Balloons in the Gorge, a photo from New Mexico, West

Photographer's Note

Hot Air Ballooning over the Rio Grande Gorge
Taos, New Mexico

The Rio Grande starts in southern colorado, winds through New Mexico, and then forms the boarder between Texas and Mexico. The gorge, just west of Taos, NM is neaerly 800 feet deep. It is a popular area for rafting, taking dips in the "clothing optional" hot springs, and of course hot air ballooning.

The small bridge over the river in the image is the John Dunn Bridge, named after an interesting character in New Mexico's history. He apparently was a fugative from Texas who bought the bridge in the 1890s with money made from gambling. It had to be rebuilt a couple of times due to flooding, but Dunn made a considrable profit on the bridge by charging $1.00 to cross (for a profit of up to $250 a day). He also had built a hotel at the site (which is no longer standing) and operated a stage coach business through this area. An interesting story about him can be found here.

The closer balloon in the bottom of the image is the other balloon in my previous posts that we went up with. The balloon in the distance took off from another area near by. Photo was difficult due to movement and the bright sun (and dark shadows), so suggestions will be welcome.

maltese, gabse, gpeler oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

maltese (22907) 2007-06-10 17:39

Hello Amber
Une belle vue aérienne des ces ballons au dessus du Rio grande. Il sont bien placé pour former un diagonale. Ce vol dans ces gorges doit ętre superbe.
Trsč belle réalisation, amicalement
Hervé

jmcl (14535) 2007-06-14 19:23

Hi Amber,

I like this balloon series .. they have a very nice sense of the vastness of the universe and the smallness of us. I really love the wildness of this scene .. the way the balloons seem to follow the river .. I wish the shadows were a bit less heavy .. but it is a gorge .. very nice.

take care,

John

gabse (379) 2007-08-03 6:34

I can tell you are a hot air balloon lover too. I love the POV of this picture and the composition. Like you mentioned, with the sun being so strong I guess there wasn't much you could've done to balance the dark and the bright spots of the picture. The dark came out ok, but the bright, a little too bright. In my opinion, in these cases, I would rather have the picture a little darker, less exposure.

gpeler (232) 2007-09-28 6:39

Hello Amber,
This looks perfect. I wish I were there;) I like the POV it has a nice comp.
Congratulations.
Gamze

kmarscher (2887) 2007-11-05 17:34

Your own critique is so true but that's the challenge. I tried a workshop to tone down the bright sun and replaced the white frame with a black one. I really like the shot and excitement of the moment.
Kathy

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