p.1 #1 · First Post — First Rodeo, High ISO, and the Toughest Humans on Earth
Long-time lurker, first-time poster here — be gentle! 😄
This was my first rodeo with a real camera (iPhone previously), and I wasn't confident heading in. With ISOs pushing north of 18,000 and arena lighting focused only on the arena, I wasn't sure what I'd come home with. Turns out grain and grit, along with LR denoise, resulted in some usable photos.
What I wasn't prepared for was how jaw-dropping these athletes are up close. The grip strength to hang onto a rope while 1,500 pounds of angry animal launches every which way is something you have to witness to believe. These cowboys are a different category of tough.
If you've never been to a rodeo, put it on your bucket list. One of the greatest shows on earth, IMHO.
p.1 #3 · First Post — First Rodeo, High ISO, and the Toughest Humans on Earth
Good start and thanks for sharing! Most local rodeos have pretty poor lighting.
That's some big air in #3!!! It's gotta be hard to get the rider's face with the animals moving so much, but you've captured some good ones plus some fun expressions of the cowboys in the backgrounds.
Hint: number your pics so folks can more easily comment specifically on them.
p.1 #6 · First Post — First Rodeo, High ISO, and the Toughest Humans on Earth
Hi @thusly. First, welcome to FM forums. Second, I don't know anything about rodeo, but I like the tight crops. You seemed to have captured the essence of rodeo action. Well done!
p.1 #7 · First Post — First Rodeo, High ISO, and the Toughest Humans on Earth
Nice work. You have captured some nice images. Having never shot a rodeo I don't know if this is possible but I would try to position myself so that the background had as few advertising signs as possible. They really grab attention. Are you shooting as wide open as your lens is capable of? If not try some. It may blur the background a bit.
p.1 #8 · First Post — First Rodeo, High ISO, and the Toughest Humans on Earth
Nice job and very usable images given the high ISOs—par for the course with many indoor arenas and gyms. I might slightly decrease the saturation and add a touch more texture (maybe +10-15 on the slider) to help add detail and balance the plastic look denoise can add but your pics turned at pretty well, especially at normal viewing levels.
