Photographing Rodeos

A rodeo is the only sport I like to watch in live. The whole western, cowboy / cowgirl atmosphere is at it’s best at a rodeo. A challenging sport where sometimes the horse or bull actually wins an 8 second moment. But the athletic skills a cowboy has to ride a spinning mad bull or bucking wild horse is phenomenal. Their adrenalin must be pumping with the thrill of it all. Photographing rodeos gets my adrenalin a pumping as well! Need to capture an action that represents the ultimate effect, and do it within 8 seconds. When I photographed with my Pentax K1000, manual film camera, I had a system when capturing action photos. The camera would be all set with metering, focus, and stability. Then as soon as I would see the subject come into view, I would start taking multiple pictures while slowly following it with very little movement. At times a motion blur would occur but added to the overall image. The technique was estimating approximately where the cowboy would come across in location, snap that first view in camera lense at a still point, then follow his movements steadily with the multiple shootings. Years of rodeos, years of practice with the camera, and several different perspectives of action. Rodeo highlights my photography and my sporting interests!

The movie “Grease” and Photographing entertainment

A couple weeks ago my 13 year old son watched the phenomenal movie “Grease” for the first time. And it had been over 20 years since I last watched it as well. What a fun, memorable, and connected experience that was together! We laughed so much and both for different reasons while watching, yet the enjoyment of entertainment was the same. What a thrill for me to be remembering every energized song, the limber dance moves and classic lyrics, every characters name and lines, every nostalgic car, the colorful clothing, and every cool scenario that highlighted this movie. What a thrill watching a younger generation appreciate that era of entertainment. Seeing him getting excited about relating to the cool, charming Danny with a “Greased Lightning” car. Movies will sometimes enrich our dreams, inspirations, memories, and imaginations. As a photographer, I encourage the same with the pictures I create. We tend to be drawn to certain types and ratings of movies just like we are to photographing our favorite subjects and places. Entertainment comes in all forms, all ages, and all enjoyment. A classic “Greased Lightning” entertains any generation in my house!

Photographing Rocks in a Montana River

The textures, colors, lines, shapes, and geometry of rocks and stones are interesting. And when they are viewed in a river, the details of these features seem to be more outstanding. River Rock is stone that has been smoothed by the forces of water and friction so there are no sharp edges. Montana rivers are a beautiful display of unique rocks and stones. The cold waters from mountain snow melt add to the clarity. Photographing river rocks is a creation of art in nature. A picture that reflects two elements of geology as one landscape.

Garage Sales; observing Photographs and memories

Summer brings out the neighborhood garage sales! A great time to shop for bargains and look at interesting items. Whether it be a purple flower vase, collector tea pot, metal chair for the patio, or another cast iron skillet, the spontaneous purchase adds to the fun of observing. Sometimes an antique shows up at a garage sale. And antiques are fun to observe and photograph! Photographing these relics of the past give a reminiscing visual on changes. I came across an old ringer and tub style washing machine recently. Photographing this antique was preferred over buying it. Organized my annual garage sale this past weekend. Never as fun as going to someone else’s. But an accomplished feeling always follows when unused and over stored items leave the home. Photograph the memory and pass it on to someone else to appreciate!

Fireworks for the Photographer

Fireworks on July 4th is inevitable. Photographing the display of lights and colors successfully is not. Timing is important and sensing when to have the camera ready to capture the brightest moment. Taking several exposures and experimenting with different time frames will give you the most success. Celebrate July 4th with creativity, color, and a camera.

Photographing tree fungi for forest health awareness

Forests provide a source of fiber for our needs and recreational opportunities. They also provide water, fish, and wildlife habitats. Forest health is an ecosystem in balance and one that is resilient to changes. A fully functioning community of plants and animals and their physical environment. Symptoms of forest health problems usually can be recognized. Root diseases have important influences on forest ecosystems. All important root diseases in forest ecosystems are caused by fungi. Armillaria is a dominant genera of fungi and hosts on trees like conifers, hardwoods, and shrubs, causing structural root disease. Armillaria attacks trees weakened by defoliators or air pollution. Clusters of Armillaria mushrooms occur near the base of an infected tree. White mycelial fans of Armillaria ostoyae form under the tree bark. Mycelial reacts to varying environmental conditions and other organisms, producing different growth forms or structures, depending on circumstances. As an educated forestry enthusiast and professional photographer, combining the two interests and sharing with others provides a source of forest health through awareness.

Montana landscapes makes a photographer “refeshed” in life

The first time I seen Montana, I was “refreshed” by more then the beautiful landscape views. What I could see was a vast land of color, diversity, adventure awaiting, and a new beginning in life. My then three year old son and I moved to Montana for a fresh start, new dreams, after experiencing a painful year. The landscape welcomed healing and new opportunities. Montana is noted as the Big Sky Country and with that taken to heart, the phrase “The sky’s the limit” suits us greatly. An outdoor woman and photographer that I am, Montana landscapes are always exciting and new to me. And as I photograph each wonderful part of the state I have visited, the landscape reflects a part of my own personal life and how it has changed. I love a great adventure in life and accept change as something positive. Montana is all about changes. The weather is unpredictable for one thing, so you need to adapt to change with that from season to season. But the diversity of this great land changes in different areas and that entices you to look at yourself with the same perspective. Southeastern Montana, known as Custer Country, will always be the first land that I crossed on my journey to a new home I personally fought for. Driving over the high plains that lead me to mountain ranges, and feeling my hopes rise along with each elevation. Yellowstone Country in the South Central part of the state expands an attraction beyond the National Park. A vacation atmosphere that invites me to quaint small towns to meet new, interesting people and photograph historical, architectural details. The Gold West Country of Southwest Montana is a treasure open for more adventure. The Continental Divide runs through a large portion here, something I have always had a fascination with. Like the choices we make, that fine line that divides the flow of water or the flow of life itself. In the far Northwest part of Montana is Glacier Country. The mountain ranges, glaciers, abundance of wildlife, and many rivers define wilderness areas and add to a recreational dreamland for my interests and photography. North Central Montana is called Russel Country representing Charles M. Russell, the Western cowboy artist. Russell influenced many artists, like myself, through his work, dreams, and lifestyles on Montana lands. The colorful rolling prairies in North Central Montana remind me of my childhood in the Midwest. And the lakes here host spring migration to geese, and a comfort to me knowing that I can return to for peaceful waters. Missouri River Country in the Northeast corner of the state has wonderful wide open spaces and the big sky is ever so imaginably highlighted here. The ranch lands and wildlife refuges are an attraction that make me feel at home. There is a ruggedness about this open territory that makes you feel unconfined and free. You can look across the vast country and appreciate hard physical work, acknowledge the wild in the animals that roam, and feel very connected to it all. Montana refreshes me in whatever part of the state or myself that is opened up to view; the mountains, the open spaces, the waters, the people, animals, the sky, the experiences, blessings, and so much more.