The Runaway Balloon by Fong Lam

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01-Oct-2024	Fong Lam

The Runaway Balloon

Amid the bustle of town, a young balloon girl holds a bright cluster
of balloons as one yellow balloon breaks free. She reaches desperately
for its trailing string, her wide eyes and anxious expression
capturing the sudden panic of watching it drifts beyond her grasp.

Nikon D80
1/250s f/5.6 at 150.0mm iso640 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto

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All images copyrighted © Fong Lam

Nick Paoni		15-Sep-2026 23:20
Your timing was perfect. I can really sense her desperation.

Chris Picard		15-Sep-2026 14:38
Her expression is priceless and your timing for the shot absolutely perfect. I think the balloon escaped.

Dave Petersen Photography		15-Sep-2026 00:14
Impeccable timing in this very expressive capture. A priceless moment frozen in time and a visual definition of panic. I truly feel for her. VVV+++

Carl Carbone		14-Sep-2026 23:38
Oh no! Nicely timed for the reaction!

globalgadabout		14-Sep-2026 17:55
bravo Fong, as you are quick on the key moments...her concern is clearly evident...V

Apostolos Tikopoulos		14-Sep-2026 15:51
Excellent timing and great expression in this wonderful candid. V

marie-jose wolff		14-Sep-2026 10:02
What a lovely scene: the little girl is holding a bunch of multicolored balloons. She is trying to catch the yellow balloon as it escapes; dismay is written all over her face. V

Ton, Ben & Rob Nagtegaal		14-Sep-2026 05:34
Perfect timing to get this candid shot, love the expression of this lady. V

carol j. phipps		14-Sep-2026 04:55
Amazing timing to catch this and memorialize the lovely lady reaching for the rascally balloon. Beautifully done. V

Bryan Murahashi		14-Sep-2026 01:40
Fabulous photo of her expression at this moment of time.

Dennis Hoyne		14-Sep-2026 00:16
A fine catch on your part, at just the right moment. Wonderful color and her expression in priceless.

Denise J T Lee		13-Sep-2026 23:56
"So close, yet so far!" In this very moment, worry and anxiety are clearly visible on her face: her brows furrowed, her lips parted in surprise... While her other hand grips the bunch of balloons tightly — as if protecting her most prized possession — and the strings are pulled taut. Great photographs tell a story while leaving a sense of mystery. This shot makes the viewer wonder whether she, or someone nearby, will manage to bring the balloon back to her. The string attached to that yellow balloon forms a connection with the heart of every viewer. ~VVVVV++++~

Julie Oldfield		13-Sep-2026 22:15
Perfectly timed. Her sense of dismay comes through strongly. V

Ronny		13-Sep-2026 21:20
I would shout "don't panic, it's just a balloon," but for that girl, it likely means a loss of income. Nevertheless, the photographer was in the right place at the right time—perfectly spotted, with a lightning-fast reaction to capture that magnificent shot. It's definitely going into my favorites. BIG VVV

Nestor Derkach		13-Sep-2026 18:02
A well-timed candid portrait with the yellow almost within reach love the expression on her face as she holds the handful of balloon firmly. Nice composition and colorful candid. Vote

Rob Legeland		13-Sep-2026 16:54
What a beautifully captured moment. You can almost feel her little gasp as that yellow balloon slips away... the hope, the panic, the stretch of her hand. It’s tender and honest all at once. V

francoisconstantin		13-Sep-2026 14:24
The timing and the expression is spot on!!! The dof was perfect to isolate this moment! VVV

janescottcumming		13-Sep-2026 12:42
Perfect timing! The expression and the colors are all so wonderful here. V

Helen Betts		13-Sep-2026 12:05
Perfect timing to catch this great shot, especially the look of dismay on her face. V.

Alla Gilbourd		13-Sep-2026 11:55
Her expression says it all. Great capture! V

laine		13-Sep-2026 10:42
Perfect timing, her expression says exactly what she's thinking. V

jtocaciu		13-Sep-2026 10:09
Excellent picture, the frustration of loosing a balloon is well expressed on girl face. Superb colours and sharpness. VVVVV+++

Marc Demoulin		13-Sep-2026 10:09
Yes this was definitely the décisive moment to trigger ! V

vifut		13-Sep-2026 09:51
Perfect timing - it must be very sad loosing a balloon. (V)

joseantonio		13-Sep-2026 04:02
nice timing and capture.V.

Dan Opdal		13-Sep-2026 03:52
What a beautiful scene with wonderful color and sharpness! V