Balloon Fiesta Background for ABQ Team Photo
I met the IWE team early in the morning of one of the last days of the 50th Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta to make team photos with the balloons as the background. As anyone who was in town the week of the 50th Balloon Fiesta knows, the weather was pretty terrible. So taking that into consideration, the fact that there was a mass ascension without rain was a win, even though skies were overcast. Despite that, I was still able to make the group photos IWE wanted and the balloons were not as far in the background as I expected either. With 25+ people in a group shot, it takes a bit of setting up in terms of lighting and then orientating everyone in the photo. Using a 3 light setup, which you can see in the BTS shot below, I was able to add some fill light and make the IWE team standout from the overcast skies. Thank you to Aime and everyone at IWE for getting up early, getting organized in front of the camera, and for choosing me as your photographer! Thanks also to Jessica for getting up early and assisting on this shoot making sure the 42” SoupBowl stayed in place.
Read MoreThe Special Shapes of the 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
There were a lot of new special shapes at the 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta! From animals, to a UFO, to some others not so easily identifiable, I share below my collection of photos of the special shapes as well as the masses of balloons in the air. This year I chose to bring just one lens, my Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM. At first this might sound like a very limited lens to shoot a very unlimited event. Sometimes I prefer this, especially when just shooting by myself, to let the lens dictate how I can frame things. I shot exclusively at f/1.2 as well. What do I look for when framing a hot air balloon shot? I really like to have no balloons over lap, and I do not like balloons half out of the edge of the frame. From there I like to have a focal balloon if there are more than one.
Read MoreBiking to balloons to break a 3 year jinx
My own Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta jinx was finally broken after a span stretching three years, and on opening day I was able to see the Grand Ascension. Fog, traffic, Covid, all thwarted plans the past three years, but finally some luck in 2021. I must say though, I did not feel the usual energy out in Balloon Fiesta Park on a not too cold morning. Maybe it was just me? This year also marked the first time I rode my bike to the event, which other than a 7.5 mile ride in the dark, was the best way by far to get there. It also resulted in being able to get photos of the balloons along and landing by the North Diversion Trail, a dedicated, paved cycling path that goes essentially parallel to I-25 directly from Balloon Fiesta Park all the way to I-40.
Read MoreMissed the real Balloon Fiesta two years running
For the second year in a row, the day we went to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, was the one day there was no mass ascension. This is actually the third time overall in a row trying to go to Balloon Fiesta that resulted in no access or no mass ascension. So I do not have a collection of spectacular photos showing a sky full of hot air balloons. What I can share at the detail shots from very first light, through day break. The one new special shape balloon I did get to see was of a Smurf, who I think is Jokey Smurf in particular.
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