Albuquerque Balloon Festival

[cntry]

This is my first time at the festival. I had no idea that 800 balloons could setup, fill and take off in about 2 hours!!
Anyway here 8 pics (it was very hard to pick just 8).
1.http://www.123az.com/images/balloon/Balloon-%2816%29.jpgThis is the crew that goes up in the dark to let the rest of the balloons know what the wind is doing.
2.http://www.123az.com/images/balloon/Balloon-%2824%29.jpgIt is very strange to be in an 80 acre field with thousands of people and hundreds of balloons setting up.
3.http://www.123az.com/images/balloon/Balloon-%2813%29.jpgThese people are very good at what they do.....
4.http://www.123az.com/images/balloon/Balloon-%2876%29.jpgThis is going on everywhere for about 50 acres.
5.http://www.123az.com/images/balloon/Balloon-%2883%29.jpgThere are people everywhere all trying to take pictures, kind of funny really.
6.http://www.123az.com/images/balloon/Balloon-%2889%29.jpgThe killer bee's these 2 balloons are conected together, was cool in flight.
7.http://www.123az.com/images/balloon/Balloon-%2894%29.jpgNot quite fully inflated.......
8.http://www.123az.com/images/balloon/Balloon-%2898%29.jpgThis was a very cool balloon.
Well I hope that wasn't to much. If you ever get a chance come to this event. Bring a killer telephoto lens (which I don't have) because when these lift off you have maybe 10 minutes and they are just dots.
Hope you enjoyed I know I did.
cntry

[cntry]

N/A

[Stealth_Fighter]

Look nice and I know what you mean. There are tons of them.

[Ricko of Fla]

Great shoots, wish I was there. We plan on going next Oct. How was it to get a room?

[Stealth_Fighter]

Rick, if your planning on next October, then I would reserve a room a few months ahead of time. Also, it depends on the hotel, because they do increase some rates during the balloon fiesta. I live down the street from the park, but a good place to stay is at Extended Stay Deluxe Albuquerque - Rio Rancho Blvd. Just minutes from the park and very easy to get to. Hope you can make it down next year, you will have a great time.


http://www.aibf.org/



http://www.extendedstayhotels.com/

Extended Stay Deluxe Albuquerque - Rio Rancho Blvd.
2221 Rio Rancho Blvd Hwy. 528
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
Telephone: (505) 892-7900
Fax: (505) 892-7999
ABR@extendedstay.com

[cntry]

Rick,
I live 3 hours away, I was there shot and home in 12 hours. Never stayed in alb so I can't really recomend a room, but the above sounds pretty good and do book early.

[cntry]

Heres another I shot raw and edited..........new to raw.

http://www.123az.com/images/balloon/Balloon-%2891%29.jpg

I've noticed alot of my raw images seemed to be out of focus, is there something I need to do to correct this?
Thanks,
cntry

[cntry]

anyone??