Snowmass Rodeo

I am very excited that I have for the third time been selected as the photographer for the Snowmass Village Rodeo. 

If you've never photographed a rodeo, I'd say, take a deep breath and go out and do it! I find rodeo photography to be the toughest type of photography (after photojournalism, of course).

You will run into lighting extremes - 
     * Hot overhead sun or low light in the late afternoons or evenings. 
     * Fast Action
     * Erratic Movement - you only guestimate where the horses, bulls, steers,   etc are going to go. With practice you'll have a heads up.
     * Then of course you have little control over your background. Could be a row of port-a-pots.


So, can it be done?
     * Start out with a camera that has no shutter lag (you'll miss the shot otherwise)
     * You'll need a high ISO so you can have a fast (at least 1000) shutter speed. Aperture settings (depth of field) will probably be something you can't control at all. 
    * Use your fastest setting for taking shots. If you have a big buffer (25 - 40)
you'll be okay. If your camera has to write to the card after every 4 shots- you'll be waiting, and waiting, and possibly missing good images.
    * I use a monopod or even tripod as often as I can, so I can avoid camera shake. Look into a GorrilaPod to wrap around the fences.
     
For the best composition, you'll need to move around the perimeter of the arena; Get low; Get High; look for unusual vantage points.


For your safety and the safety of spectators, contestants and animal, please check with the rodeo manager on where you can and cannot go.

Almost all arenas will not allow a photographer within the arena. Exceptions  can be and are  made for Professional Rodeo Association Certified Photographers. I have worked hard and am fortunate to have received my certification last year.


Also, please remember, that if a contestant is recognizable in your image you must obtain a signed photography release if you want to sell the image. The news media (newspapers, magazines, etc) do not need a signature.


Please enjoy as rodeo season gets underway. And please contact me if you have any questions.


Roberta

Moab Utah - Incredible Vistas

Thursday and Friday, March 16 and 17th

Moab Utah - one of the most beautiful and most photographed places on earth. It was quite a challenge - especially at mid day when the bright light is terrible.

What to shoot? Well, I looked for what I liked, not what I didn't like. And serendipity came into play. Look at the climber rappelling from the center of Canyon Arch. An "aha" moment to be sure. I had my d 200 ( knew I wouldn't 't need high IS O) with my Nikon 28-300 3.5-4.6. I only wanted to carry one body and one lens on the steep climb up to the arch. I set my ISO to 200 and put on VR. No mono or tripod.

I exposed in shutter priority for the mid tones in the rock for the close up at 100 mm f10 - 1000

For the distance shots - iso still 200, lens at 135,   f5.6 - 2000 shutter

 

Location

What Kind of Camera Should I Get?

     As you probably can figure out by now, I'm conservative when it comes to purchasing equipment.
      Do you homework - research the internet, magazines; Ask friends for their recommendations. The best option would be if someone has a camera you can try.
      My strong recommendation is NOT to ask the staff at a camera or electronics store. You very frequently will get "upsold" to a more advanced model or to lots of lenses and extras. Once you have decided what will fit your needs, you have many purchase options: the local store, online stores, etc.
      Used equipment is good option, but only buy from a reputable seller you gives you at least a small window for return. I have purchased used equipment from Keh.com, BHphotovideo.com, Adorama.com, and other established firms. In all cases, only pay with a credit card or PayPal so you have some protection. And hold out for free shipping!
      Please consider a neck strap (those wrist straps are annoying), a spare battery and a spare memory card. Also, bookstores carry "field" type guides - the manual that comes with the camera is tiny and hard to navigate.
      There is absolutely nothing wrong with a "point and shoot" or even a camera phone. Just get started making images to develop your eye, learn what you like and don't like to capture. It's all about mileage. The great part about digital is delete anything you're positive you don't want. No one else knows the bloopers.
      Most basic cameras have options such as "portrait," "landscape," "action," or "night time." Have fun with these. And, please, don't get hung up on megapixels. One of my best images was shot with a  megapixel cannon sure shot, and I've enlarged it to 36 x 24 with no problem.
`    A couple of websites that have valuable reviews are:
      * KenRockwell.com
     *  CNet.com

     Please contact me if you have any questions about a specific camera or add on. And ditch those bulky camera cases. When you're going shooting, just hang it around your neck and go. I always add my cameras as a listed item on my personal insurance policy. The odds of anything happening are miniscule unless you drop your camera into a lake or run over it with vehicle.

