Whip It!

[Felicia]

Don't hold back!
http://lvcaiques.smugmug.com/photos/199479574-L-1.jpg

[jogle]

for me the cropping is a little off. Having the baloon so close to the bottom makes it look like it is falling or struggling to get up into the air.

maybe having it in the middle vertically and on the right 3rd like you have it:

http://ogle.smugmug.com/photos/199502918-M.jpg

[Felicia]

The original was cropped in camera so I don't have any original to add to the bottom. How about this new crop?
http://lvcaiques.smugmug.com/photos/199515064-L.jpg

[HarlanBear]

My 2 cents:
I like the new crop much better. Really gives the balloon some weight (is that suppose to be a joke:scratch ). Also with this comp, the clouds and sky come into play with much more appeal. For me, almost always better to get as much of the subject as possible. Unless there is another object or something, like the ground or a mountain for this image, to help perspective and add context. Which I think the clouds do to some degree.

I like what you've done with it. :thumb

[SloYerRoll]

Hi Felicia,

You said don't hold back, so I'll just give my thoughts.

Colors are washed out. (lacks pop (http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/2292454))
It's an orange baloon... And?
Looks like AF locked on the baloon. I think the shot would have more impact if the basket was in focus vs the front of the baloon.

crack.

-Jon

[k2butter]

Can you saturate the balloon a bit more, I would love to see it a bit oranger against the blue... I like the second crop much more... :)

Orange is my favorite color lately, so I really like this photo! ;)

[Felicia]

Okay, I've pumped up the saturation, vibrance, clarity and boosted the blacks a little. Does it help?
http://lvcaiques.smugmug.com/photos/200552586-L.jpg

[HarlanBear]

Works for me.
I think you've addressed the issues of washed out colors and contrast quite well. The balloon now has the definition it needed and more pop.

Nicely done!

[MarkTodd]

Looks like the OC Great Park! I was thinking of heading out there to shoot this as well. Did you go up for a ride?

[Felicia]

Looks like the OC Great Park! I was thinking of heading out there to shoot this as well. Did you go up for a ride?

Oh, yeah! We went up in it twice just today! I had to cut it short to put the little ones to nap. I got some shots of the balloon and gondola's shadows from the balloon. I'll post those on my Smugmug site in the next day or two.

[MarkTodd]

Oh, yeah! We went up in it twice just today! I had to cut it short to put the little ones to nap. I got some shots of the balloon and gondola's shadows from the balloon. I'll post those on my Smugmug site in the next day or two.

Looking forward to seeing them! :thumb

[Felicia]

Looking forward to seeing them! :thumb Some are up now here (http://lvcaiques.smugmug.com/gallery/3516630#198593194).

[Gary Glass]

I don't think you're there yet on post. I would push the curves even further. Something like this:

http://www.shutterglass.com/photos/201229855-L.jpg

[Felicia]

Okay, Gary. I messed with it some more. Here's what I got:
http://lvcaiques.smugmug.com/photos/202533312-L.jpg

Am I there, yet?

[Gary Glass]

Much better. Better than my version too.