C&C On a photo before I enter it in a contest

Joel_W · May 23, 2012

I really like this composition. The blown out sky works because it compliments the hot air balloon, and helps us to really focus on the colorful balloon. The only improvement I can see is if you can clone out those cars just to the left of the balloon

Scuba · May 23, 2012

I really like this as well and wouldn't change a thing. Nice work and good luck. The blown out sky adds to this photo. I think this is a great example of how rules are not really rules but general guidelines and there are shots that break those "rules" that are fantastic.

Cheex · May 23, 2012

I'll definitely give you guys some details! It's the least I can do for all the positive comments you guys are dishing out.

To start, I blended 5 exposures in photomatix to attain partial color of the balloon only. I opened the base exposure in photoshop and masked in the photomatix balloon color as well as some of the sky. I didn't use very much of the HDR file at all.

I then used the Nik Photo Effects 3 filter "sunshine" to dial in on the more vibrant colors. It's what really brought this image to the next level. Here's a shot of what the picture looked like before the sunshine filter.