3/29/2012 9:02:41 PM

i really like your composition and the colours. nice shot

3/30/2012 5:24:39 AM

Thanks Dale. I think these folks take their balloons all over the place. I have seen photos and news stories of these events and I am certain that I recognize many of them from the event here. As far as I know, there are only a couple of balloons that are based in Reno.

Thank you Lisa. The most difficult thing for me in shooting the balloons is to come up with some kind of interesting comp. One of the reasons I don't go to this event often. Colors are of course always great because the subjects provide that.

3/30/2012 1:49:43 PM

Mike, I think this is a good POV and the color is great. Some of those balloons even look familiar to me! Colrs are great, too. Some years are good and other years aren't. I am hoping for a better year this coming Labor Day.

3/30/2012 7:07:10 PM

I like this as it is!! There are great colors and you have a great composition on this one.

3/30/2012 8:13:22 PM

I think you're right, Michael. The important component of what seems would be an easy shot is to get something more than just a picture of a balloon.

You've done great with this one. The way the detail of the experience communicated by the close up gets associated with all the other balloons makes this a compelling image to me.

Very nice color an detail in the near balloon. It might able to use a little more blue and a little less fall-off at the bottom in the sky.

3/30/2012 9:12:59 PM

Yes, excellent composition, Mike! I'm hoping the balloon festival happens here this year.

3/30/2012 9:21:31 PM

	Stephen's Suggestion © Michael J. Kelly mjkellyphotos.com Canon EOS 5D Mark ...

Thanks Jeff. Hope you get a chance to go to one as they are fun and beautiful. I have been to ours 10 or so times over the last 40 years.

3/31/2012 1:44:25 PM

Very nice comp and I love the colorful balloons as they set against the sky. Although, Stephens suggestion looks nice I prefer your original post. Both are nice, its just a personal preference.

4/1/2012 9:51:45 AM

mike this is a great shot. I think your POV is very nice especially since you don't have any water as spoken of. I really like the edit I like the blue sky being alittle more intense. great job!

4/1/2012 9:54:44 AM

An interesting POV with the framing of the little balloons by the one closest to you. I prefer the original post over the edits because the edits produced halos around the edges. I had never thought about how these people might travel all over the country to different balloon festivals. I think it would be an interesting documentary to study the history and current use of the hot air balloon. :~)

4/2/2012 4:31:46 AM

Love your title,14 ballons in one shot. The colors are beautiful and I do like the sky in your last post.

Empty sky and colorful ballons make for a stunning shot. Congrats

4/2/2012 6:53:12 PM

Love this Mike. I like the POV, it's a little different than most balloon picts. Those two small balloons in the upper right corner look like they're gonna bump into each other. :)

I prefer your original over the edit. I see the halo's Aimee mentioned and it just doesn't feel as bright.

4/3/2012 3:07:16 PM

Great image Mike..congrats on your Finalist!

5/1/2012 8:04:44 PM

Congrats, Mike!

5/1/2012 8:05:57 PM

Congratulations Mike. Love the shot.

5/1/2012 10:36:51 PM

Congratulations, Michael.

5/2/2012 6:41:37 AM

Michael - congrats on this unique Finalist. It's "uplifting"!

5/2/2012 7:05:24 AM

What an amazing Finalist Michael, big congrats!

jo ann c.

5/2/2012 8:16:42 AM

congratulation I knew this was going somewhere....LOL

5/2/2012 2:28:31 PM

Congrats on your lofty achievement Mike!!! :~) A very phine phinalist!

5/2/2012 5:14:11 PM

Congratulations way to go!!!

5/3/2012 2:47:02 AM

Great composition; the framing effect works well

5/3/2012 6:45:11 AM

Thank you all for your congratulations (even the puny ones) LOL.

Thanks for the comment Judges - it means a lot especially knowing your tough schedule.

5/3/2012 10:15:20 AM

What the...??
How can I be the first one to congratulate you for your Second Place Win, Mike? CONGRATULATIONS! Well earned!

I wish people would slow down in scanning the gold winners, instead of throwing "Congrats!" and nothing more at all the photos. That way, they might actually discover your unique take on the race ~ you're riding high with the rest of the balloons. Very cool capture!
(Hope that helps to make up for the "puny" Congrats.)

5/5/2012 3:25:05 AM

Congrats on your gold Jeff....whoohoooo! Now who's phlyin high? :~)

5/5/2012 4:41:18 AM

Congrats on the winner Mike. Cool.

5/5/2012 7:58:47 AM

Thank you so much for the nice comment Mary! I so appreciate those that take the time to leave a thoughtful comment as I know they took the time to look.

Thanks Aimee - flying high for sure.

Thank you Dale - I have not had one turn gold for several months - most appreciated.

5/5/2012 5:25:38 PM

whoohoooooo! is right congratulation on the gold. this truely a great capture

5/6/2012 11:44:58 AM

Thanks so much Rita. I like shooting these balloons but it is so hard to find a decent comp. Got lucky with this one.

5/6/2012 12:05:59 PM

Congratulations Mike!! :)

5/6/2012 3:38:15 PM

Well here we are, through thick and thin. It is a joy to be able to be supportive and to congratulate each other for another month of magnificent photographs during May, 2012. I send all of you my very best, Merna Nobile

5/10/2012 7:08:33 PM

I seem to recall a pond near the launch site, but that was years ago. Great POV and framming. Congratulations on scoring gold with this splendid capture Michael!

5/12/2012 4:32:38 PM