ISO 3200, f/5.6 at 1/100 sec
Not too long ago I posted a couple of pictures about last years Mountain Top Rodeo. I sent the link to the marketing agency working on this years rodeo. Shortly after I had sent the email I got a call from Christy at the agency asking if they could use one of my photos (the one above). I agreed, and as a result, my picture ended up on hundreds of T-Shirts and in the program folder they handed out to every visitor. I posted a picture of the T-Shirt on my Facebook page. Additionally my wife and I got free tickets for this years rodeo and I was given the best spot in the arena to take even more pictures this year.
We arrived early this year, so I had a chance to walk around and photograph the animals up close as well as the cowboys and cowgirls preparing for the event.
Cowgirl walking to lasso practice
Cowboy preparing gloves with steel brush to extra grip
Cowboy preparing saddle
Horse waiting to be snaffled
Bull with a branding
That branding looks like it must have hurt 
Some of the cowboys and animals decided not to do anything, but rather relax and concentrate on the upcoming tasks.
Cowboy sitting and thinking
Three bulls taking it easy
Then the events begun, including Bareback Bronc Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Ladies Barrel Racing, Ladies Breakaway Roping, Tie Down Roping, Team Roping and Bull Riding. At that time, the light was getting lower already, so had to start at ISO 1250 to get a fast enough shutter speed. Later in the evening, I was maxed out at ISO 6400 at 1/160 sec shutter speed. Thanks to Nik Software Dfine I could get rid of most of the noise caused by the high ISO.
Saddle Bronc Riding
ISO 1250, f/2.8 at 1/1000 sec
ISO 2000, f/2.8 at 1/1000 sec
ISO 1800, f/2.8 at 1/1000 sec
ISO 1250, f/2.8 at 1/1000 sec
Steer Wrestling
ISO 6400, f/2.8 at 1/1250 sec
Tie Down Roping
ISO 6400, f/2.8 at 1/500 sec
ISO 6400, f/2.8 at 1/640 sec
Barrel Racing
ISO 6400, f/2.8 at 1/250 sec
ISO 6400, f/2.8 at 1/200 sec
Bull Riding
ISO 6400, f/2.8 at 1/320 sec
ISO 6400, f/2.8 at 1/200 sec
ISO 6400, f/2.8 at 1/160 sec
You can clearly tell that at the last three pictures, that getting sharp images with such lighting conditions and my equipment was next to impossible.
In between the events the rodeo clown came out to keep the crowd entertained
Rodeo clown at end of dance performance
Clown in a duel with an “amigo”
All in all we had a great time and I’d like to thank Christy Griffin and Charlie Lowry for their cooperation! I’m looking forward to the 2013 Mountain Top Rodeo! I’ve uploaded a few more pictures to the Photos section of my blog! More information about the Mountain Top Rodeo at R-Ranch can be found here and here.
Equipment
