I'll get you by Alex Howen
I have recently discovered the lure of rodeos.
I never thought I would end up at one and more significantly I did not believe I would enjoy the rodeo scene. A visit to the Taralga Rodeo (New South Wales, Australia) at the end of January 2011 change all that.
There is something pure and honest about a rodeo. The heat and dust combined with the athleticism, horsemanship and at times bone crunching courage was for me irresistible. The Taralga Rodeo was a celebration of rural skills that I think urban dwellers forget exist – rural skills still relevant to farming in the 21st century.
I enjoyed the family atmosphere, the serious competition and young competitors having a go. There was none of the bad behaviour found at many professional sports events such as football.
I thought I had met most photographic challenges, well try standing in a permanent dust cloud and sweating profusely while trying to keep the dust out of my camera back pack and gear.
I know rodeos are big in the United States and maybe other places. I felt there was something very Australian about how this rodeo unfolded. I will give some thought as to how to express what this event said about Australia culture.
I think I may be hooked.
Photographed in the late afternoon on a Canon 5D.
Comments
Congratulations your work has been featured in Equine Athletes Feb 5th 2011
Please consider adding it to our March Avatar Challenge
Looking forward to seeing more of your work in the group
Rosemaree & Kristina
Thank you. As I become more familiar with our equine friends I will hopefully contribute further images.
– Alex Howen
This is a fantastic capture Alex and I understand completely how you can become hooked. I sure am.
COngrats on the feature.
Rosemaree
Thanks. Always nice to be featured.
– Alex Howen
Fantastic capture!
Thanks for the feature. While I done a little horse riding, I am very nervous so full marks to those with the skill and confidence.
– Alex Howen
I too have found the same thing in barrel racing. The speed of the animals and the muscles make them amazing subjects. Wonderful shot here.
I have some barrel racing shots I will consider contributing soon. Thanks.
– Alex Howen
really awesome shot!!!!
Thanks. Not easy to get it right with this fast moving event.
– Alex Howen
Excellent shot!
Thank you for looking and commenting.
– Alex Howen
Yes, rodeos are wild alright and this is a wild shot…great capture as all hell is breaking loose yet the pickup blokes are calm and collected in their role. They have as much skill as the competitors themselves and probably more nerve.
The dust is a big problem at Rodeos.
One thing I would love…to get a great angle from down low….hmmmm…but that would put one right in the firing line and therefore not possible unless you are lucky enough to have the action come your way near the fence and you are ready at a low angle….
Great stuff Alex, glad you’re hooked…!
WOW! I have mixed feelings about rodeos, but I’ve got to admit that the color and excitement is unsurpassed. (I worry about the injury to animals.) Anyway, this is a TERRIFIC shot!!!
Thanks. I am also a bit conflicted. I cannot abide bull fights however having watched a rodeo for a day I think I am OK with the event. I did not see any injury except to a human. Much of a rodeo is celebration of country skills and still very relevant to farming.
– Alex Howen
March 2011 Featured only Avatar challenge
Congratulations on your March top ten challenge win.
Rosemaree
Sorry for the slow acknowledgment. Thanks for the congrats. I rather enjoyed photographing these interesting animals. I will do some more.
– Alex Howen