Cpjnt

IMG_9623

Reno hot air balloons

Reno hot air balloons
Read less

Jul, 2015

Views

101

Likes

+14

Awards

People's Choice in Balloons!!! Photo Challenge

Peer Award

Top Choice

Outstanding Creativity

Absolute Masterpiece

Superb Composition

Submitted to Photo Contests

Behind The Lens

Location

The Great Reno Balloon Race is a hot-air balloon race held each September in Reno, Nevada. The event is held at the Rancho San Rafael Park, just west of the University of Nevada, Reno. In addition to seeing over 100 Hot Air Balloons you can view an early morning "Glow Show" before sunrise, followed by the "Dawn Patrol" (balloons launched before the sun rises, and finally 100 or more balloons rising into the sky in the early morning.You are free to walk around the grounds watching the balloons fill and prepare for takeoff. The photo only displays typical hot air balloons but there are dozens of "specialty" balloons in varying sizes and shapes.

Time

This photo was taken as the balloons were being filled and preparing for launch.

Lighting

The photo was taken on a clear morning with full sun to my back and shinning directly at the balloons. Great shots of the Dawn Patrol can be achieved during the blue portion of sunrise as well as during the sunrise.

Equipment

Canon 40D on tripod with an EF-S55-250 mm lens. Focal length 250 mm, ISO 250, 1/500 sec at f/8.0.

Inspiration

I was on a rise above the main grounds where the balloons were being filled and when i saw this view I was amazed by the opportunity to fill the frame with the multiple colors being displayed. Fortunately this put above the thousands of attendees thus allowing the frame to take in just the balloons.

Editing

Yes, as I learned many years ago I shoot everything in RAW. White balance, tone adjustments, and sharpened.

In my camera bag

I always have in my bag a flashlight, headlamp, filters, remote control cord, off camera flash, spare batteries for both the camera and flash, cleaning cloth, small towel, extra memory cards, a couple of 1 gallon storage bags, and of course camera and lenses. The lens selection in the bag will depend on what I'm shooting but usually I have a 50 mm lens, 17-85 mm lens and a telephoto lens or 100 mm macro lens. A majority of the time I also have a tripod with me.

Feedback

In the case of this event you would have 3 days to take photos. In my case this was taken on the first day of my first time at the event. I did check out the area the afternoon before as we arrived at the event the following morning at 5:00 a.m. in order to get setup (this was a family outing). I happened to get a little lucky in that the spot we chose to sit ended up have a great view for this photo. As there can be over 100 balloons you have no idea what balloons will be where and as they set up in the dark it makes it hard to know what it will look like until the sun rises and they begin filling the balloons. On the second and third days the same balloons will typically be in the same area as the day before. Arrive early, prepare for cool weather, be willing to move around the park, be willing to stay several hours, and patients is necessary as you are there with 120K of your friends of all ages. I have gone 3 different years in the past 6 years and each year there is something new.

See more amazing photos, follow Cpjnt

Cpjnt

Cpjnt

IMG_9623

Reno hot air balloons

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow Cpjnt

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes. Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.