well as the risk of lost or damaged equipment. HAB photography represents one of the last opportunities to explore a place from which new views of the world are still possible. The potential subject matter waiting to be documented for the first time from this singular vantage is nearly unlimited.