Color Temperature

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That's what makes the top picture from the balloon glow dramatic, IMHO. The leaden skies were at the other end of the range from the intense fires that brought the balloons to life. Still, I think the shots I converted to black and white have some drama, beyond just being exercises in light and shape. The people in the foreground of the bottom picture are lit with fill flash.

Balloon Glow

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The first part of The Great Forest Park Balloon Race, the balloon glow, took place last night. All the airships set up on a large athletic field and inflate while tethered to the ground. When an official sounds an air horn, they are all supposed to blast their burners, lighting up the night sky.

Photography conditions weren't so great. It was very crowded. When the horn sounded the balloons only lit up for 5 to 10 seconds, much more briefly than last year.. There was hardly time to compose, meter and focus shots. A few came out okay. Personally, I prefer the black and white one.

Sorry no comments yesterday. I was out late shooting. When I got home I downloaded, edited, wrote this and went to bed. Gotta get to work this morning.

Balloon Glow

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Don't let anybody tell you there's nothing to do in this town. This weekend's event is The Great Forest Park Balloon Race. The "hare and hounds" race is today. Actually, it's not a race at all. The hare balloon (that looks like the Energizer battery bunny, har har) takes off 15 minutes before the others. The winner is the chase balloon that lands nearest to the hare, all to the surprise of the neighborhood.

Last night was the traditional balloon glow. These are some of the better shots.