CC Welcome - Rodeo Time!

[Chancey]

I know they aren't perfect. But they will be soon.
I am all about learning and being taught.

[iCe]

The flash is too harsh on the first two. Nikon has great flash control so see if you can learn to tone it down a little.

I'm surprised that they let you use a flash. I never asked so maybe it's not a big deal.

#1- I would have preferred that you shot from more toward the front of the clown... like about 45 degrees in front of his right shoulder. That would add some depth.

#2- Tone the flash down and use some midtone contrast boosting in CS and this one's not bad.

#3- Awesome timing on this one. It would be "nice" to see the rider's face but you caught the action perfectly. Did you do an in camera B&W conversion or CS? If CS, well done.

[Chancey]

Originally Posted by iCe

The flash is too harsh on the first two. Nikon has great flash control so see if you can learn to tone it down a little.

I'm surprised that they let you use a flash. I never asked so maybe it's not a big deal.

#1- I would have preferred that you shot from more toward the front of the clown... like about 45 degrees in front of his right shoulder. That would add some depth.

#2- Tone the flash down and use some midtone contrast boosting in CS and this one's not bad.

#3- Awesome timing on this one. It would be "nice" to see the rider's face but you caught the action perfectly. Did you do an in camera B&W conversion or CS? If CS, well done.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
#1 - I am in 100% agreeance with you. I was on one side of the arena when I saw him. I didn't have a chance to run around to get a better angle - but that would have definitely made it MUCH better!!

#2 - I do need to work on using a flash. That is a 'toughy' for me. I will work on this definitely.

#3 - It was CS. - I would have loved to get his face as well... but that dang bull wouldn't listen to me! ha! This photo is definitely one of my favorites.

I can't begin to thank you enough for you CC. It shows me what I need to do and work on to improve.

[John Godwin]

Please post the photos with the EXIF data intact. It helps some of us to make a better suggestion on how to improve your photos.

#1 The clown looks out of focus. It does not look like motion blur. It could be that you cropped the photo to much.

#2 Looks like motion blur more than out of focus. If it is motion blur let the flash stop the action instead of the shutter speed. Make sure that the flash is the primary light source and not to much ambient is getting into the photo.

To help avoid red eye or demon eye such as what you see in the bull's eye get the flash off of the camera as much as you can.

#3 Motion blur again. Let the flash be the primary light source.

[Dustin]

I love the last two! I'm a beginner myself, so I can't give you any advice like the more experienced people, but I happen to like the last two.

[Chancey]

Originally Posted by John Godwin

Please post the photos with the EXIF data intact. It helps some of us to make a better suggestion on how to improve your photos.

#1 The clown looks out of focus. It does not look like motion blur. It could be that you cropped the photo to much.

#2 Looks like motion blur more than out of focus. If it is motion blur let the flash stop the action instead of the shutter speed. Make sure that the flash is the primary light source and not to much ambient is getting into the photo.

To help avoid red eye or demon eye such as what you see in the bull's eye get the flash off of the camera as much as you can.

#3 Motion blur again. Let the flash be the primary light source.

John - thank you as well for the CC!
#1 - I did crop in a fair amount. For this photo - I just loved the moment. Oh, I will start putting the EXIF data on here. I don't know how to include it when you attach...

#2 - There was definitely some motion blur. I am learning about flashes - they are not my strong suit at all! :)

#3 - I had my flash off camera - but I will adjust higher to help. Any suggestions on how high? Is there a site that might have suggestions?

Thank you so much!

[Chancey]

Originally Posted by Dustin

I love the last two! I'm a beginner myself, so I can't give you any advice like the more experienced people, but I happen to like the last two.

Hiya Dustin!

I am not quite a beginner - but in the world of Rodeo photography - I definitely am. LOL

Thank you on the compliments! I love the air on the 2nd one.... it definitely needs to improve and I knew that before the CC - but I needed the opinions and advice of stronger photogs.
On the 3rd - it just rocked. (and still with needing the slight improvements)

The best part is standing in the arena and seeing the steers and calves so up close and personal. I am a rodeo chick anyhow - but being in the arena while the heat is on is amazing!

Thanks so much!!
~chancey

[John Godwin]

Your post processing may be stripping the EXIF data. It is missing on the color shots but is there on the sepia/black and white photo. Use the 'paper clip' to attach photos directly from your computer. Some photo sites strip the data.

