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Floating Lanterns
1st PlaceFloating Lanterns
Jovan


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Unusual Objects (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Date: May 25, 2009
Aperture: f/3.2
ISO: 3200
Shutter: 1/100
Galleries: Photojournalism, Children
Date Uploaded: May 31, 2009

 Okay, something funny is going on here, but I'll get to that later...

First off, thank you for the votes and all of the comments. Honestly, I never expected this. With a 6.6 I expected maybe top ten...but a Blue?

On Memorial Day in Honolulu they have the tradition of releasing thousands of Floating Lanterns into the ocean. I don't know the exact history behind it but this was the 10th anniversary of the ceremony.

We just moved to Hawaii last August. My wife had heard about this and suggested we go. I had no idea what to expect at all.

We arrived early and found a nice spot on the beach. About 30 min. before the ceremony started, people started crowding the edge of the water. There were so many people with SLRs, I felt like I was at a photographer's convection.

I decided to stay further back from the water and wait until they started releasing the lanterns. During this time, an old Hawaiian man next to us, in his 70's or 80's, collapsed into the sand. My wife called 911 and it was a good 10 minutes before paramedics arrived.

I don't know what happened to him but I hope he's okay. He was attending the ceremony all alone and I kept thinking that his wife must have passed away and he was attending it in memory of her.

Anyway, just as the light started fading, they released some 2,000 lanterns into the sea. I made my way up to the edge of the water and tried to get a few shots. It was difficult to get a good composition as it was so crowded.

I ended up knee deep in water when I saw these two boys playing and thought it would be a good shot. After taking a few I looked up and saw about 3 other people with SLRs photographing them too and I decided I'd stop.

I almost didn't enter this challenge but I figured I'd give it a try. I've always had a tough time deciding what pictures to submit. Usually pictures I like don't do well at all. I'm just glad I decided to give this one a shot! I'm shocked!

For post processing, I didn't do anything special. I just made your typical contrast, brightness, shadow, highlight recovery, white balance and sharpening adjustments - complete basic editing rules set.

Again, thank you!!!

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 109
Avg (all users): 6.6923
Avg (commenters): 8.7500
Avg (participants): 6.1500
Avg (non-participants): 6.9740
Views since voting: 6658
Views during voting: 273
Votes: 117
Comments: 25
Favorites: 22 (view)

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AuthorThread
 06/13/2009 01:36:59 PM
great shot on this. congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2009 10:15:30 PM
i went to this too! beautiful picture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/10/2009 01:22:44 PM
Beautiful image! and great story too!
Those kids are priceless too!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/08/2009 02:25:42 PM
congrats on your first ribbon, and a blue no-less. Really cool low light shot and a nice moment you've captured.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/08/2009 10:03:38 AM
Wow! How cool is THAT! I so love the human element you gave to this instead of just showing those amazing lanterns! Congratulations! This is a great choice for first prize :)

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/08/2009 08:32:24 AM
6.6 an a blue :)
Congratulation on your first Ribbon, I am sure you'll be having a grin on your face for the rest of the week :) very well done,
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/08/2009 07:57:03 AM
Gorgeous glow. Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/08/2009 04:37:29 AM
beautiful. looks like a real photograph (compared to, urm...)
anyway, what are those paper lanterns for? just curious.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/08/2009 03:13:33 AM
Cestitam!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/08/2009 01:49:55 AM
Simply beautiful, congrats on your fine placement.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/08/2009 01:11:05 AM
I think National Geographic will love your photo too. Congratulations on your blue ribbon!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/08/2009 12:24:50 AM
The glow of the lanterns is wonderful. Congrats on your ribbon with this beautiful image, Jon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/08/2009 12:18:28 AM
oh man! Give us the story! :) I love to hear backgrounds for shots like this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/08/2009 12:05:44 AM
Congrats on your first ribbon (but I'm sure it won't be the last!) :D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
06/07/2009 11:59:35 PM
very very nice,hope this ribbons
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/06/2009 12:44:38 PM
this to will be on the front page...excellent shot...really like the glow of the lanterns...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/05/2009 12:42:59 PM
very nice shot, like the angle allot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/03/2009 08:40:18 PM
This is incredible...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/03/2009 02:04:01 PM
The lighting on the kid's face is superb, making him (her?) glow like one of the lanterns. I guess you are hammered for the kid in the background, but don't pay attention. It is a great find and a great capture. (not voting)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/03/2009 08:11:54 AM
Classic shot. Great use of light.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/02/2009 05:33:47 PM
Lovely shot. Great dof, the tones are great and the capture of the children really adds to the overall feel
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/02/2009 07:49:42 AM
Very Nice!! Great lighting and detail enough to read the lanterns. Great shot!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/01/2009 06:44:54 PM
Very, very cool. The composition and lighting are spectacular. Great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/01/2009 02:29:24 PM
Perhaps not unusual to some, but not a common sight to others. And simply a gorgeous picture - wonderful use of light.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/01/2009 12:34:06 AM
what a beautiful shot. wow. i'd give this a 9 or 10 if i could vote
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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