Linnea Matthiesen
July 2025 - Almost Airborn
Original
About the Image(s)
I would like some comments on an image that I recently took at a rodeo. My settings are ISO 1600, f/5.6 focal length 200mm and shutter speed of 1/1000. It is cropped in a bit. What I don't like is the busy background. I know that a smaller aperture would blur that out but with the fading light I did not want to stop down, increase the ISO and therefore the grain and/or lose the stop action shutter speed. I am no good at layers so doing post processing to blur the background has to be instructions for dummies. ????
Any other suggestions?
7 comments posted
Hi Linnea. I did a lot of rodeo shots last spring with PRCA photographers. Some photographers will tell you to get on higher ground to not see people in the background. However, all PRCA photographers are at ground level to get the best shots. It's all in one's perspective. I really don't mind people in the background because they sometimes tell a good story also. Your photo is cropped well. I like the hat flying off.
When I'm shooting fast moving objects, I often leave my ISO on auto. Then I lower the aperture and increase shutter speed. Yes, I get some noise but AI denoise can fix that.
If the background bothers you, you can use a PS blurring tool.
I hope this helps. You captured a really nice shot. Posted: 07/10/2025 19:03:43
When I'm shooting fast moving objects, I often leave my ISO on auto. Then I lower the aperture and increase shutter speed. Yes, I get some noise but AI denoise can fix that.
If the background bothers you, you can use a PS blurring tool.
I hope this helps. You captured a really nice shot. Posted: 07/10/2025 19:03:43
Linnea Matthiesen
Thanks for the compliment!
I was as high as the stands would allow for this shot. I have not thought of using auto ISO. I think that could help. I will try it as I hope to attend another rodeo soon. There are a few coming up near me.
I love your image. The action is GREAT! Posted: 07/12/2025 03:04:04
I was as high as the stands would allow for this shot. I have not thought of using auto ISO. I think that could help. I will try it as I hope to attend another rodeo soon. There are a few coming up near me.
I love your image. The action is GREAT! Posted: 07/12/2025 03:04:04
Linnea,
I think this is an excellent shot. The expression on the rider's face is fantastic, and the position of his hat in mid-air right above his head is wonderful. As for the background, it doesn't bother me much because the main horse and rider are significantly brighter than the background and so stand out nicely, while the background gives an important context. If you do want to tweak it, my suggestion, as opposed to blurring it, would be to make the main subject pop out more by playing with relative amounts of contrast, brightness and saturation. See my visual feedback: I did a mask of the main subject and increased brightness, contrast and saturation a little. Then I did another mask of everything else that is NOT the horse and rider and reduced contrast, saturation and brightness a little. But personally, I would not fret much about the background. Very nice shot. Posted: 07/13/2025 02:32:51
I think this is an excellent shot. The expression on the rider's face is fantastic, and the position of his hat in mid-air right above his head is wonderful. As for the background, it doesn't bother me much because the main horse and rider are significantly brighter than the background and so stand out nicely, while the background gives an important context. If you do want to tweak it, my suggestion, as opposed to blurring it, would be to make the main subject pop out more by playing with relative amounts of contrast, brightness and saturation. See my visual feedback: I did a mask of the main subject and increased brightness, contrast and saturation a little. Then I did another mask of everything else that is NOT the horse and rider and reduced contrast, saturation and brightness a little. But personally, I would not fret much about the background. Very nice shot. Posted: 07/13/2025 02:32:51
Linnea, This is an amazing shot! I love the color and all the action. The background gives it context and color. I think that Rick's idea is a plus. I thought of darkening the background by using the background mask in Lightroom. Here it is, but I don't think that it was any improvement at all. Posted: 07/21/2025 18:56:32
(Group 32)
You might try converting this to monochrome to eliminate the blue and yellow of the fences and gates behind. There is nothing in your fine shot that is essentially a color subject. The white shirt of the rider and the dark color of the horse might look good in monochrome. I am in monochrome group 32, so I always consider monochrome. Posted: 07/26/2025 15:34:31
Linnea, Shooting rodeo is tough, especially if indoors. You captured a great moment with the rider in the air and his hat flying off. All in focus and a great action moment. Higher ISO shouldn't be an big issue with the newer denoise options and programs, getting the shot in focus is more important. Lightroom can help with masking to brighten the rider and horse and darken the background. I know the people, poles, signs and all seem distracting, but they are part of the scene and slightly darkening or even desaturating it a bit might give you what you want. But it's a super shot. Posted: 07/28/2025 20:10:32
You have captured a wonderful action image and I like the way the light is reflecting on the horse. The rider's hat in the air makes the image that much more appealing. The rider's face has so much expression as he is trying to stay on the bucking horse. I really liked the way Alec toned down the background which focuses the attention on the rider. Great job. Posted: 07/29/2025 01:34:27