Diana Edelman
April 2026 - Untitled
Original
About the Image(s)
Taken with a Fuji XT5 camera. ISO 500: aperture 8: SS 1/1000 sec.; 161 mm (55-200 lens), using a monopod and slow burst, about 4 pm at the rodeo in Brawley, CA in January.
My goal was to freeze action and capture the animal with some of its feet off the ground and the rider coming off.
In editing, I cropped in to eliminate as many of the background distractions as possible and focus more directly on the action in the foreground. In LrC l adjusted various sliders and tonal graph curves and then used masks to lighten the shadows and the cowboy's clothing and face.
4 comments posted
Diane,
I like this action image. There is a clear center of focus with the action and then there is the supporting cast in the background who are (mostly) also directing their attention to the main event. The crop and adjustments work well. Posted: 04/06/2026 02:05:01
I like this action image. There is a clear center of focus with the action and then there is the supporting cast in the background who are (mostly) also directing their attention to the main event. The crop and adjustments work well. Posted: 04/06/2026 02:05:01
Diane, looks like that is going to hurt! Might crop it a bit from the top, just to focus more on the bull and rider. You could also lighten the bull and rider to get attention right there due to the shade. Great action catch.
Posted: 04/07/2026 20:52:25
Posted: 04/07/2026 20:52:25
Rita,
You are suggesting that I crop down even a little more from the top than I did?
I understand your idea about lightening the bull and rider to draw attention. I am concerned, however, that since I already have lightened it a lot, doing so even more might look artificial. Posted: 04/18/2026 12:49:39
You are suggesting that I crop down even a little more from the top than I did?
I understand your idea about lightening the bull and rider to draw attention. I am concerned, however, that since I already have lightened it a lot, doing so even more might look artificial. Posted: 04/18/2026 12:49:39
Diana
This is a great action shot. Having been to one rodeo, I know how difficult it is to photograph. I think you did a great job of lightening up the original. I like that you captured the scene showing us what was going on, or as Dean says, "The supporting cast!" You've given us the feeling of what a rodeo is truly like. My only suggestion would be to find an image that clearly shows both legs. I finally figured out the position of the rider's legs. Posted: 04/10/2026 02:52:51
This is a great action shot. Having been to one rodeo, I know how difficult it is to photograph. I think you did a great job of lightening up the original. I like that you captured the scene showing us what was going on, or as Dean says, "The supporting cast!" You've given us the feeling of what a rodeo is truly like. My only suggestion would be to find an image that clearly shows both legs. I finally figured out the position of the rider's legs. Posted: 04/10/2026 02:52:51