Time to Get Going

       As I have mentioned, photography is not about technology. And that may be a complicated   concept. 

       So I have a few specific assignments that can help you understand better. 

       1. Take a look at the photographs you see in magazines, newspapers, websites, anywhere      you find a still image. Jot down your first impression of the photograph. Thumbs up or thumbs down... and why?

       2. Can you figure out what the photographer is trying to say? and does it work? 

       3. Are there unnecessary or distracting elements in the image?  What would do to correct that.

       Now comes the work part:

       1. Option #1

          Please get a disposable camera - no settings to fiddle with - and shoot the entire camera.     You'll need to either print small images (even 5 x 7s are only 9 cents at Walmart) and study your results, keeping in mind your thoughts about what you are shooting.  Please consider uploading your images so we can discuss. You can do this be requesting a CD of your images rather than prints. You can do that privately to my email or directly to my blog.

       2.Option #2

         You can also use any camera you have. For this assignment, it is important you only use   the Automatic Option. Please only use a 50mm or 35mm lens. If you have a zoom. Please only shoot at one of these. Please upload your images as in #1

          I shot the image below in 2004 using a Canon point and shoot at auto with the lowest 35mm setting. And it's become one of my most popular images.

       Really looking forward to discussing your images.

What is Photography?

So sorry it's been a while since I've posted a blog, but here I am now; Please don't lose faith in me. So here goes:

I've thought a lot about "What is Photography"- almost the same conundrum as "What is Fine Art?"

That answer is simple - It's Fine Art if someone buys it and it's not a portrait of the individual, his or her family, property, animals. 

Photography is not about the camera or the technology; It's about the fragile moments in our world; The eye that sees it; the visions of the artist; the stories told. That is Photography. 

Here's an image I took without a lot of pre-shoot planning, except that I was going to this particular ranch to shoot:

In this image, I am depicting the relationship between the two horses. As you can see, the horse in the front of the image is the "alpha," but their is a strong bond between both.

Sometimes a developing artist has trouble articulating 'vision.' But that's why I think creating your the artist's statement is crucial. Think about what you like to shoot. Check out "artist statements" on Google or Bling. Draft your own.

And sometimes we don't know exactly why we created an image in a particular way in the moment of making that image. That's okay. Just take out the images you like best and think.

If you'd like my input on your artist's statement, please send it on.








 

Look at the Light

It is true that photography is all about light and composition (the arrangement of all subjects and items in your image). Take a few moments, look outside at the light in the early morning and at dusk.

Make photographs at each of these times on your point and shoot camera on the programmed setting from the exact same position. Put the printed photographs of  on your computer if you can have all images on screen at the same time.

What do you see? What differences between the images? There are no right or wrong answers - This exercise is the initial step in learning about light and photography.

My next blog will cover the basics of  "composition."

It's all about you, the Photographer

Some say the digital age means an end to creative photography, as people just point and shoot. Well, I’m here to disagree – it’s all about the person behind the camera and not about the technology.

I’ve taught courses about this topic – and my students only use disposable cameras at first. We all know how to see – we need to learn how to look.  Just stop for a moment and look around the room you’re in right now.

You see shapes, lines, light, dark,  maybe even a little movement as your cat jumps on your keyboard. Now, zero in on what images attract you.  Make your forefingers and thumbs into a rectangle of sorts and voile, there is your viewfinder or the display screen on your camera.

Mind you,  I personally have an aversion to using display screens for capturing your image, I only use mine to review and maybe change something for the next shot.

There are two main principles in photography – Keep it Simple (if someone can’t figure out your subject, you’ve got too much going on), and, if you don’t like what you end up with, Get Closer.

Then there is the third principle (I know I said “two,” ) Take lots and lots of photos. Capture the same subject from a variety of angles – get up, get down, move to the side, and please wear jeans that you won’t worry if you need to lie down in the grass to shoot a beautiful cloud.