We had an affair!
A few weeks ago we went to Hudson, Wisconsin for the Hot Air Affair but I have put off messing with those photos. One reason is that I had over 700 photos to go through, I got it down to 107. Another reason is that they were all taken at night or early morning with poor lighting and I knew they would need some slight adjustments in Photoshop. Me and CS3 do not get along. I know there's plenty I could do there and plenty of tutorials out there (including Pioneer Woman) but I have no patience. I do my best to get the photo the way I like it in the camera but. . .
So, the only tweaking in these photos is some level adjustment and a slight tweak of the curves. I wish there was a photo program out there that I could just talk to. I could load the photo then say, "Make it perfect." and it would do whatever was needed to fix it. Until there is a program like that I guess I will just have to bug people (like my husband and sons) to do it for me help me or be satisfied with my tiny tweaks.
Back to the Affair, in the evening there was a parade where all the pilots showed off how hot they were. Or maybe it was how much power their balloon had. . .
The good thing about the flames is they would temporarily warm us as they went by.
Then the next morning it was time for take off. Before this event, I never knew how much work went into get these balloons aloft. The baskets were laid on their sides, the balloons were attached and unfurled. . .
and unrolled. . .
and stretched out.
Then a couple of people would hold open the opening and a big fan was placed there pushing air into the balloon.
These two are preparing to have the heat turned on to help upright them, while the third is just beginning to be unrolled. It was amazing to me how stacked on top of each other they were.
Here it goes, up, up, into a sitting position.
I almost forgot to mention there there is a rope tied to the top of the balloon and a person hanging onto that rope, helping control how the balloon goes up, I assume. It was funny to watch that person sliding across the snow.
The POW-MIA balloon took off first.
See ya guys!
There are so many pretty balloons, go on over to Hot Air Affair 2008 to see more.
Weird searches:
- Blog started puking - I have a feeling if my kids had been near my blog they could have made it puke.
- Things Missourians do - I don't know if they liked my thoughts on accents but I sure hope they got a laugh out of the "moose" in the back of the car.
- list of morbid photographers - Really? I'm on that list already? Wait a minute, I didn't even know there was a list!
These are great photos. It looks like a great time, especially if your a
photog. Now, if you ever find an easy application of Photoshop, let me
know. I stick with very, very basics.
GREAT shots! :)
I'm too chicken for that, but the pictures look great :)!
Beautiful photos. I especially like the POW/MIA shot that showed the
chained eagle so clearly.
Wow, I didn't know what went into set up either. I always see them from a
distance so it is hard to imagine just how big they are. The photos are
great and gave some perspective.
The close up with the flames going into the colorful balloon is my
favorite.
Terrific photos! I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who struggles
with sifting through the massive quantities of photos. My trial of
Elements 6 expired, so now I'm trying to decide whether to do a trial of
Creative Suite or just buy Elements. CS is out of the question at the
moment and I'm afraid I may fall in love with it and then never be
satisfied with Elements. I've got to do something, though. I am not
pleased with Corel Photo Album 6.
isn't that awesome? my hubby helped with one fall of 06 and was just
chipperony about it. he loves high places and such, and i'm a wimp. it was
dark when they were lighting up and getting ours going so i didnt get very
good pictures. they also did a glow at night and that was neat. my hubby
even got to do one of the drops, so he got to take a ride. he's thrilled.
i've be barfing. seriously...
I can appreciate the time it takes to work through so many photos to find
the ones you want to post, along with the time to run them through
Photoshop. Great images.
I love watching balloons! Just the thought of drifting over the landscape -
sigh.
we have a balloon stampede right around mothers day.
One year a balloonist let the hubby walk inside and shoot pictures from
inside out.
Hot air balloons are always photogenic. Great series of shots!
That is so neat! I love your photos. We have an event like that in the
summer... never seen them do it in the snow before. :)
What cool photos! Looks like a good time was had by all. I've always wanted
to go on a hot air balloon tour...then I remember how deathly afraid of
heights I am! Airplanes are fine...but anything that I don't feel
adequately secures me from falling out...that's an entirely different
story! Hope to one day get over this crazy fear. I imagine it's a real
rush!
I love hot air balloons! Sometimes I see them on my way to work in the
morning. Always brings a smile to my face.
Wow, just wow!! I did not know they could have a balloon fest in the dead
of winter. We always had one in our home town in Ohio every fall. Those
are just awesome pictures, as usual!! But BRRR, that had to have been
cold. Some things are worth it though, huh?
How cool is that?! I loved getting a glimpse of your hot air affair day.
About post-production on photos - I've heard Apple has come out with
Aperture and am wondering about giving it a try. I do very minor tweaking
on my photos and wonder if I could get a little more control than what's
available in iPhoto.
Great photos. Hot air balloons are so cool!
the balloons look so peaceful floating up & up!
Hi ~ I wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog but more so for the
advice you left on L^2's. Great shots of the balloons. We usually attend
the annual NJ balloon festival. We always have wonderful time. It should
be added to everyone, "at least once in my life", list.
Beautiful photos, lisa ... great color. Is Hudson near Hayward? Vacationed
at Lake Lac Courte where my cousin has a lovely cottage.
Hudson is on the border of Minnesota and Hayward is north of there, so
Hudson is closer to Hayward than where I live. :) But I'm thinking they're
about an hour apart or so. We vacationed in that area last summer and it's
beautiful up there! You must love going to the cottage. :)