If you’re up early enough – maybe walking with a coffee or watering the back garden – you’ll see see balloons floating serenely across the pinky-orange sky. You might even see a few passengers waving to you. We sent Melbourne photographer Dan Hocking for an early-morning flight to see what he could see. Broadsheet: Is this the first time you've taken photos from a hot-air balloon?

Dan Hocking: I’ve shot from a balloon before, just a couple of months ago, but it was a little different. The winds dictate where you go to a large degree, so on that day, we took off from around South Yarra and travelled north-west over the Docklands and shipyards which was really interesting. For the most recent flight we headed east and passed over the CBD, which is what I was hoping for. Conditions were perfect that morning. BS: What do you like about shooting from that perspective? DH: Any chance I have to get a new perspective on Melbourne is a welcome one. I’m always trying to get a different angle on things, particularly buildings around the CBD, but there are only so many high-rise car parks you can find before you’re chasing something different, so shooting straight down is a welcome change.