Art vs. Reality

Sometimes when I am shooting an event, I get a chance to do some of the photos in an artistic way--just for me.  As much as I'd like to say this shot was planned precisely to represent the angst and fluidity of the rider on the bareback bronc, I can't.  This photo--among others--is due essentially to the low light levels that occurred at about the same the moment as the main rodeo events began for Stawberry Days Thursday night.

I shot almost 300 pictures of the pre-rodeo events, i.e., the Mutton Busting and the Cash Cow events.  But the night was overcast--following a terrific windstorm--and the arena lights came up and sent my light meter into overdrive trying to figure out what to do.

And this kind of "cowboy in action" shot is what I ended up with.

Still, someday, when I have a gallery show of my work, you may find this shot blown up poster size and hanging in a museum.  But then again, probably not.