Large vs. Small Rodeos

I like the smaller rodeos as they are less commercial and more focused on the events themselves, but one of the struggles facing a photographer (or any observer for that matter) is trying to get good photos at smaller rodeos. The reason for this is due to the fact that the majority of riders in smaller rodeos tend to be newer and less experienced than those at larger rodeos where they face much higher qualifications. This means that while cowboys riding in the rough stock events at large rodeos (such as Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Calgary Stampede, Cheyenne Frontier Days, and National Finals Rodeo) have more of a chance of lasting the 8 seconds and therefore giving the photographers more opportunities to capture photos from various angles, the majority riding in smaller rodeos do not last the full 8 seconds and their rides are over much quicker. As a photographer, I find the challenge of getting photos of these less experienced riders exciting and rewarding. It is such a great feeling when I can show one of the cowboys their photo and they can relive the ride. I’ve been told that while the rider is on the animal and for those (hopefully) 8 seconds, time goes by VERY slowly, yet at the same time it is over in an instant. A good photographer can capture that very small piece of time in a photo (or several photos) that tells the whole story – from the look of extreme concentration on the rider’s face to the dirt being kicked up off the animal to the look of disappointment on a rider’s face after he his ride has ended too early to the look of jubilation on the face of a rider who just lasted the entire 8 seconds for the first time. These ideal photos can be found at both large and small, indoor and outdoor rodeos – the challenges are different in all of them, but the excitement and thrill remains constant throughout – and for that I’m very thankful that I can be a small part of it.