Bull Riders!!!!!

[Raskill]

Just got back from a rodeo. I went last year with my (untrusty) 70-300G, needless to say the results from a years worth of learning and a 70-200 VR improved things.

I was trying to get the faces of the riders in the images to show the human element. I got a few good looks!

Barrel riding, much safer than bronco or bull riding!



This horse was called 'airborne' I cant figure out why....



"alls I gotta do is pray, hold on tight, go with the flow, grit my teeth and hope for the best...."



"I'm doing what?!?!"




Fun was had. Hope you like the images. Comments or criticism welcomed as always!

[owen]

Hi Raskill. The images are nice and crisp, you can see the rider and the horsey no problems, and they are all a great action shot. I think you captured some great shots.

[BT*ist]

They're very good: there's some impressive action in each one of them. I particularly like the last one- not just for the expression on the rider, but also the bull!

[Frankenstein]

You've certainly caught the feel of the action - the facial expressions are great.

Frank

[Glen]

Raskill, you should offer them to the organisers for advertising, they are too good to lay idle

[Raskill]

Thanks folks.

These images are a few of the 150 I took. I had to get in nice and close to the fence, a little to close at times, with bulls and broncos running VERY close to me, to close for the VR to focus!! I remember thinking that if one came over the fence I was stuffed.

The area I got to sit was good in that the chutes (the gates they come out of) opened towards me, which gave a few good images. You can tell the lively animals cause they are going off before the gate opens.

All the images were shot in shutter priority, so the aperture was pretty wide, causing a bit of softness in a few images, but all in all it was a fun day. It was also the first real run I've given the VR, and it worked very smoothly, just like it says on the box!

I would offer them to the organisers, but they have an agreement with 'Eagle Photographics' a mob that follow the rodeo circuit and photograph each meet. They have sort of cornered the market.

Any other comments out there?

[big pix]

Moving animals are hard to capture...... but you have done an excellent job of showing expression on the faces of not only the riders but also the animals........

[Killakoala]

Brilliant!! I can guess as to how hard it was to get these shots, so you have done very well indeed and WOW, talk about action.

That black bull looks very angry.

[Slider]

Great stuff Raskill. The 4th shot is a beauty

[Jeff]

Hi Alan

Great shots ,hope things are good with you .

Jeff

[ABG]

Lovely series of images Raskill. Thanks for sharing.

[Alex]

Great shots, Raskill. No.3 is my favourite the expression on the rider's face is amazing.

Alex

[the foto fanatic]

#4 is a top shot. The bull's eye makes it look like it should have the number "666" on the blanket.

[BBJ]

Top stuff, love the action.

[Raskill]

Thanks for the comments guys, I'm pretty happy with the images. Don't know what I'll use them for. I'm putting together a 'printed' portfolio, so I think I'll include some as action shots.

Heres a couple more:





Thanks for looking!!!