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Alex_Petrini


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Balloon II (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Nikon D7000
Lens: Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
Location: Pineto, Italy
Date: Dec 11, 2011
Galleries: Portraiture, Seascapes
Date Uploaded: Dec 13, 2011

 Thank you all guys for your comments and votes.

I'm very happy to get a ribbon during the WPL conference final. My teammates helped me so much in picking the right image.

As usual I love to explain how this shot was born: I planned the shooting session on Sunday morning at dawn. First I called a model (the same of my Day & Night shot) and I searched for helium-inflated balloons. I went to a toy shop on Friday and ordered 10 red balloons for the late afternoon of Saturday (otherwise the balloons could deflate). Then I called an assistant, Marco, my nephew (I'm a young and funny uncle ^_-). My idea was using a small ladder I wanted to place under the water surface to convey the idea of a person walking on water. I talked with my friend Ugo and he said he had a chair without back - that was perfect for my idea! I woke up at 6 in the morning and turned on the phone: well, there was a message from my model who said she couldn't come because she was sick. Oh my God, the world seemed falling on me. I spent money for unuseful balloons, woke up early in the morning and above all I couldn't contribute to my team. But my nephew had already left his house to reach me so I had to invent something. While my wife was sleeping I began searching for shirts and jeans and scarves and so on. I rarely like to be model for my shots especially when planned something different.

When we reached the sea the situation was REALLY hard. A lot of wind and the chair kept falling because the waves were too strong. I used boots to go into the water, but in 5 seconds they were full of water. Even if here is not Iceland, it's December and it's NOT hot!

But I wanted to try it for my team!

I found a wooden crate on the beach and I used it. The result was awful. The waves were too strong, no way to get a decent shot. I was really cold, I had been in the water for at least 15 minutes and my legs were red. In the meanwhile the sun was rising and I was wondering if a contre-jour shot was possible. I set the camera and asked Marco to hold the release botton in order to use continous shooting. After several tries (at least 50) I was tired (I have a problem at my right knee, so I couldn't go too far with that). I tried once again to shoot a different image while we were going back home, but it didn't satisfied me.

I was shivering and sure that I had got a bad cold.

We went to have breakfast and I bought a croissant for my wife who had just got up when I was back home.

I was pretty disappointed. I couldn't do what I planned.

I downloaded the shots on my computer and found a couple of images that were not too bad.

I began editing them and sent to my teammates. I liked my outtake more but they immediately said that the flying one was much better. I trust them so much that I had no doubts in submitting that one.

That's why I have to really thank my teammates and especially Dennis who was sure I was going to ribbon as soon as he has seen the photo.

Thank you guys: Dr.Confuser mitalapo
Tommy_Mac
Dennisheckman
RianBotes
gg3rd

Statistics
Place: 2 out of 68
Avg (all users): 7.2093
Avg (commenters): 8.5000
Avg (participants): 7.1250
Avg (non-participants): 7.2348
Views since voting: 6119
Views during voting: 404
Votes: 172
Comments: 32
Favorites: 2 (view)

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AuthorThread
 03/08/2012 07:02:16 PM
Now I want to play with balloons! Fantastic image!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/29/2011 03:38:47 PM
a huge congrats alex. this is an amazing shot and very deserving of the bling!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/22/2011 12:57:14 AM
Congrats on such outstanding image, Alex! That's the soul of an artist - even when things don't go as planned or all efforts seem in vain, they produce such a fine piece work...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2011 11:17:53 PM
very nice photograph. Congrats on the ribbon very well deserved.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2011 08:48:02 PM
I knew this would do well...Glad to see you got a ribbon....Congrats.!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2011 06:17:03 PM
LOVELY colors! Congrats on your ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2011 06:03:19 PM
Congratulations to you!!! Wonderful picture for sure...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2011 04:32:24 PM
This is brilliant. I love the colours...congrats on the red!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2011 02:11:54 PM
Great colors here and I really like the dramatic sky. Congrats on the ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2011 11:39:36 AM
Congrats on the ribbon,lovely stuff.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2011 09:33:16 AM
Another of my favorites! Congrats on your third place win!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2011 07:39:41 AM
Awesome shot Alessandro! Knew this would ribbon!!! Gooooo Long Shots!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2011 01:48:05 AM
Well done Alessandro, congrats on your ribbon :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2011 01:41:45 AM
Congrats Alessandro. Your hard work paid off.. next time place the model in quarentine and make sure she does not get sick before the shoot. I think you lost .5 because you are in the image ;)

Message edited by author 2011-12-21 01:42:13.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2011 01:33:59 AM
Big Congrats Alessandro! Excellent work once again.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2011 12:20:59 AM
Congrats, Alex. Love the light through the balloons
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2011 12:14:49 AM
Way to go, Alessandro! Terrific finish and recognition of your fine fine photo!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2011 12:09:14 AM
Congratulations, Alessandro. Great shot. I love the translucency of the balloons (and that fab background!)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/21/2011 12:02:35 AM
Congrats!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
12/19/2011 06:35:12 PM
Striking shot - the colour of the balloons adds nicely to this
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/19/2011 06:45:13 AM
i love the sky and the exuberance in this shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/18/2011 09:40:50 AM
Well thought out...... lovely result.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/17/2011 10:43:27 AM
Time to fly. Beautiful image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/16/2011 09:03:54 AM
WOW! This is fantastic image. Great creativity. Outstanding clarity, the colors pop in this one. Good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/15/2011 03:30:24 PM
Love it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/15/2011 12:14:28 PM
Well played
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/15/2011 10:35:52 AM
Neat image,in my top ten for sure.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/14/2011 04:19:34 PM
love the colors, composition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/14/2011 11:13:50 AM
Wonderful colors and timing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/14/2011 09:38:14 AM
love the colors in the picture! wonderful job! well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/14/2011 02:30:29 AM
Colors are FANTASTIC nice nice shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/14/2011 12:38:14 AM
I totally love the colors here... and the translucency of the balloons.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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