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behind the lens badge
cameraSLT-A35

settings Aperture f/6.3 ISO 100 Shutter 1/160 

upload_dateJul, 2014

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3327

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Awards

Contest Finalist in Show Balloons Photo Contest
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Contest Finalist in Balloons Photo Contest
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CharlesEDavid davidjprosser Tudorof diegoscaglione JoaoLavadinho billmartin_2615 ileanaandreagmezgavinoser +113
Superb Composition
marcobertazzoni rueysung marian13s trainman1 bobpaterson annahazlewood shreemathakrar +69
Absolute Masterpiece
Devanpayne snaps Sniperspawk9 Doloresallanson jamiehallphotography RUGladstone Ct-photography +25
Top Choice
carolinesimmons paaluglefisklund shelleymillercampbell TimMatthews160 genevievelaurin Unasphoto alarsen +23
Outstanding Creativity
Txilekoa darylchamlee GlenzDT Erol-antony JDavid toxictabasco Arvidz +8
Magnificent Capture
TGracie traceymcdonald Quade13 timbrown_2748 Take2Foto Albert-Serra-Photography TaylorRenay
All Star
tomroether marnie333 cynthiabroomfield cresia PhotographerGowshik sini grneyes
Superior Skill
lorenzoberardinetti cristjenlai countryside alanmccall georgejpatterson stageorges Inspire4More
Exceptional Contrast
PhilOlson6934
Great Find
franciscomartinfalcon

Emotions

Impressed
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Top Ranks

Show Balloons Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Show Balloons Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol 3Top 20 rank
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Aviation Photo ContestTop 30 rank
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My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol 2Top 10 rank week 2
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My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol 1Top 10 rank
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My Best Shot Photo Contest Vol 1Top 10 rank week 1
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Balloons Photo ContestTop 10 rank
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Skywards Photo ContestTop 10 rank
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Your Summer Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
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ViewBug Image of the Year Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 2
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PhotographyTalk Photo Contest Vol 4Top 30 rank
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PhotographyTalk Photo Contest Vol 4Top 20 rank week 1
High Contrast Photo ContestTop 10 rank
High Contrast Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1

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Behind The Lens

Location

The photo was taken on the way back from a night on Exmoor. I was able to photograph noctilucent clouds, an unusual phenomenon rarely seen in Devon, UK. Driving home I passed through Tiverton unaware the Tiverton Balloon Festival had just begun.

Time

It was probably 8 or 9 am in the morning at the time I was able to park up and take a few shots of the balloons just taking off. There were a good 15-20 just rising into the morning sky.

Lighting

The morning was bright and visibility was perfect which made taking the shot ideal.

Equipment

Camera: SLT-A35 using a 75-300 telephoto lens. Aperture: f/6.3 ISO: 100 Exposure: 1/160

Inspiration

As you could imagine seeing a sudden gathering of hot air balloons against a dramatic sky I was quick to park up and join others in capturing the event. The clouds and visibility inspired a perfect background.

Editing

I used Lightroom to adjust exposure to show the structure of the wispy clouds high up adding depth. Colour of the sky was slightly adjusted to make the balloons pop (not literally lol).

In my camera bag

Apart from my Sony a35, I have the odd filter lens and a tripod, I tend to use my eyes to look for the perfect composition. I carry 2 lenses with me, my kit lens and telephoto lens.

Feedback

I look for composition in a photo, even though this shot is simple you can't help your eyes get drawn to it. Always take your camera with you on all journeys when you can because you never know what surprises you could come across.

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