NOTABLE NEIGHBOR : Free-floating photographer
Posted on Sunday, October 5, 2008
ROGERS — Sensory overload is a virtual certainty for professional photographer Tom Ewart as he shoots the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta this week in New Mexico.
His company, NWA Photography Inc., (and Ewart specifically ) was hired to snap the nine-day festival, a draw for some 650 balloons and 800, 000 enthusiasts and spectators from around the world. The affair, now in its 37 th year, is billed as the world’s largest balloon festival, the most-photographed event and the largest international gathering in the United States.
The 39-year-old has worked more than half his life in the business and has lofty expectations for the assignment in Albuquerque. He’ll have unrestricted access to all aspects of the festival, which includes the customary morning mass ascensions and nighttime balloon “glows” — when balloons are inflated and lit, but remain on the ground.
“Where else can you go and see so much color and so much pageantry ?” says Ewart, who’s seldom seen from behind his Nikon D 3. If his mug is not recognizable, his silhouette is. At 6-foot-4, he’s easily distinguishable in a crowd, whether he’s shooting a charity event, photographing sports or covering a visit from the president.
He caught his first hot-air balloon ride with “Chimply,” a rig piloted by James Bowman at last year’s Ozark Balloon Fest in Bentonville. The balloon, popular with kids, looks like a monkey breaking out from behind bars. Aviation has always intrigued him, and thus a new interest was airborne.
“It’s a totally unique experience,” he says. “Once you get up in the balloon, the balloon’s moving with the wind. It’s a completely calm experience.” He researched similar festivals on the Internet, spotted the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and zoomed in.
“I looked at what they had done on the Internet with photography and thought there was some synergy that was lacking,” Ewart says. Specifically, there was no easy way in which the public could purchase photos from the event, he said. NWA Photography Inc. was added to the roster of three professional outfits already hired. He left Friday for the event, which runs Saturday through Oct. 12. In 10 days, he is expected to shoot upward of 20, 000 to 25, 000 — and possibly as many as 50, 000 — images. “I just see so many possibilities,” he says. Notable Neighbor highlights the unusual accomplishments and contributions Northwest Arkansas residents make to the area. Suggestions can be e-mailed to cking@arkansasonline. com
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