I use a flash for football at night and the flash is about 3 feet below the camera. That distance helps a lot but does not get rid of all of the red or demon eye.

To let the flash stop the motion the camera settings need to be such that if the flash is not used the photo will be underexposed by at least two full stops. More underexposure is even better if your flash is powerful enough. I use the camera in manual mode and set the exposure and then let the flash work in the TTL (or whatever Nikon calls it) mode instead of setting the flash power manually.

[brewercm]

If you are using Adobe Lifghtroom or Photoshop they will give you the efix data and you can just copy and paste them. That's the way I use to get mine and I'm sure there are plenty ot others.

I used to ride back almost 30 years ago and love the last shot and actually the second would be really nice if sharper.

So are you saying that you were actually standing in the arena when the riding was going on? I've been wanting to go to a couple of places I used to ride around San ANtonio when younger and take some myself.

[Chancey]

Originally Posted by John Godwin

Your post processing may be stripping the EXIF data. It is missing on the color shots but is there on the sepia/black and white photo. Use the 'paper clip' to attach photos directly from your computer. Some photo sites strip the data.

I use a flash for football at night and the flash is about 3 feet below the camera. That distance helps a lot but does not get rid of all of the red or demon eye.

To let the flash stop the motion the camera settings need to be such that if the flash is not used the photo will be underexposed by at least two full stops. More underexposure is even better if your flash is powerful enough. I use the camera in manual mode and set the exposure and then let the flash work in the TTL (or whatever Nikon calls it) mode instead of setting the flash power manually.

I honestly never thought about using the flash below the camera. That is how little I know about flash photography. Looks like I will spend some major time on this chapter!

I think I will get started tonight!
Thanks!!!

[Chancey]

Originally Posted by brewercm

If you are using Adobe Lifghtroom or Photoshop they will give you the efix data and you can just copy and paste them. That's the way I use to get mine and I'm sure there are plenty ot others.

I used to ride back almost 30 years ago and love the last shot and actually the second would be really nice if sharper.

So are you saying that you were actually standing in the arena when the riding was going on? I've been wanting to go to a couple of places I used to ride around San ANtonio when younger and take some myself.

I was in the arena - in the midst of it all - EXCEPT during the rough stock events.
Bulls and Bareback/Saddle Bronc. I can't take a chance with my cam or my life.
I love being in the thick of it. I have to be aware of every moment definitely!
If ya ever come to DFW - holler at me and I will take ya on up there.

Have a terrific night!

[OneShot]

Alright, One thing to know when you shoot rough stock, never shoot to where the gate is opening to you. Always shoot with the gate opening away from you.

Flash on Roughstock is ok, it should never cause a problem, the bulls or the riders never really notice it.

I shoot inside of arenas during bull rides just depends on the arena and how fast you can climb, its usually never a big deal, just never take your eyes off of the bull while its in the arena.

The 2nd shot the bull is out of focus, hopefully it is but your AF point should always be center dot, Aim at the cowboy. Black and dark colored bulls are always gonna give you a hard time with focusing. Its very hard for the camera to track it in continous focus, and to focus and lock it in single focus.

Shooting on Camera flash is pretty difficult IMHOP for bull riding and roughstock. You are very limited, You either have to shoot high ISO, low Fstop and set your flash to where you can get a few shots in a row before it recycles, and the more power you use on the flash the less shots you get, cause most of the time the rider is gonna be bucked off.

If you are going to be shooting a lot of bull riding I would look into getting some strobes for remote flash, I use alien bees, they are really tough and can take a lot of abuse.

I am also using pocket wizard TT1 remote on my camera and shooting at 1/400-500th shutter speed, with almost full flash. The TT1 let me shoot above the stock 1/250th shutter flash sync. High shutter speed the more you can freeze the action in the photo.

[Chancey]

Lonnie...
I can't thank you enough for the input. I really appreciate it!
I am a pretty fast climber and runner for a chick but they won't let me in the arena for roughstock! I sure would like to be. I am in the arena for everything else though.

However - I did get knocked down by a dag-gomed Mule last week. LOL

I am shooting another one here in a couple of weeks - so I am going to take your advice and most definitely use it.
Thank you and have a great great day!!!