Photo Contest
One Grand Prize Winner will be selected from all the categories
Pre-Event Requirements |
Entry Requirements |
Rules |
Photography Tips
Pre-Event Requirements and Information
Our Photo Contest is limited to a team of 80 photographers. Every participating photographer will receive special credentials that will not only grant them free entry to all three days of the Festival, but special access when appropriate. Proceeds from the contest will go to Flashes of Hope – a national volunteer-run organization created with the mission of photographing every child with cancer until every child is cured while also raising funds toward pediatric cancer research.
Step 1
A $20 donation to Flashes of Hope will serve as your entry fee. Due at one of the pre-event meetings.
Step 2
All contestants are REQUIRED to attend one of two pre-event meetings.
- The first pre-event meeting will be held at Antioch Park in Overland Park, KS, Saturday October 10th from 3-4 PM. The meeting will be located near the tennis courts.
- The second pre-event meeting option will be held at National WWI Memorial in Kansas City, MO on Sunday October 11th at 7PM. The meeting will be located near the lower south side entrance with the water feature.
- If you cannot attend either meeting, please contact at Selma@midwestballoonfest.org to make other arrangements.
- Please join the Facebook group for up to date info.
Entry Requirements
To be an eligible participant in the 2014 U.S. Bank Great Midwest Balloon Festival Photo Team and Contest, all photographers must enter a minimum of four separate images from the six categories listed below. Only one photo per category will be accepted. Categories include:
Balloon Glow
This is one of most spectacular of photo opportunities of all. Balloons will inflate on the balloon field both Friday and Saturday night after 6:30PM. As the sun begins to set, pilots will fire up their burners simultaneously, creating a field of glowing balloons.
Special Shapes
This category is a festival favorite. You’ll be amazed at variety of characters and shapes, especially this year with balloons like Haunted House, ScareCrow, Old Lady and the shoe, Purple People Eater, Come capture these special balloons and others as dot the beautiful Kansas landscape.
Mass Competitions
Competitions take place when the atmosphere is most stable – early in the morning. So if you are an early riser, this category may be for you. Pilots from all across the country will take to the skies Saturday morning at 6:30 a.m. for a Fly- In Competition and again on Sunday at 6:00 a.m. Competitions scheduled for 8am Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25 (weather permitting) for the Sunrise Competition.
Balloon in Scenic Environment
Capture the balloons in flight over the Heartland! Wheat fields, rolling hills, and the vast prairie – it will offer the perfect backdrop to your photos.
Events
Rules
- All entrants must be present at one of the two pre-competition meetings to review rules and receive credentials.
- Entries must be uploaded no later than Friday, October 30, 2015.
- Photos must be of the 2015 event and taken and owned by the entrant.
- All submitted photos will give the U.S. Bank Great Midwest Balloon Festival non-exclusive copyrights for any commercial, non-profit or editorial projects involving advertising, print media, web, web site publication, or broadcast for three years. Photo credit will be given if used. Any negatives or slides will remain the winner’s property.
- No digitally manipulated photos such as composites, over photo shop elements, adding elements to photos, color swapping, etc., will be accepted.
- Mild enhancements such as cropping, sharpening and color correction will be allowed.
- No drones will be permitted on the premises.
- Any Taxes applicable to the prizes are the sole responsibility of the winners.
Photography Tips
Move in Close
Create simpler, bolder pictures that are not cluttered with unwanted detail. Close-ups provide variety and add interest to pictures. Take the overall view, then a tight view, then some close-ups of the details.
Subject Placement in the Frame
Off-center placement of your subject creates a dynamic balance.
Watch the Background
Look for simple backgrounds to minimize distraction from the subject. Explore the variety of viewpoints available for your subject. A low angle, looking into the blue sky can produce a simple and pleasant background. Try a low angle when posing friends near a balloon.
Front Lighting
When the sun shines over your shoulder you'll capture the brightest and most saturated colors.
Side Lighting
When the light shines across the scene, the mix of light and shadow creates a realistic, 3D looking photograph with an excellent feeling for depth and texture.
The magic hour of twilight
Dawn or dusk create beautiful lighting opportunities where the warmth of "Balloon Glow" blends with velvet blue of muted skylight. Photographers call this "the jewel box effect". Twilight and night are low levels of light which require high speed ISO.
Lens Choice
Normal (50 mm) or wide angle (24, 28 or 35mm) allows moving close to the balloons to avoid people. Telephoto, or telephoto zoom (70-210mm) for details out of reach.
Keep Your Camera Steady!
Gently squeeze the shutter release for sharper photos.
Keep Shutter Speeds Fast!
Faster shutter speeds, such as a 1/250 of a second generally provide sharper pictures when using telephoto lenses and hand-holding your camera.