Ballons over Celle

[Gigi71]

Those were taken on March 9th in my hometown, where every year the "Wasa-Lauf" (several routes which folks run) takes place. Also lots of preschool and school kids run the Mini-Wasa-Lauf, and with the start every child sends a ballon into the sky
Last year we had horrible weather, snow and cold wind, and it started just the night before. My son was there just to watch and he had such bad memories of it that he refused to take part this year. We persuaded him though, and the weather was exactly the opposite of that last year, about +22 degree Celsius, sunshine and not one cloud, quite summerly.

I don't know which one I prefer, the one with the gables or just sky and ballons? What do you think?

#1


#2

[Mike Buckley]

I would go with a square crop of the first one, created by keeping everything on the left side and letting the right side of the frame fall where it may.

[Brownbear]

I adore the image with just the balloons and the blue sky. Truly special. Beautiful, colourful and fun...

[Stagecoach]

You certainly captured these with some great lighting Brigitte. I can not pick a favourite, they both have an equal appeal to me.

Grahame

[Gigi71]

Sounds a good idea, Mike! Will give it a try

[flashback]

Photographically I prefer the first image; the buildings give the image a bit of context.

[Gigi71]

[Shadowman]

Nice.

[FootLoose]

Definitely the 1st one, Gigi (ie the cropped version just above). The buildings are needed to give the event a sense of scale. The 2nd shot with just the sky looks like the design on wrapping paper to me.

[Rita]

The square crop does it for me.

[IzzieK]

I like the first one, Gigi...It tells more of the story. I am with Greg here..the second one looks like a wrapping paper design...good for the wrapping paper but it had already been done...

[Mike Buckley]

Even though the last one is at my suggestion, I do have to mention that it is by far the strongest version for me.

[davidedric]

They are both good, and different. What I like about the second is that I can see little messages hanging from the balloons, and I wonder what they say.

[Donald]

Even though the last one is at my suggestion, I do have to mention that it is by far the strongest version for me.

That's why you are a very good photographer. You can 'see' the finished image.

Gorgeous picture, Brigitte. I think Mike was indeed correct in his suggestion.

[JR1]

Nice shots shame about the pollution

[Gigi71]

Hmm, wrapping paper... I think I see what you mean, but to me in this case could never come this interpretation, sure because there is a personal reference and story. I can think lots of pictures with quite a regular pattern can be seen as wrapping paper.
Dave, attentive eye, they link a competition to the run of the kids. They write down their names on cards with the information about the event and the balloons which fly the farthest (and which are replied) are the winners. I always have that idea that I want to send a message in a bottle one day!
Mr MacKenzie, thanks, Gregs idea indeed was simple and very good. I realise that I never think about square forms, now I will start with it, for this it works really.
Also thanks to all for sharing their thoughts.

[Quentin88]

I like the first shot cropped version, the buildings give a sense of dimensions and context, I like enspecially the green balloon in the foreground, it look like is flying from my hand.

[deetheturk]

The crop makes for a much better image Brigitte

David

[Brownbear]

Just to say that I think the square crop as suggested by Mike makes for a gorgeous image, and strongest, for all the reasons stated.

However, I still absolutely adore the image of just the balloons and sky simply because its fun, fantastical, and the colours are bright and happy. I think that it would be loved by a child, or a child at heart.

[bnnrcn]

I like cropped #1 and #2 both