Brenton Cheung, Canberra Balloon Spectacular (LANDSCAPE 2026)

I consider myself half a Canberran as I've commuted there for work for over six years now, and used to spend almost half of my time there every year. Most people say it's a boring place with not much to do, though I've found it quite the contrary depending on your interests. It feels like the perfect mix of city convenience with bush and nature nearby. It also hosts a range of events that bring joy to photographers every year such as the Canberra Balloon Spectacular. These photos were captured from the National Arboretum from sunrise to the early morning before I went off to work, when most of the balloons were taking off. It's a sublime view against the backdrop of the rising sun, while people just in front enjoy the view with a picnic.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.