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A Wet Rodeo - thank goodness for Olympus

Robert Watcher

Well-known member
Anne and I had made plans with another couple, to go to the Exeter Rodeo Tour - - - something that I did on a regular basis when I was a young lad, but not since I've been married.

Turns out that the day was a wet one with a constant downpour of rain. But the rodeo goes on Rain or Shine, so we were going to get there and see a rodeo. I have full confidence in my Olympus E-3 and 50-200 lens in wet conditions, and so that is what I took with me.

The one variable that I wasn't sure of was whether I'd have any vantage point to get a few good shots. I hoped that I'd be high in the stands above the fencing to shoot in with a long lens from a high angle. Being I hadn't been there recently though, I had no idea of the layout or how far away I would be from the action.

Well it turns out that I had an unbelievable vantage point right at the fence a distance on only 30 to 40 feet from the action - - - sometimes less when a bull would come and snort in my face only feet away.

This is a rather large selection of the 782 frames that I took in during the 2 hour show. I shoot in the pouring rain without any protection, while the many other photographers there with their long lense cameras protected them with plastic bags, coats and umbrellas. I got several glances from different ones I'm sure wondering what I was doing with my camera fully exposed dripping from rain. Some of course were curious what this strange looking body and lens were.

All shots with Olympus E-3 and 50-200 SWD using both SAF and CAF, Cloudy WB, and 400 to 800 ISO

1 )
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2 )
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3 )
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Robert Watcher

Well-known member
7 ) A Frustrated Roper
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8 ) Some of the makeshift camera protections - although they would just pop out to grab a few shots on occasion and didn't risk their gear to the elements
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9 )
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Robert Watcher

Well-known member
10 ) As the horses flew by in some of the barrel races, I noticed their beautiful tails flowing out from behind and so concentrated a few shots on those as well
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11 ) The Levitating Hat - a shot from a series where I used CAF and the camera obviously tracked the hat instead of the fallen rider
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12 )
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Robert Watcher

Well-known member
19 ) I was extremely surprised to hear this woman's name announced and realize that I had photographed her wedding some 15 years ago. It turns out that she and her 2 teenage daughters are part of the circuit
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20 ) I roughed it out for 2 hours, like the cowboys
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21 ) Anne snapped this shot of me dripping wet, with her point and shoot
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Ken Tanaka

pro member
Excellent work in very challenging conditions, Robert. You're obviously quite skilled and experienced at capturing both peak action frames as well as b-frame inflection images.

And, hey, it's a good ad for Oly, too. It's sure no sissycam.

An excellent set of images to serve as examples of action/event coverage.
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Robert,

Wonderful series. I know a guy who shoots on the beach and then has his olympus in the shower to wash off any sand, LOL! These are great cameras! For those not in the know, and wanting a film camera, a OM-1 is tiny and one of the best for 35mm and the Yashica-Mat reflex 6x6 cm film camera for 120.220 film is set up like a Rollei but the lens is fixed, at 75 mm I believe. These are two of the greatest photography gear bargains one can buy.

Asher
 

Doug Kerr

Well-known member
Hi, Robert,

Wonderful work.

Rodeo work is extremely challenging (even not in a rainstorm).

Best regards,

Doug
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
13 ) Everyone's favorite - the Bull Riding
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14 )
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15 )
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"What a great American sport!" That's my reaction as I recollect the savage treatment of the ill=fated bulls in bull fighting!

These pictures show the animal might be the unwilling participate in the entertainment of humans, but Im not sure it's cruel to them.

These photographs really show us the thrill the crowd expects as young men pit their skills against the mighty fury of a pissed-off bully! At the end of it, the bull appears unharmed.

Asher
 
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