The Adventure of Photography
The rain stopped, just in time for me to photograph what must have been one of the muddiest rodeo’s ever. I don’t think human or animal could manage to stay vertical if it had been any more wet out there.
I wanted to share some of these fun images, some tips to go along with them, and do a little explaining about the phrase that begins every newsletter: Wild Now.
Also, we’ve had one cancellation for the June 11-12 workshop (this weekend!) so please be in touch asap if you are interested in that last spot.
There are just two tickets left to the June 25-26 workshop.
More information is available on the workshops page.
As always, thank you for your support.
Muddiest Rodeo Ever
This past weekend Duncan Mills, California hosted the Russian River Rodeo. After what seemed like weeks of incessant rain, the event went on as scheduled. I went out on Sunday and shot more than 800 frames in an hour and a half. Photographing right along the open fence meant any horse or human that passed within 10 feet sprayed cold slop in my direction. While not nearly as muddy as the participants, I did arrive home much browner than when I left, and quite happy about it.
1. Protect your camera. They are surprisingly rugged and weatherproof, but don’t be sorry you overestimated that fact. You can use anything from a cheap shower cap to modified ziplock bags and rubber bands to $150 camera rain covers. The latter are very nice but overkill unless you do this on a regular basis. There are also camera umbrellas which usually mount to the hot shoe or tripod screw, but those are most useful for stationary photography.
2. Having resolved how to protect your camera, one needs to brave the weather. I’d have shot the rodeo even if it poured rain throughout. In fact it probably would have been even better. Everyone takes photos on clear sunny days. Go further. Wonderful and moody images can be captured in the fog, rain, or snow. Enjoy the refreshing air and see what you can do with your camera out there.
3. Ansel Adams said that photography is knowing where to stand. It’s not quite that simple, but his point is critical. The direction of the light and background should be your main considerations. At risk of repeating myself and ‘shouting’ with all caps; THOU SHALT HAVE CLEAN BACKGROUNDS. Do the best you can with what you have to work with. If they aren’t clean, at least make sure they are relevant. Try to frame the main subject with a clean surround, for example clear space around the cowboy’s head. Shoot with a wide aperture to blur out the background, or…
4. Experiment with motion blur. Slowing down your shutter speed and carefully tracking with the subject while firing a number of shots can result in very dynamic images. Most of the images with motion blur here are shot at 1/30 or 1/40 of a second. For detailed how-to on motion blur check out my digital SLR workbook. I guess that is my big announcement that it is now for sale. Beautifully printed in full color throughout with scores of examples and tips, I’ve worked for more than a year to make this the most efficient guide to mastering your digital SLR.
5. Shoot the action, but don’t forget the details. Everyone is drawn to the main event, for good reason. But don’t forget to take some time to look around for the small stories. I shot a roll of film on my old Rolleiflex while I was there, of muddy cowboys re-telling their wild ride back by the horse trailer, of small kids bucking on an overturned barrel, and the rows of nearly identical blue jeans and cowboy boots.
That has been my underlying philosophy as a photographer. This work is not simply about creating images or making a few bucks. Photography is a way of life that has the potential to bring me into alignment, into the present. When I am taking pictures I freeze time, and somewhere along the line I lose track of time, step outside of it, and become completely absorbed and enamored with the world. That is the Wild Now. The moment I press the shutter is the opening of my camera and myself to the wondrous light of the world.
