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The Albuquerque Balloon Festival is an awesome event. I had always heard this but it is really true. Mass ascension is one of the most awesome....
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The Albuquerque Balloon Festival is an awesome event. I had always heard this but it is really true. Mass ascension is one of the most awesome.
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Oct, 2015

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Awards

Zenith Award

Top Shot Award 22

Fall Award 2020

Absolute Masterpiece

+17

Top Choice

+16

Superb Composition

+15

Outstanding Creativity

Peer Award

Superior Skill

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Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

English style pub on Vancouver Island, BC. with outdoor patio.

While doing a flight to Chilliwack for pie, these clouds were hiding Mt. Baker in the USA

During a visit to the local bird sanctuary, I spotted this cedar waxwing enjoying his lunch of berries.

Thousands of cruise ships pass by this stretch of beach at Fort Lauderdale as they set off for exciting ventures in foreign lands.

Being present at Albuquerque brings many "Kodak" moments. It is awe-inspiring.

This was taken from the famous Stanley Park in Vancouver, across the water, to downtown Vancouver.

This aerial view of Mt. Baker with swirling clouds around its peaks was taken in the winter, on a gorgeous sunny day.

This horse represents an joint effort of the people of the Yukon to pull together to produce a sculpture by contributing metal articles, and you must

Driving through New York State in the fall, this colorful vista caught my attention

A drive in Death Valley National Park is a feast of colors due to the mineral rich soil and rocks.

This ridge is known as Red Cathedral and is taken at sunrise from Zabriskie Point.

In Death Valley National Park, there is Artists Drive which leads through a fantastic palette of mineral rich hills and rocks.

Snowy owls have a 7 year migration to southern BC to feast on voles on the dyke.

Near Parksville, BC, are these refreshing waterfalls just a few minutes walk from the road.

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken Oct 14, 2012 at the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Albuquerque, Mexico. I was yearning to see the festival and then my photographer friend invited me to come down and stay with her at festival time.

Time

This was taken at 9:58 am. On two different days, we got up very early, like 5 am, and went to see the morning launch. She said we had to dress warmly, almost as if we were going skiing, as it would be cold. We had long underwear under our jeans, two sweaters, ski gloves, warm jackets. Then as soon as the sun appears, you start removing layers.

Lighting

At this time, I was not experienced with my camera. However, the weather was CAVOK, which means ceiling and visibility OK. The brilliant blue sky was particularly picturesque for yellow balloons. The balloons drifted lazily upward and the scene was breathtaking.As long as not taking photos into the sun, the capture was easy.

Equipment

I have a Canon 7D and at that time, I had a 18-55 lens and a 100-400 mm zoom. I did use the big zoom and a tripod, no flash.

Inspiration

It was too much of a photo-op to miss. I wanted as many memories of this event as I could get. I had always heard that this event was awesome, photogenic, incredible, but when you are actually there, it is everything you have heard and more. This photo in particular showed the blue and yellow color scheme splendidly.

Editing

I only did basic post-processing, partly because it didn't need much processing and partly because I was not skilled at post-processing.

In my camera bag

At the time, I carried my camera body, and the two lens mentioned - an 18-55 kit lens and a 100-400 zoom, plus a tripod. Now I have a 24-105 lens that I am particularly fond of which is great for aerial photography which I do a lot of. For aerial photography, I only have the 24-105 lens because it is impossible to use the large zoom or a tripod in a small aircraft. For aerial, I try to wear black clothing, black gloves, and a black cloth to cover the yoke in order to minimize reflections which are a problem in aerial photography.

Feedback

The Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon festival is an event not to be missed. I recommend getting up early, dressing warmly, and being there while it is still dark. Then as daylight breaks, and the balloons are launched, there are hundreds of opportunities to get photos of individual balloons or the mass ascension. Look in all directions as something spectacular may be happening behind you. Use your tripod. Pack a bag or backpack for the layers of clothes that you will be gradually removing as the sun rises, for food and hot drinks (although there is food available onsite), and for camera equipment. The fireworks are another event not to be missed but brush up on techniques to use when shooting fireworks.

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irisheyes

irisheyes

Multi yellow balloons-2

The Albuquerque Balloon Festival is an awesome event. I had always heard this but it is really true. Mass ascension is one of the most awesome.... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow irisheyes

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The Albuquerque Balloon Festival is an awesome event. I had always heard this but it is really true. Mass ascension is one of the most awesome....
Read more

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Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.