November 12th, 2026
We got up early, well before dawn. The days that week were intensely hot, and we wanted to explore Smith Rock State Park near Redmond, Oregon, while the morning was still cool and the light was at its best on those beautiful peaks. Smith Rock is a dramatic stretch of volcanic cliffs and spires rising above the Crooked River in central Oregon’s high desert. The welded tuff and basalt walls catch the light in rich reds, oranges, and golds, especially in the early morning and late evening. The sky was a deep, clear blue when we arrived, and the first sunlight was already bringing out those colors across the rock. It was one of those gorgeous moments that reminded me exactly why I was there with a camera.
I had my 24-105mm lens mounted and was anticipating a hike down into the valley where the Crooked River meandered through the canyon floor. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a hot-air balloon already in the air. It was moving slowly, clearly giving passengers an aerial view of the same landscape I had come to photograph—the towering formations, the river below, and the high-desert terrain that makes this place such a draw for climbers and photographers. Must have been spectacular from up there. I didn’t think much of it at first until I was struck by the contrast of the multi-colored balloon against the nearby red rocks. Would it be possible to bring them together into one photograph?
The first problem was the wrong lens. The planned hike down to the valley meant I had kept my kit light, so the 100-500mm was still back in the truck. I ran for it. My wife laughed—she couldn’t visualize what I was trying to do, and I didn’t have time to explain. I just focused on the photograph already forming in my mind.
What I wanted was the edge of the red rock acting as a frame around the colorful balloon. The details of exactly how that should look kept shifting as I moved. Horizontal or vertical? Where could I find an unobstructed view of the peaks with the balloon still in the frame? Even though the balloon was drifting slowly, lining it up next to the rock was harder than it looked. I kept missing. So I did more running, trying to work it out on the fly.
I kept missing the moment I wanted until I realized I didn’t need to position myself for the balloon already sitting right next to the rock. What I needed to do was angle myself so the balloon started hidden behind the formation, then simply wait for it to drift out into the open frame. That solved it. I rapid-fired as the balloon emerged from behind the rocks, its bright bands finally sitting exactly where I wanted them against the glowing stone and deep blue sky.
Bringing the colors of the Rock face and Balloon to Life
The mid morning light really brings out the details of this stunning Jellyfish.
In our studio, I produced this photograph using our Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 and archival Lucia PRO II pigment inks. When printed on Red River Polar Gloss Metallic paper, the details and colors of this balloon and nearby rocks show up in incredible, smooth tonal depth. The metallic paper beautifully handles those subtle midtones and colors making the scene pop off the paper without losing any fine detail in the balloon or rock edges.
Printed with an elegant white border for safe handling and a classic gallery presentation, this piece is flat-shipped in extra-rigid packaging to protect its premium reflective finish.
Bring the story home: Shop the balloon Picture
Print Details: Available in 8.5" x 11" Paper (7" x 9" Image) and 11" x 17" Paper (10" x 15" Image).