Highland Village Balloon Festival CHALLENGE!! (grand prize)

[Joe_Lorenzini]

I know it's a bit short notice but the annual Highland Village Balloon Festival is this coming weekend and what better time to throw out a challenge to all my forum photog friends!

So here's the deal...
- Visit the HVBF at any time during the 3 day period and shoot away.

- By Monday, August 21st midnight, email me (joe@lorenziniphotography.com) your SINGLE most favorite photo from the event.

- Starting Tuesday, August 22nd I'll create a post with poll so that all our fellow photogs can vote.

- Voting will last until Thursday, August 24th, midnight.

- By Friday, August 25th (if there is no tie) I will mail the winning photog a grand prize, brand new GorillaPod (http://www.joby.com/gp1.html).

Sooooo boys and girls... what do you think? Are YOU up for a challenge?!?

_/oe


Event Info:
What: The Highland Village Balloon Festival
http://www.hvballoonfest.org/

When: This Friday, Saturday and Sunday (August 18-20)
Visit the web site for a detailed schedule of events

Who can enter?: Any member of the Texas Photo Forum as of August 14, 2006.

Photos: The photo can be anything or anyone taken at this years HVBF. You may only enter one single photo. Multiple photo entries will be returned and or rejected (if not responded to by deadline).

Past shoots at the HVBF:
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ghland+balloon

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ghland+balloon

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ghland+balloon

[Joe_Lorenzini]

One more condition:

I need at least 6 entries for the challenge to be valid.

_/oe

[AlexMorse]

First I've heard of this event, and it's less than 15 minutes away! I'm going to try to attend and shoot. I'll be the bearded 20-something with the huge domke bag.

[ShutteredEye]

I'll be out there I think, had a blast last year!!

[puttingdog]

I think I'll take a shot....thanks for the info :-)

[ibixable]

I will be there as crew for one of the balloons I hope I have time to get some shots that are worthy of entry.

Cory

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Joe, I was already planning on going... so that's for making it more interesting!

- Wil

[David_3]

Sounds like fun, but unfortunately, I'm working Friday and Saturday. It's possible that I'll make it on Sunday, but then again, that 0700 lift off might be a little too early for me.

[Wes]

Heck, I'll be going just for the glow.

Any tips that anyone wants to share for shooting a balloon glow? High ISO? Low aperture? Etc., Etc,. Etc.

[Jim Victory]

What format and size do the submissions need to be in?

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by Jim Victory

What format and size do the submissions need to be in?

Thanks Jim.

600 wide for horizontal shots
OR
460 wide for vertical shots

No borders, signatures ok.

Normal post processing acceptable, obvious photoshoping is not.

_/oe

[lscottpht]

Thats very cool, Joe!!! I may have to head out there and try and get some shots!

[Joe_Lorenzini]

A shameless bump and an attempt to get in front of eyes that might have missed it.

The festival starts tomorrow night with the balloon glow at 7:45pm.

I'll be there.

[AndrewCCM]

So is a balloon glow just lighting them up on the ground or do they actually take off? It is sort of a trek up there for me...just wanting to know if that alone (on Fri) is worth the trip?
I know nothing about balloons.

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

So is a balloon glow just lighting them up on the ground or do they actually take off? It is sort of a trek up there for me...just wanting to know if that alone (on Fri) is worth the trip?
I know nothing about balloons.

To be honest, I don't know either. Last year it was to windy to go up or even hook up the balloons so they fired off the heaters in the baskets which was still very cool to see. Maybe someone else knows?

Either way, not sure it's worth the drive for this one. The Plano festival is coming up soon and that one has many more ballons than this one does so you might want to consider that.

I'll be there tonight with the kids and will try and take a few shots.

_/oe