13-FEB-2015
The wait, Cave Creek, Arizona, 2015
These men might shortly be riding on the backs of bulls. On the other hand, they may be part of the supporting cast awaiting the start of the event. I found them standing together on a stairway at the back of the arena. The hand railings embracing them form powerful diagonals that pull the eye through the image and compare the symbolic white and black hats. The sign behind them appropriately bears an image of rearing horse. The signage dominates the façade of a make-believe western town that provides the backdrop for the event.
13-FEB-2015
In touch, Cave Creek, Arizona, 2015
I found this fellow wrapped in the glow of his cell phone as he relaxes behind the bull chutes. The diagonal railing and folding chair echo the diagonal thrust of his arms. He holds his phone diagonally in one hand, while his thumb moves diagonally to his chin.
13-FEB-2015
Tradition, Cave Creek, Arizona, 2015
Light and shadow help draw a character study that represents the tradition of America’s Old West. Bull Riding replaced Bull Fighting in the 19th century, while competitions between neighboring ranches and the acts of touring Wild West Shows eventually evolved into the Rodeo. This weathered face may have looked upon a lot of history in its own time.
13-FEB-2015
Starting young, Cave Creek, Arizona, 2015
This young boy is preparing to ride a calf. Surrounded by six grownups, he seems to take it all in stride as his helmet strap is adjusted. There were a number of youngsters in the event. All wore protective headgear and had confidence in their ability to stay on their mounts for as long as possible. There is both a sense of vulnerability and innocence in this image.
13-FEB-2015
Conversation, Cave Creek, Arizona, 2015
Between rounds of the bull riding competition, riders and crews freely conversed with spectators. By shooting over the shoulder of the man in the western hat, I try to make viewers into listeners by focusing on the intense expression of the speaker.
13-FEB-2015
Affirmed, Cave Creek, Arizona, 2015
An instant after I made the previous picture, the intense expression of the speaker turned into an expression of great pleasure. In this image, everything changes – not only the woman’s expression, but the reaction of the man as well, who raises his arm to affirm her spontaneous laugh.
13-FEB-2015
Ready to ride, Cave Creek, Arizona, 2015
A helmeted bull rider, framed by his supporting cast, nervously awaits his ride. His relaxed arm contrasts to the tension evident in his expression. Helmets are now mandatory for riders under the age of 18, but still optional for adults. Bull riding has the highest rate of injury for any rodeo sport.
13-FEB-2015
Out of the gate, Cave Creek, Arizona, 2015
The man at far right uses a long rope to yank open the gate of a “bucking chute,” allowing a bull and its rider to charge into the arena. The “most dangerous eight seconds in sports” begins its countdown at this instant.
13-FEB-2015
High Fives, Cave Creek, Arizona, 2015
The spectators standing to the left of this chute are as important to this image as the bull and its rider. Their hands echo the thrust of the rider’s hand as they send him off on his ride.
13-FEB-2015
Scramble, Cave Creek, Arizona, 2015
This rider has hit the ground, and frantically scrambles in the dust to elude the flying feet of the bull. The men on either side of the bull are “rodeo clowns” who try to distract the bull, and keep it from injuring the fallen rider.
13-FEB-2015
Hanging on, Cave Creek, Arizona, 2015
I made this image at 1/90th of a second, just fast enough to freeze the back of this bull while blurring its head and the moving arm of the rider. The blur adds energy and motion to the scene, and expresses the danger of this sport. The rider’s arm and the bull’s back offer complementary diagonals, both urging the scene forward.
13-FEB-2015
Disqualified, Cave Creek, Arizona, 2015
In this sport, not only time counts, but form as well. Judges score each ride. They will evaluate the rider’s control, rhythm, and balance. For points to be awarded, the rider must stay on the bull for at least eight seconds. The rider holds on to a rope with one hand, and faces disqualification for touching the bull, the rope, or himself with his free arm. This rider is bracing himself by placing his free hand on the shoulder of the bull. He will be disqualified.
13-FEB-2015
Going, going, gone, Cave Creek, Arizona, 2015
This closing image also brings a bull ride to a close. This rider is already sliding off the back of his bull. I place both rider and bull within the context of the arena itself, crowded with spectators and at least two flashing cell phone cameras. Two “rodeo clowns” flank the bull as the rider begins his plunge to the ground. In this sport, the ending usually comes with abrupt finality.
