Posted by Doug Koepsel on February 28, 2012 at 12:05 AM
The Navajos held their second hot air balloon event at Monument Valley last weekend. The balloonists were able to launch Friday and Saturday mornings. Here are a few balloon and landscape shots from the weekend. Feel free to say what works and what doesn't for you.
#1 Up please.
(There are a couple of small spots in the balloon fabric that could be cloned out.)
Posted by Doug Koepsel on February 28, 2012 at 12:06 AM
#2 Below the Rain God
Posted by Doug Koepsel on February 28, 2012 at 12:08 AM
#3 Sand and Stone
Posted by Doug Koepsel on February 28, 2012 at 12:13 AM
#4 Dusty Light on the Sisters
High winds Saturday afternoon put lots of dust in the air, which allowed for some contrast between the light and shadow around the Three Sisters.
A greenish ring/halo in the sky was painted out; I assume this green ring was caused by the lens coating and shooting towards the sun.
Posted by Peter Coskun on February 28, 2012 at 6:25 AM
I really like #2 and #4. Great contrast of colors between balloons and sandstone. Would have loved to be up there at the time.
Posted by Morris McClung on February 28, 2012 at 9:09 AM
All of these are very well done. A great setting for the balloons. #4 is excellent! And, #3 looks like 2 kinds of leather next to each other. Cool.
Posted by Todd Caudle on February 28, 2012 at 10:00 AM
That one of Three Sisters (aka John Wayne Monument) is awesome!
Posted by Jack Brauer on February 28, 2012 at 11:08 AM
Posted by Doug Koepsel on February 28, 2012 at 11:38 AM
Thanks. With the last two, I was trying for something nontypical from MV. Of course I took the standard sunrise over the Mittens and last light on the Totem Pole.
The painting on Sisterly Light is still a little uneven and needs more work, as I detect banding in the sky.
Posted by Scott Fricke on February 28, 2012 at 2:10 PM
Very Cool! How many balloons were there?
I like that second shot with the balloon against the monolith, although I might be tempted to crop off 25% off the bottom so it's just the rock as the background. My favorite is the last one with the lift filtering through, very fine image.
Posted by John Mumaw on February 28, 2012 at 3:35 PM
I also like the balloon shots (esp. #2) and the last. Hope you can sort out the banding issues as that one is a keeper.
Posted by Jeff Hackett on March 1, 2012 at 5:41 PM
Of the balloon shots I like #2, that balloon really stands out. The Three Sisters image is very very cool. Nice stuff!
Posted by Bob Falcone on March 1, 2012 at 11:52 PM
Nice set Doug! If that's an annual event, I'm going to have to make plans for next year...
Posted by Doug Koepsel on March 2, 2012 at 9:56 AM
Scott, I saw about a dozen balloons at one time, but the Navajo website lists 20 pilots.
John, maybe the third try will be the charm on an even clone and paint job to rid the bands.
Bob, this was the second year for the balloon event. Hopefully they will continue.
Discussion
14 replies#1 Up please.
(There are a couple of small spots in the balloon fabric that could be cloned out.)
High winds Saturday afternoon put lots of dust in the air, which allowed for some contrast between the light and shadow around the Three Sisters.
A greenish ring/halo in the sky was painted out; I assume this green ring was caused by the lens coating and shooting towards the sun.
The painting on Sisterly Light is still a little uneven and needs more work, as I detect banding in the sky.
I like that second shot with the balloon against the monolith, although I might be tempted to crop off 25% off the bottom so it's just the rock as the background. My favorite is the last one with the lift filtering through, very fine image.
John, maybe the third try will be the charm on an even clone and paint job to rid the bands.
Bob, this was the second year for the balloon event. Hopefully they will continue.