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Balloon Bump
Balloon Bump
pmichaud


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Collection: January 2011
Camera: Canon EOS-30D
Lens: Canon EF 35-350mm f/3.5-5.6L USM
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Date: Oct 7, 2007
Galleries: Emotive, Action
Date Uploaded: Jan 29, 2011

Viewed: 305
Comments: 10
Favorites: 0

 This is probably not the maneuver the balloon pilot expected. The balloon started to drift up normally during the morning launch at the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, but got caught in a sudden breeze and drifted into other balloons filling up. You can see the pilot is giving it gas trying for more lift which presents a tense moment. Fortunately, the balloon he ran into collapsed just enough to provide a cushion without displacing the basket too much. Nothing caught fire, and the pilot was able to pull free and continue the lift.

This really isn't "photojournalism" because I have applied some filters, but nothing has been moved or added.

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AuthorThread
 01/30/2011 09:20:51 PM
Great capture, and interesting story. I'm glad nothing too serious eventuated. There was a balloon incident in Melbourne a few days ago. One was supposed to land on the beach, but dipped into the sea about 1.5 kilometers (nearly a mile) off shore. The passengers were rescued by police boat and the balloon towed to shore. A balloon ride is still something on my bucket list though.

Message edited by author 2011-01-30 21:27:23.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/30/2011 06:34:00 PM
Amazing story and an interesting capture to accompany it.. right place right time. Must have been a tense moment for that pilot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/30/2011 04:03:55 PM
nice catch.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/30/2011 10:52:05 AM
Very cool capture. The bottom portion of the shot looks sort of like a flower! (To me, at least!!)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/30/2011 10:23:05 AM
Cool textures. This is unexpected. I like the graphic quality of it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/30/2011 09:23:57 AM
Wow! Great shot! I've seen similar scenes but was never able to capture it the way you have. Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/29/2011 11:13:36 PM
I was there the year before this one. You were in the right position and ready when this happened. That's what I would call a "high pucker factor moment" for sure.
Ballooning is totally backward from flying in an airplane. You take off with the machine on fire, not knowing exactly where you are going or when you will be getting there, and usually land where there is no airport.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/29/2011 07:31:38 PM
Great perspective, Patsy.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/29/2011 06:56:44 PM
Wow! Looks dangerous for sure. Glad everything came out ok. What a fantastic catch on your part!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/29/2011 03:08:32 PM
hey patsy .. a dramatic moment caught to perfection .. !
i've often wondered what would happen if there was a sudden or strong breeze before the balloon is fully in the air ... would the basket be dragged along the ground .. would ppl be injured .. would things catch fire .. etc etc .. i'd never heard of such things so i'd thought they were very safe .. but after reading your story i'm not so sure ..!!
loving the processing you've done on your photo .. its a great image .. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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