2008 Plano (TX) Balloon Festival

Took my family out to watch one of the launches at the local annual balloon festival. We'd never gone to the actual festival, and found it to be quite a fun time. Seeing as it's only a mile from my house, I look forward to attending next year as well.

Taken with my 20D and 70-200 4L (non-IS). Unfortunately, a most of the balloons set off between us and the setting sun, so I was shooting right into the sun. I used some exposure blending from the RAW file to give some effect. I did catch a few others from the other side, though.

This is my first DSLR post here, so please be kind.

#1 and #3, wow! Just wow!

Some damn good images there!

That must be some sight to see IRL.

Very nice!

Unfortunately? These are the more dramatic shots! Learn from your "Bad luck"?

Awesome! Keep up the good work & welcome to the forum.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #6356931
Very nice! Unfortunately? These are the more dramatic shots! Learn from your "Bad luck"?

LOL, well ... better to be lucky than good sometimes. When I was taking the photos, I was a bit chagrined with what I was seeing through the viewfinder. I tried to expose for the balloons without completely blowing out the sky, hoping for the best in post. Shooting in RAW really saved me.

Thanks for the comments and the welcome everyone.

beautiful series...

thanks for sharing

Avi

Nice pics.!! I was wondering who else went..I went Saturday and was walking around with my Vivitar attached! ..if you happened to see me.

Nice series of compositions!

Very nice work. Colors and lighting are amazing.

Nice shots bro. I ended up going at the last minute and didn't have my camera with me.

DavidSR wrote in post #6357903
Nice pics.!! I was wondering who else went..I went Saturday and was walking around with my Vivitar attached! ..if you happened to see me.

Dunno, I saw only a handful of DSLR's around me. I was over on the side near the midway area (north?). There was quite a sea of humanity there.