Racer
Jul, 2016Views
120
Likes
Awards
Winner in Barrel Racing "ONLY" Photo Challenge
Superb Composition
Peer Award
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photograph was taken in Marshall County, West Virginia during a night time rodeo which I have been shooting at for five years.Time
This was taken at about 11 p.m.Lighting
This is the natural lighting of the streetlights set up for the event. I use rodeos as practice for lighting, movement, and speed mastery so I never use flash to practice with my camera manual settings switching on the fly to what will be properly exposed for stop action coverage.Equipment
I used my Canon Rebel T3i paired with a 70-200 mm f/2.8 tamron lens everything was handheld.Inspiration
If you have ever been to a night time rodeo then you have seen the play of lights, the way the lighting hits the animals flesh, and the speed those competing use. I have always used rodeo photography as a means of practice-- the barrel racers come in at speeds of 35-40 mph are turning around three barrels and out sometimes in 13 seconds. It is a challenging situation, it pushes the need to know your camera, lighting, settings all just to make a shot. I get inspired by successfully pulling off an image like this because it means I am progressing as a photographer.Editing
I did a minor crop on this image and converted from RAW to JPEG, that is extend of my editing on this particular image.In my camera bag
My bag varies from shoot to shoot, on that evening I had three lens readily available tamron 24-75 mm f/2.8 & a tamron 70-200 mm f/2.8 along with a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. I keep an array of XD cards on hand, extra batteries charged and ready, rain sleeve, and I always have an umbrella stored in a pocket as well. For the most part I shoot sans flash so I never really pack my ice lights, studio lighting, or flash kit unless I intend to actually use it.Feedback
Be prepared for anything, in this sport especially with outdoor venues the weather can rapidly change, the lighting is changing every second so you need to constantly be adjusting for it and for the dust that is kicked up which will also affect photo results. Shooting the action is always great but some magic moments happen behind the main arena so if not affiliated with the company coming in to set up rodeos, or horse shows you are wanting to shoot, go early introduce yourself and ask permission to be on the inside, it will open up a new world of photographing plus networking is key.
