James Ricketts
December 2019 - Bull Rider In Flight
Original
About the Image(s)
Here are before and after versions of an image (Bull_Rider_In_Flight) I recently took at a local rodeo in Brawley, California. Used a Canon 1DX Mark II with a Canon 100-400 zoom lens. The settings were: 400mm, f/8.0, ISO 400, and 1/400 second shutter speed. I frequently do action shots at high ISO’s and shutter speeds while fixing the f-stop at f/8.0. These settings greatly improve the focus of the shots.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted
(Groups 5 & 15)
Jim - great action shot. I like the rich sunset, dusty colors and dirt flying. Fixing the aperture at f/8 was the best decision to get the depth of field on the action. Cropping it to a square keeps the attention on that action.
Well done. Dr. Jim Posted: 12/05/2019 16:11:25
Well done. Dr. Jim Posted: 12/05/2019 16:11:25
Thanks for the feedback Dr.Jim. FYI, my local camera club rated the image pretty low: distracting background, bull not in focus throughout, and no focal point. Not my absolute favorite shot, but still liked the sense of action. Funny how people can look at the same image and love or hate the result. On our way to Europe in a few days so Merry Christmas a little to you and the whole group. Jim Posted: 12/05/2019 17:04:27
Good action photo James. The animal and people are well focused. I like the cropping and the composition.
Perhaps a slight vignette would have reduced the bright spot near the left bottom corner. Posted: 12/06/2019 06:28:59
Perhaps a slight vignette would have reduced the bright spot near the left bottom corner. Posted: 12/06/2019 06:28:59
Wow! I want to shot like this. I love you photo and better with the crop. Well done! I even like the signs because it is real. Posted: 12/10/2019 15:02:44
(Groups 5 & 15)
Jim, this photo is the action. The action is everything that's happening around the center. I hope you are having a wonderful time in Europe and look forward to your photos of where you go and what you do in 2020. Dr. Jim Posted: 12/11/2019 09:15:07
For me the human element attracts my attention most, so I have no problem with softer spots on the bull. I like the lines forming diagonals across the image. Well done. Posted: 12/18/2019 05:46:15
I find the comments of your club somewhat amusing. How in the world are you ever going to take a live action rodeo shot and frame the image with no distracting background?
I have no problem with the bull not being in complete focus. Maybe the focus could be improved in some areas by using the tool in Photoshop that is supposed to correct blur and camera shake. Sorry, I can't remember the name of the tool. Posted: 12/18/2019 19:10:39
I have no problem with the bull not being in complete focus. Maybe the focus could be improved in some areas by using the tool in Photoshop that is supposed to correct blur and camera shake. Sorry, I can't remember the name of the tool. Posted: 12/18/2019 19:10:39