This dragon greets all comers to the New Mexico Chinese Lantern Festival - Nikon D750 with Tamron 15-30mm @ f/4 1/60th ISO 800
Being a member of the ABQWest Chamber of Commerce has a lot of perks, one of which is getting invited to VIP sneak preview opening of events like the New Mexico Chinese Lantern Festival. This allowed Jessica and I to see the lanterns with a far smaller crowd around them than would be possible at a public night.
All the animals of the Chinese calendar are present at the Lantern Festival - Nikon D750 with Tamron 15-30m @ f/4 1/60th ISO 800
We were able to stroll around at our leisure getting what photos we wanted without having to wait for a crowd of people to move out of the way. I was of course fond of the tigers having been born in the year of the tiger myself!
A close-up look at the lights of the Chinese Lantern Festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico - Nikon D750 with Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D @ f/2 1/250th ISO 100
The lanterns were all very colorful and very vivid. Their coverings hid the lights well, but in the close-up above you can see how intricate glass tubes weave all around to create all the beautiful illuminated shapes.
Jess getting some puppy love at the Chinese Lantern Festival - Nikon D750 with Tamron 15-30mm @ f/4 1/60th ISO 800
I used the light from a friendly puppy lantern to light up Jessica in the shot above. Good puppy!