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
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
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