It is that time of year again. The time when I trade my street shoes and Levis for Ropers and Wranglers. That can only mean that the PRCA rodeo is at the Colorado State Fair. Over the years the rodeo, (and for that matter, the fair) has changed. There used to be matinee performances of the fair on weekends which I still long for. However, I don't think that they will return anytime soon due to higher attendance figures at night performances. So when I go to shoot rodeo at the fair now I have to go out to the grandstand a day or two before the rodeo and hang some sports strobes to light the action. Otherwise the entire grandstand and arena may as well be lit by one lightbulb hanging from a wire.
I use a couple of superclamps and three 100ft extension cords along with some gaffer's tape and Pocket Wizard radio remotes to trigger the lights while shooting in the roughstock arena. The lights are clamped to the rail of the seats in the second level of the grandstand and I cross light the arena by pointing them to the opposite end of the chutes. I also have learned through experience that one of the most important things to remember to take to the rodeo is a rain jacket and some trash bags to use to cover the strobes. The trash bags keep the rain and dirt out of the lights, for the most part.
I miss being able to shoot rodeo during daylight performances. I think I miss a lot of good images since in an 8-second ride I most likely get only two frames. It just takes too long for the lights to recycle for me to get any more than that. I just have to be ready and anticipate what is going to happen next. Hell, I don't always know what "I" am going to do next let alone a cowboy on a crazed animal!
Tonight is the last night of the rodeo but the fair continues for 6 more days. I could shoot rodeo every night if you'd let me. After tonight it will be back to the true excitement at the fair. Looking for the stand that sells the deep-fried TWINKIES!!!!
Til' next time...
