Hot Air Balloon 9-25-2017

Evening balloon rallies always draw massive crowds as golden hour rolls across the launch field. Catching the balloons just as the sun touches the horizon gives you great lighting across the nylon and ground crews. I set my position back on the open grass to include the gathering crowd and parked cars. This shot was taken at the 2017 Adirondack Balloon Festival .

The composition centers on a towering yellow, orange, and red checkered balloon catching direct low-angle sunset rays. Other colorful envelopes flank the sides, while spectators gather across the grassy field below. Warm backlighting cuts under the balloon basket, contrasting cleanly against the darkening tree line and wide evening sky.