The Captain and his Flying Machine
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Comment by DrAchoo:
A well deserved 6+.
The technicals: Focus is sharp. Composition is excellent. Conversion to B&W is also very well done. 6+ scores rarely lack in technicals.

The feel: I think the B&W conversion is both gutsy and a good move. We would normally think of going with the brilliant orange of the flame, but it really works here. My wife mentioned it felt like Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.

The game: I'm not sure how to improve this one. 0 scores of 1-3, that's awesome. I know 90th doesn't feel right, but 6.2 is a great score and this is a great shot.

The Captain and his Flying Machine
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Comment by smellyfish1002:
Very cool! I took a shot similar to this once, but it was on film and in color. Excellent capture! 9

The Captain and his Flying Machine
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Comment by dallasdux:
The heat vapors escaping from the side almost make it look as if this were some sort of balloon rising from beneath the water. I like it.

The Captain and his Flying Machine
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Comment by aussieannie:
this jumped right out at me, what a fantastic shot well done
10 for me

The Captain and his Flying Machine
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Comment by TheHummer:
I think colour would have worked better, picture just feels to black.

The Captain and his Flying Machine
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Comment by Tim:
very dramatic angle - interesting to see a b/w of what is traditionally a colour subject - and I love it - 9

The Captain and his Flying Machine
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Comment by posthumous:
best balloon photo ever. 9

The Captain and his Flying Machine
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Comment by heathen:
very nice, contrasty scene here

The Captain and his Flying Machine
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Comment by jrtodd:
I really want to see this in color, I think the balloon would look much better as well as the flame, but what̢۪s up with the sky? It looks brilliant in B&W.
The exposure is wonderful and I feel this was a bold move to submit in B&W, extra points 9

The Captain and his Flying Machine
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Comment by kano:
nice b&w; so often you see hot air balloons shot in colour, but this works wonderfully!