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2020 Choice Award
Absolute Masterpiece
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Behind The Lens
Location
The photo was taken during the 2013 Great Reno Balloon Races in Reno, Nevada.Time
Approximately 7:00 amLighting
This shot occurred right after sunrise, but the light was much more diffused than normal due it being very smoky from nearby wildfires. It actually made the light more even throughout the photo.Equipment
This was shot with a Nikon D5100 and a Nikon 18-55mm kit lens.Inspiration
Balloon races are a photographer's dream. You get such an amazing depth of color and they typically occur at sunrise, thus giving the perfect lighting. I try and make it out every year with the hope that I'll get some great photos.Editing
Yes, more than I initially planned on. This photo was processed in Lightroom with some adjustments using Nik extensions. I wanted to make the "Balloon Man" really pop, so Photoshop was used to enlarge it and bring it to the foreground layer, while a Gaussian blur was applied to the background layer. The result was fun balloon that really stood out from the rest of the scene, so I went with it!In my camera bag
Nikon D5100 Nikon 35mm 1.8 Nikon 18-55mm kit lens Camera remote and small tripodFeedback
I'm probably too new to photography to be giving good advice, but there was some given to me that has really helped: when you see something you want to photograph, try and think exactly what it is about the image that you like and compose the shot to enhance whatever that is. Don't be afraid to crop out the rest.