Mark Burgess
January 2025 - Rodeo
Original
About the Image(s)
This was my first Rodeo for the 24/25 Season (29th December). I liked the balance between the bucking horse and the falling rider. Due to the proximity of the crowd I used desaturation, blur and haze to isolate the subjects. Topaz was used to sharpen up the subjects.
11 comments posted
What a fantastic action photo. I love photographing rodeos. The only sugestion I have is to mabe make the dirt a bit darker or a bit brown? Also, change the middle small flag to blue vs white. Again, great action photo. Posted: 01/04/2025 02:25:11
Thanks Sophia. They are good points! Posted: 01/04/2025 03:47:06
Mark, perfect action shot! Were you in a burst mode? I agree with Sophia's suggestion for the dirt. Additionally, since you had the BG separated for post-processing I would have tried toning the BG down, especially on the right corner and the spectator with the glasses. This is a winner. Posted: 01/04/2025 17:33:55
Thanks Richard. Good point about that spectator Posted: 01/05/2025 19:25:43
Yes burst mode. I get 10 fps which is not very fast by todays standards but the upside is good IQ ( Sony a7Rv) Posted: 01/05/2025 19:28:28
Mark, I join Sophia and Richard in recognizing what a fantastic shot you have! The timing is perfect! I notice that you've already reduced/blurred the background and thought I'd play with doing that even more. I'm concerned that I might have made your image look a bit artificial. What do you think? Posted: 01/10/2025 16:02:12
This is a great action shot Mark and you have captured the horse and former rider at the perfect time. You have used desaturation, blur etc and therefore it is not allowed in Photo Journalism and so I have gone one step further and removed the writing from the walls and other distractions. What do you think? Posted: 01/11/2025 10:35:46
Thanks David, Yes this would only be entered into an open competition so your further edits are a good idea. Lets get rid of all distractions!! Posted: 01/12/2025 01:13:58
(Groups 24 & 48 & 58)
Love how you dealt with this leaving the subjects in full color and blurring and almost monochroming the background. Well done Posted: 01/12/2025 19:59:23
Mark, It's all in the timing and you hit the nail right on the head. Having shot several rodeo events, I appreciate how difficult it is to anticipate and execute this type of photo. This is one in a million. Capturing both the rider and the horse doing a hand stand, so to speak, with the dust surrounding them and softening the background. Well in my view a rodeo photo doesn't get any better than this. Congratulations. Posted: 01/14/2025 16:35:37
Thanks Victor Posted: 01/14/2025 19:31:02