Cover photo created by LG @jayasimha78 using pictures captured at Great Reno Balloon Race.
I recently attended Great Reno Balloon Race, in fact on the 10th September 2023. This is a largest free Balloon race in the USA. This is an annual event, this year was 40th Anniversary. It is generally held week after Labor day weekend. It is a 3 day event, held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Event is held in San Rafael County Park in Reno, Nevada. Event starts early in the morning, gates to the park open at 3.30AM in the morning. It attracts a large crowd. This is a great event to capture pictures and enjoy around 100 balloons going up in the sky.
Event starts with a Super Glow Show at 5AM in the morning. This is a before sun rise event. Event lasted for 30 mins. Here pilots of the Balloon use the burner to match the music played. It is really spectacular to watch.https://youtu.be/pa4TNzVJdNo
Here is a video snippet of the Super Glow show. You can notice pilots following the music played using the burner.
Here is a shot of several balloons during Super Glow show.
Super Glow show is followed by 40th Anniversary Dawn Patrol event. As you see here several Balloons lined up with their burners on, ready to go up in to sky. Effect in the dark is phenomenal.
The Balloons part of the Dawn Patrol go up in the sky and pilots play with the burner to create a show in the sky. During the event the large crowd were asked to use their mobile phone flash light to create a light effect on the ground.
Here is a shot of the balloon which was part of Dawn Patrol!
Once the Dawn Patrol is concluded, it is time for National Anthem, couple of balloons go up with US National Flag and Nevada State Flag. This is around 6.30AM when the sun rises. Even though we did not have a dramatic Sun rise that day, it still gives a great effect for taking pictures.
Here is Nevada State Balloon getting ready to go up with the flag.
Here are the Balloons getting ready with US Flag and Nevada Flag getting ready to go up after the National Anthem was performed.
Picture which captures Balloons with US Flag and Nevada Flag tied to the basket. You can also see large crowd participating in the event.
After National Anthem Mass ascension starts. You can wander around the field and watch so many different types and colorful getting ready to fly away
Here is bunch of balloons, where pilots inflating them using a large fan!
Cluster of Balloons, you can notice a Sushi balloon in the middle!
Here is a shot of colorful balloon up in the sky.
Shot of Sushi Ballloon!
Here is a shot of team of announcer, who give information to the crowd about the activities going on.
More colorful balloons with a hill in the background.
Is that a dog! Balloon which looks like a dog I guess.
Event gives you many different opportunities to experiment with composition of your pictures. Hope you like this composition!
I forgot the name of this Balloon! As you see there are several corporate sponsors are involved in the event. You can see their names on the Balloon.
The Dog again with several other Balloons
More and more Balloons take off in to the sky, which creates a spectacular view!
Here is a shot some more bunch of Balloons getting ready to take off.
Another experiment composition. I like this one!
Looks like there is a Cat Balloon in this group!
The park has a small pond, it is a great place to capture reflection of balloon in the sky. All pictures are captured using either on Nikon D850 and Nikon D750. I had 24-70mm on Nikon D850 and a 50-500mm on Nikon D750. Long lens is handy in these event, so that you can avoid walking back and forth many times in a large field.
Let me end the post with this interesting Balloon. If you know the name, comment below!
