October in Albuquerque can only mean one thing - Ballon Fiesta is here! The challenge for me, and for any photographer I think, is how to uniquely photograph the “most photographed event in the world”, especially after coming to the Fiesta year after year. I like to think I get something special every time, and there’s always something to be said for the classic balloon-filled-sky photo. The first day , unfortunately, only a few of the balloons actually launched due to fog, making a second trip the following weekend a mandatory activity. Despite the lack of a mass ascension however, the first day fog, dramatic morning light, and billowing sheets of nylon from deflating balloons still yielded a plethora of great photos.
The sun begins to rise over the Sandia mountains as the Balloon Fiesta balloon lights up
Crowds flock to the few balloons inflating while watching the dawn patrol take off
Waiting to see if the fog will clear. Most balloons ended up using most of their propane staying inflated, so even when the fog lifted they didn’t have enough fuel to fly
Half the fun of of the fiesta is all the things that look like balloons
A few of the balloons braved the fog that morning
One of the few balloons that took flight floats through the fog
Visitors walk though the canyons of slowly deflating balloons
A crew member’s arm sticks out from the nylon as they begin packing up from an unsuccessful launch
One of the last images I took this day. Not exactly specific to the Balloon First, but the yellow rain jackets and red balloons reminded me of scenes from the move ‘IT’. Not sure if that was their intention, or just a coincidence, but either way I figured it was photo worthy