Bull Rider Series
Feb, 2020Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken on a later August night at the Cody Stampede grounds. It was into the late summer series of the Cody Nite Rodeo. This is a well-known nightly rodeo that takes place in Cody, WY where people can enjoy rodeo performances every night of the summer.Time
This photo was taken during one of my most favorite times to photograph. I have coined it as the "witching hour". It was between 7:15 - 8p.m. in the evening. The sun has just set behind Cedar Mountain directly West of the arena. It creates soft light, yet silhouettes are still achieveable with stadium lighting turning on and not quite at full power yet.Lighting
I wanted this photo to create an iconic silhouette of what we all envision as a cowboy. The lighting and desaturation of the image helps to create a lasting iconic image of rodeo and who participates.Equipment
This was totally a raw use of natural lighting. I used my Canon 80D and just adjusted settings with no flash used.Inspiration
Actually I was on assignment to capture senior portraits of this young man. His mother said you know a few headshots and some action shots of him riding etc. He is a high school bull rider. However, once I arrived at the arena creativity came to life. I wanted to tell a story. Not just the typical senior portrait smile please package. I was inspired to push angles and story telling with the creative sunset lighting and environment.Editing
I only did moderate level adjustment to deepend the shadows and then desaturated the photo with a Photoshop action from the Three Nails Action set.In my camera bag
I am a minimialist by nature. I usually have my Canon 80D which is meant for non-studio photography based on the elements it faces here in Western Wyoming. I have my 18-55mm lens and 18-100mm lens. This allows for some zoom capabilities but landscape as well when shooting in multiple environment depths. I always have a 64GB SD card and 2 or 3 32GB cards. I am an avid shooter capturing many frames as I study one focal point in many different perspectives. Also always carry back up batteries to load in my battery grip. I need the extra shooting time in remote settings not close to power for hours on end.Feedback
If you want to capture movement and story-telling portraits you have to immerse yourself in the environment. I was against the loading shoots and alley way and was covered in dirt and grime once this shoot ended. You have to push the limit and understand your lighting options naturally as to not draw attention to yourself with a flash, but still capture a moment in time.
