Madura bull racing Photo

Photographer’s Note

The island of Madura (off the coast of East Java) is famous for its bull racing or kerapan sapi festivals which take place between August and October each year.
The tandem races take place over about a 100 metre course (just like car drag racing)! It is easy to position oneself against a wall just behind the finish line, gather your nerves and wits, and fire away as the animals bear down. The midday sun creates difficult shadows, but the positioning makes it easy to use the dust and the face of the "jockey" to emphasise the sensation of the very surprising speeds at which these animals actually do run!

alford, gemme, kaud, ninfa_urania, Arusem, verge, hispic, KevRyan, abdolrashidi has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

alford (3817) 2004-11-21 21:18

Wonderful shot Campbell! You can feel the speed and tension just by looking at the rider and the bulls, and of course the dust created by their run. The people cheering in the background also represent how important the race is! Great colors and clarity! Didn't know there's an event like this. Thanks for sharing! rgds!

gemme (43) 2004-11-21 21:18

The photograph is frightening, I can't imagine taking it myself! I wish the jockey's face had been in more direct sunlight, which would have given even more emphasis on his emotion. The framing is quite good. I love it ! (and I'm glad _you_ were against that wall, not me!)

kivar (136) 2004-11-21 21:34

great... you stop the racer, i like your composition and you've well exposed the picture. beautiful job.

benny (629) 2004-11-21 21:47

Magnifique prise de vue,bel instantané, belles couleurs, du bon boulot.

ninfa_urania (799) 2004-11-21 22:50

Hola Campbell: Interesting colors and movement captured in this image, speed, forces, temper and anger and rich details mixed in a beautiful composition. Me to be able to feel that them to come toward my and to think that them to go toward the photographer. The illumination is splendid when highlighting to the beautiful and adorned animals. Saludos Cordiales. *Ninfa Urania*

retesh_gondal (173) 2004-11-21 22:51

great shot...so much energy, excitement, power...great shot you got the perfect angle and emotions on "jockey's" face are great...

Arusem (47) 2004-11-21 23:40

Outstanding image.

Great action shot and I really think you shot this at the right time... the expression on the face conveys a lot and adds so much to the overall feel.

Very nicely done.

kinginexile (2438) 2004-11-22 1:46

Really happy to see your pix(s), Campbell, you have gone places, and thanks for sharing this with us. The picture is great, it's got evrything in the right place, and the action is caught at the right moment, as we can see all the legs galloping, the guy giving it all, at the top of his lungs, and even a bit of excitement from the crowd.
Great TE addition.

dsidwell (9739) 2004-11-22 2:13

Very interesting and exciting action photo! This really intrigues me, and the emotions are strong here.

verge (1237) 2004-11-22 9:15

this is really nice. i can see the adrenalin rush of the guy. we have the same kind of racing somewhere in the south of the Philippines but they usually use water buffalo
and pulling a cart thanks for sharing this now i know that this is not only happening in our country....rgds

Verge

nattocks (19) 2004-11-22 21:36

Fantastic action shot! It really captures the feel of the kerapan sapi.

sandpiper (907) 2004-12-07 15:17

Greataction shot. Excellent composition and colour. Very well done.

KevRyan (22140) 2005-08-07 8:34

A very nicely caught action shot Campbell - well composed - position is everything!!

best wishes Kev

hantulaut (3378) 2005-08-27 13:32

the pictures handle so well, it show your feeling working great when taking this with nikon camera (also with 100-300mm lens). Great work Campbell.

rajhema (1861) 2005-12-13 13:23

Happens in rural India as well. the force is well captured in this. the man's expression and the speed of the bulls are nicely taken. Good one Campbell.

bubai (287) 2006-01-25 1:47