Curtain Call
Balloon Festival.
Shot at a 400th shutter speed at a 5.6 F stop.
I think having the mind of an opportunist is real important in photography. You have to remain flexible and keen to capture a moment that passes you by easily and quickly. These balloons were inflating fast.... the two in the forground were almost ready to move out... two in the back inflating quickly. I noticed how things were moving along and grabbed the shot. The final crop was made in a program called Aperture so we have the curtain effect really well defined. I shot it low to high to give the impression they are as high as the mountains.... but actually, weren't even off the ground yet.
There were so many balloons.... so much going on... but over the years I've learned to realize that there is a shot in the making and one I'm just missing at all times!!! hahahaa... so I try to stay very aware.... keep an open mind and shoot on instinct.
Though I do not use much mastering, I do finalize the crop in Aperture. Now, there is a fantastic place for photographers to bring out the best aspect and balance of their images. It is a perfect first area to learn about in mastering photos.
As a side note..... the exposure here was a tough choice. I needed a sky... but didn't want to loose the balloons that were darker in the foreground. I wanted a perfect exposre on the far balloon too.... to really bring out the color.
I used aperture priority to assist me in my choices......
Just some thoughts. :)
Comments and faves
matuko amini, Dilip Muralidaran, Isa Mar, becky lou, and 59 other people added this photo to their favorites.
Ricardo Sá (70 months ago | reply)
Well done! ;)
Very nice shot!
[]'s
matuko amini (70 months ago | reply)
i love it don...wonderful composition!!
Buddha's Ghost (70 months ago | reply)
Quite a wonderful shot! Love the lighting.
jacq77 [deleted] (70 months ago | reply)
Fantastic frame. Beautiful colours..the details so crisp and sharp! Well done!
tifotter (70 months ago | reply)
Vacationing in Park City? That's a beautiful festival... early in the morning as I recall, but beautiful.
Sabinche (70 months ago | reply)
great!!! a very nice angle.
Dilip Muralidaran (70 months ago | reply)
fantastic shot, so many balloons. all of them contrasting and in the frame... don u got really lucky to get this on frame. great job on this !
Hot Flashes (70 months ago | reply)
Wonderful color and contrast! Well done!
Hot Flashes (70 months ago | reply)
You are my winner!
Please add this photo to
www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
Don Baird (70 months ago | reply)
Thanks Ricardo... :)
Don Baird (70 months ago | reply)
Hey Adrienne.... thanks so much. :)
Don Baird (70 months ago | reply)
Thanks Buddha. :)
Don Baird (70 months ago | reply)
Thanks Jacq....
Hey, thanks otter
Don Baird (70 months ago | reply)
Hi sabinche... thanks so much.
Hey Dilip... I appreciate your comment. thanks.
Don Baird (70 months ago | reply)
Thanks so much Flashes.... very much appreciated. :) :)
bulldog1 (70 months ago | reply)
You are my winner as well!
Thanks for adding this photo to
www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
Isa Mar (70 months ago | reply)
DonBaird you describe this image in perfection.
Before I saw your comment I thought the some as you.
For a long time I've been looking for a ballon photo that I enjoyed.
So I stop the seach. This one fills my hopes... ; )))))
ALEX GOOI (70 months ago | reply)
Excellant perspective and exposure
Winfried Neessen (70 months ago | reply)
Great shot Don! You are right, it really reminds me of a curtain :) The colors are very nice and I also like the light. Well Don(e)! :)
Tanya J Ogertschnig (70 months ago | reply)
Great Composition & Colour.
deu49097 (70 months ago | reply)
More than like it...love it. Just the perfect moment!
Don Baird (70 months ago | reply)
Thanks So much Isa.... great comment... wonderful thoughts.... thanks again.
Don Baird (70 months ago | reply)
Hey Alex.... thanks.... very much appreciated.
Don Baird (70 months ago | reply)
Hi Dooms! Thanks for your visit and great comment. I always appreciate seeing you drop by.
Don Baird (70 months ago | reply)
Thanks TJ!!! :)
Don Baird (70 months ago | reply)
Hi Deu..... thanks. Yeah, I couldn't believe my eyes as these balloons all lined up like this. You know, it happens very fast.... once they lift off.... they move right along... it's weird... cuz it looks slow... but when you need time to film them.... it's like you never have enough time. lol
jerikojosh (70 months ago | reply)
An incredibly original thought, well executed! This shot is a testiment to your awesome eye, and your constant persuit of an alternative vision. Perfection...pure and simple.
Please add this to www.flickr.com/groups/bigfave
Don Baird (70 months ago | reply)
Thanks Josh.... :)
Mary Savvidou ♥ (70 months ago | reply)
beautiful photo. great composition. the colours are really nice
Don Baird (70 months ago | reply)
Thanks lenia. I appreciate your visit and comment a lot. Take care.
welshlady (70 months ago | reply)
A very beautiful picture Don....the colour and stripes of the balloons and the gorgeous scenery peeping through.
Don Baird (70 months ago | reply)
Thanks welshlady. I was so lucky to be there at that moment. I was glancing down the lense.... at a balloon.... looked out for a second and saw these two balloons coming behind the front two.... the rest is history.... lol... only had time for two clicks before it was gone.... but at least one of the clicks worked out well.... this was the way it looked down the lense... I did not crop it at all. :)
vejo (70 months ago | reply)
really beautiful colours and great idea!
The World Through My Eyes
content of my character (70 months ago | reply)
stunning!
ChrisIrmo (70 months ago | reply)
Wow, I love the composition here! The balloons framing it on either side really make this shot great!
The World Through My Eyes
Predi (70 months ago | reply)
This pic makes me wanna... be there and watch these balloons in real ;-)
Kentuckiana (In & Out of Flickr) (70 months ago | reply)
This pic makes me wanna... be there and experience the colorful balloons myself
.:. Swinging Girl .:. (70 months ago | reply)
This pic makes me wanna... take a baloon ride myself!!
Ed Karjala (70 months ago | reply)
Yeah, this is outstanding. Composition doesn't get much more powerful than this. Also, really nice exposure control! Beautiful image.
andwat72 (70 months ago | reply)
Excellent shot, there's a load of hot air balloon groups that would love this!
The World Through My Eyes
Dreamer.~ (70 months ago | reply)
I went to one last June... fabulous~
Masters of Photography)
lawroberts (70 months ago | reply)
nice framing
Thumbs Up! from Flickr Smileys
Vít Hassan (70 months ago | reply)
Very nice composition,beautiful image!
(Love Photography)
Don Baird (70 months ago | reply)
Thank you all for the wonderful comments........ and most of all, thank you for your time and effort. It means a lot to me. :)
Helio Rocha (70 months ago | reply)
Lovely colors and smart composition.
(Love Photography)
burnt out Impurities (70 months ago | reply)
Thumbs Up! from Flickr Smileys
brilliant composition and colours =)
mscjwharton (70 months ago | reply)
What can I say. You succeeded
Thumbs Up! from Flickr Smileys
Vortexmind (70 months ago | reply)
Nice shapes!
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Seen in Love Photography (COMMENT ON THE 2 MOST RECENT PICS) (?)
Vortexmind (70 months ago | reply)
Thumbs Up! from Flickr Smileys
mousstique (70 months ago | reply)
Thumbs Up! from Flickr Smileys
