Jennifer Marano  


Rodeo by Jennifer Marano

August 2022 - Rodeo

About the Image(s)

My photo club did a field trip to a local rodeo - lots of action and excitement and good practice for fast-moving objects! The participants in this rodeo seemed to enjoy dressing up. One of my favorites was a woman barrel racer wearing pearls!

And the unfortunate rider in the attached photo chose to wear a sports coat. Of course they all wore cowboy hats, shading their faces and giving photographers problems, but many of the bronco riders lost them early in their rides.

I never expected to feel under-dressed at a rodeo!


Tech: Sony a 1 with Sony 100 – 400 lens, ISO 320, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec., 224 mm. Processed in Lightroom.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
11 comments posted




Chan Garrett   Chan Garrett
What a wonderful image. This is no less than two great images in a row for you. You have captured the "decisive moment" when the rider hit the ground.
Not only is the background simple and uncluttered, but the composition is very good. The bend of the horse's neck, the position of the front legs, the curvature of the rump and the straight line of the rope being held by the rider, all act as leading lines leading to the subject. Add to that, the fact that the brightest area of the image is the rider's coat all cause the viewers eyes to go first to the thrown rider.
A Magazine cover.   Posted: 08/06/2022 13:52:57
Jennifer Marano   Jennifer Marano
Thank you for your kind words, Chan, as well as your detailed critique! I appreciate your input!   Posted: 08/09/2022 18:15:56



Steven Jungerwirth   Steven Jungerwirth
Agree with all Chan's comments! Great action shot - perfect timing/nicely framed! The shadows/highlights on the horse emphasize his lean musculature. Lots of browns . . . but the texture of the dirt is so different from the horse - that the horse still pops in the scene. Flying tail emphasizes the motion. If you were going to print - might be worth cleaning up few distractions in the dirt (for example, the brown leather strap just under the tail). I'd have loved to see more of the rider's (likely grimaced) face . . . but these scenes are not staged - and the current rendition leaves that to my imagination.   Posted: 08/07/2022 09:02:14
Jennifer Marano   Jennifer Marano
Thanks, Steven! I get what you mean about the strap on the ground, and if I print, I will definitely clean up the image. I was considering entering it in the journalism category of my camera club competition, and rules for that category forbid removing anything except by cropping. I never did get around to entering it, so do need to go back and do some cleanup, as I really like the image.   Posted: 08/09/2022 18:21:13



Cindy Smith   Cindy Smith
FANTASTIC!! I always wait to see what you share, Jennifer, because you get such great subjects and GREAT shots. I really can't add anything to what Chan and Steven said, except that not only does the flying tail show motion, but so do the straps flying from both sides of the horse, and the feeling that the rope looped around the saddle horn is about to fly off. I can see some red in the horse's eye (great sharpness) and the mane is sharp as well. Your images amaze!! I agree--MAGAZINE COVER!!   Posted: 08/07/2022 12:53:57
Jennifer Marano   Jennifer Marano
Thank you so much, Cindy, for your kind remarks!   Posted: 08/09/2022 18:43:06



Will Korn   Will Korn
Agree with everyone, it's perfect. I would add that I see a sort of circle in the curve of the man's body and the horse's body that unifies the image. No distracting elements in the background. Just breathtaking.   Posted: 08/08/2022 09:24:39
Jennifer Marano   Jennifer Marano
Thank you, will! I appreciate your remarks.   Posted: 08/09/2022 18:44:17



Dale Yates   Dale Yates
Great action photo! This image is very sharp and clear, the colors are excellent, and the composition is spot on. I also like the storyline here...a rodeo, horse, action, dirt, cowboy boots, and a sport coat! I can also see some of his expression of "what just happened?! Excellent...thanks for sharing!   Posted: 08/15/2022 09:39:30



Jennifer Marano   Jennifer Marano
Thank you Dale! I appreciate your comments!   Posted: 08/15/2022 12:34:42



Lance Lewin   Lance Lewin
Jennifer! Wow! Great capture! I like the square crop in this case ... it works well.

Well done!!   Posted: 08/17/2022 09:51:37