The Michigan Challenge Balloonfest takes place in Howell, Michigan and has been an annual event for the past 20 years. It's the State Championship for ballooning and over 50 ballons participate over a 3-day period in Livingston County. These images are of the Balloon Glow Saturday evening, June 27, 2004 and the corresponding carnival. There were thousands of families in attendance. Unfortunately, I was unable to make the early evening balloon launches from 18:00 hrs- 20:00 hrs and so these images are from 21:15 hrs to 21:51 hrs (9:15-9:51 PM). All were handheld and shot at 1/3 to 1/20 sec at ISO 64. In retrospect, I should have upped the shutter speed due to subject's movement and increased ISO to 200 or 400. Due to the extremely low light conditions aside from the short flame bursts for the balloon glow effect, most focusing was made manually, as were shutter speeds and aperture.
Thanks. No, I didn't use a tripod. Just photographed with the K-M A2. The anti-shake really helps for the slow shutterspeed shots. Would have been easier if I could have raised the ISO -- but that's not really a good option with this camera.
David Hurt
28-May-2005 16:51
These are VERY good shots! Did you use a tripod??
Thanks for sharing!
Guest
19-Nov-2004 04:03
Great capture of a very interesting event! Thanks for sharing :-)