The Great American Wild West Show Photo

Photographer’s Note

After a brief 1500 light year trip into the cosmos I landed back on Earth again to continue my National Western Stockshow and Rodeo series. This series has run longer than I originally anticipated. I believe that this is the most underrated event in Denver and I didn't want to cut this too short. This is a huge event and several events are usually run simultaneously within the various complexes. If you want to get a feeling for the real American West, I can't think of a better venue. The weather isn't all that great in January but the National Western Stockshow and Rodeo would be an easy outing either before or after your skiing excursion in the Colorado mountains.

This gentleman is a performer with Great American Wild West Show and I am guessing that it this show is the continuation of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show which toured the globe in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He is showing off his lassoing skills and they were impressive. This group is all for show but many of the stunts and gigs all have authentic historical roots. The workshop photo is one of the Annie Oakley impersonator showing off the official poster for the Great American Wild West Show. She was amazing with her mock gun tricks and her horsemanship (her pistols were not loaded but I am sure that she was a dead aim and her reflexes were lightning fast). This shot was taken a safe distance away with my Sigma 300 F/2.8 lens mounted on a tripod. The lighting in the Events center, where this performance takes place, is much better than that of the coliseum. All of the lights and spotlights are daylight balanced.

gary91, leo61, plimrn, zeca, zmey, avene, JPlumb, gunbud, Bruno40, fulvio52, japiey, Photo65Net, jean11-3, AROBN54, JorgeCK, Didi, melmcree, jwmunro, dareco has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

avene (11140) 2008-01-28 19:29

I'm glad you're back and I'm glad you continue this series with another superb shot. the moment you've caught is just awesome, love the perfect shape of the lasso together with the feeling of movement, easy to imagine the swoothing sound the rope makes. but what I like most is the light, there is something almost hypnotic about it and how it contrasts with the pitch black background. excellent shot, Stan, I like it a lot.
best,
Kristine

tola_ch2004 (496) 2008-01-28 20:23 [Comment]

Show Comment

leo61 (43830) 2008-01-28 21:16

Hi Stan!
Thinking about the difficult light you had here,you did a great job.And you had a good timing to catch the lasso in this position.The totally black background is nice too.
Regards,Leo

plimrn (19754) 2008-01-28 21:28

Hi Stan,
Both the PP and the WS are worthy of being PP; however, of the two, I like the actioon in this one best. I also especially like the drama of t5he light and shadows on the horse. In the WS, that self-satified expression is GREAT!! I've also no doubt that she is a sharpshooter.
HLJ, Pat

gary91 (15321) 2008-01-28 22:34

Hello Stan,
It's me again :o)
This is a great capture mainly because of the lasso loop giving this nice round figure and giving a lot of dynamism to the shot. Very well composed and with nice constrast.
Have a nice day.
Best regards, Christian

JPlumb (3153) 2008-01-29 3:02

Hi Stan, excellent stopped action on the lasso trick, and you've positioned it perfectly. This could be a poster shot for this guy. Excellent lighting with perfect detail on the guy, and a little softer on the horse (as it should be I think). Awesome.

Thanks, John

gunbud (28181) 2008-01-29 5:40

Hi Stan,
Wonderful shot of this classic old timer proudly displaying his wild west skill. Excellent lighting renders clear crisp colors with wonderful shadows on the white horse and the brigtly clad cowboys highlighted by the dark background.
Regards, Tom

zmey (7282) 2008-01-29 6:05

hello, stan

you know what!? this pic looks like a legend... like a rendition of a legend of the great american wild west. marvellous colors. fantastic play of contrasts. light... i even won't go there. and the lasso loop you've managed to capture... priceless! (as my pal george would say here)

my compliments, friend

TFS
kristaps

ps. and the thing i most admire about your compositions: they are so... dynamically balanced... some secret gravy i still have to figure out.

Bruno40 (6442) 2008-01-29 6:43

Hi Stan,
perfectly captured lasso movement, really good. I like also the light control and the contrast with te black bg.
I think that it could have been better showing the entire horse's legs.
A fine work
TFS
Jorge

fulvio52 (8314) 2008-01-29 7:13

Brlliant shot, Stan! Absolutely brilliant!
Your management of light in this one is truly from another planet. Awesome framing, TOP SHOT!
I'll have a beer on it!
Cheers,
Fulvio.

japiey (9521) 2008-01-29 9:41

Dear Stan,

Back from the cosmos.... to the fantastic series....
His actions, lights, and the energy that pours from the subject is portrayed well.
The combination of Blue and White is well managed.The Great American Wild West Show is turning wondrous.
All the best, dear friend.

jean paul

ayansadhu (1499) 2008-01-29 9:41

You have really created a mark of your own my friend...this is an amazing shot from a fantastic POV & composition-wise this is a marvel

scalerman (25787) 2008-01-29 9:45

Stan: perhaps the best of some of your recent uploads. Would yo have preferred to included the horses complete legs? Anyway, sharpness is much better here - the blurred rope works well. Good lights. Back with green. Great note. regards, c

Photo65Net (43096) 2008-01-29 12:30

Stan,
Again superb catch from this performance.
Sharpness, colors, dynamics are excellent.
Beautiful job,
Regards,
JB.

jean11-3 (2799) 2008-01-29 14:57

Hi Stan, the lighting and colours really make this shot stand out.It makes a change to have a view of the back of the horse and the cowboy.You did well to capture the rope in a full circle.
I have enjoyed this series of shots, are there any more?
The picture of 'Annie Oakley' is also interesting.
Tfs, best wishes Jean.

zeca (20026) 2008-01-29 18:48

Hey Stan! Very good capture! The lights are nice and the black background gives a nice contrast, enhancing the nice dynamism of this picture. Well done!
Regards,
Zeca

AROBN54 (10791) 2008-01-30 5:48

Hi, Stan,
it's like I've told you, man, I love these stop action shots and you do them SO well. I love those vibrant colors against that stark, black background. The light is outstanding. I, too, would have liked to seen the horse's feet included, but it is a small point. Great job!! Tahnks and have a great day!!
Shelly

JorgeCK (2600) 2008-01-30 7:30

Hi Stan,
Perfect timing, Incrediable capture of the lasso as the cowboy creates the perfect circle. Good feeling of movement with excellent clarity. Awesome picture.
Have a great day
joRge

mesutilgim (37342) 2008-01-30 11:48

Hi dear Stan,
Again a super shot ! Very nice moment captured. Very good pov and a capture full of dynamism and esthetics. Great colors.
Gogs and TFS
Best regards

PS.Give my best regards to your mum !

Didi (36544) 2008-01-31 3:00

Hi Stan
A very nice catch in a good decisive moment and it's not simple to do it.
Well done.
Cheers.

melmcree (2261) 2008-01-31 14:14

Hello Stan,

I think what is most impressive about this shot is your ability to capture a quality image in such difficult lighting situations. Imagine all the other people who don't have your knowledge hoping they can capture such a "cool" scene. Whip out their point and shoot and start firing way only to find less than expected results. The crazy thing is you did it with film! A fantastic technical shot.

Mel

jwmunro (6257) 2008-02-03 12:36

Hello Stan -

This is very nice! I like the soft effect that the slight motion of the horse and ride give this image. I know the spinning lasso is the focus point but the softness adds to the motion. I am sure some will find the backside view as being not desirable, but it does not bother me one iota. We see the cowboys face fully lit buy the sidelight and that's all that really matters regarding the view. Well done!

thank you for sharing.

John

dareco (17104) 2008-04-10 7:23

Very nice pov and I really like the lighting. Also, I LOVE HORSES!!! :) A beautiful picture. TFS