Why do they do rodeos at night with terrible lighting?

[Tight Knot]

Hi all,

I went to a rodeo, and the lighting was terrible. But these are a few of the almost okay shots i got. Looking for C&C.

Thanks.

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[480sparky75 74]

To answer your question: It's a matter of money. The venue owners don't make more money if they pony up for good 'photographic' lighting. Precious few venues are built with photography in mind.

 

[unpopular]

Watching a rodeo in the middle of a hot Mexican, Texan or Spanish afternoon doesn't sound like a lot of fun to me.

 

[Tight Knot]

To answer your question: It's a matter of money. The venue owners don't make more money if they pony up for good 'photographic' lighting. Precious few venues are built with photography in mind.

I hear that. This "rodeo" was done on a small ranch, that makes it's money by teaching horse riding, trails, and vacation cottages. I don't believe the arena gets used much at night, hence, very poor lighting.

 

[Tight Knot]

Watching a rodeo in the middle of a hot Mexican, Texan or Spanish afternoon doesn't sound like a lot of fun to me.

LOL. This was a once-a-year (that I know of at least) rodeo performed on a cool (68 degrees F) fall evening in Israel.

 

[unpopular]

I thought you were from that part of the world ... which struck me kind of funny, actually

I think rodeo season begins in mid-summer and runs until mid-fall. I've been to a few rodeos. Not really my thing.

 

[Tight Knot]

I thought you were from that part of the world ... which struck me kind of funny, actually

I think rodeo season begins in mid-summer and runs until mid-fall. I've been to a few rodeos. Not really my thing.

First rodeo for me, and to be honest, I wasn't impressed at all. I love horses, but i feel that this was more like a rodeo's kid brother, than the real thing.
I would love to be able to go to a real rodeo one day, but I don't think that this is the right location for one.

 

[unpopular]

They're kind of a rough scene, actually. A lot of drunk cow folk, and worse, cow folk wannabes. Some people are bothered by the cruelty, but I don't know ... being that we eat cows.

 

[Tight Knot]

They're kind of a rough scene, actually. A lot of drunk cow folk, and worse, cow folk wannabes. Some people are bothered by the cruelty, but I don't know ... being that we eat cows.

I don't think that I would want to join the crowd, just photograph them. More fun that way. Doesn't PETA stand for People reading tasty animals?
Just kidding, I eat meat, but don't believe in animal cruelty. NP

 

[unpopular]

... not sure if you can have your beef and eat it too.

 

[pl8fixr]

Ya most situations are what they are. Not a lot of lighting at backyard rodeos. Your pics look fine considering the lighting. I finally got some decent shots when I picked up my Speedlite. I do prefer the daytime rodeo shots for stop action though. Here are some, (excuse the redeye though)

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3. Daytime shot
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[The_Traveler]

Hi all,
[h=2]Why do they do rodeos at night with terrible lighting?[/h]

There is actually a simple answer to this.
The animals have sensitive eyes and they move around too much to keep sunglasses on.

Sometimes the answer is sooooo obvious.

 

[Tight Knot]

Hi all,
Why do they do rodeos at night with terrible lighting?

There is actually a simple answer to this.
The animals have sensitive eyes and they move around too much to keep sunglasses on.

Sometimes the answer is sooooo obvious.

C'mon Lew,
That's why they make goggles. Duh!!

 

[fjrabon]

In a lot of ways, small time 'fake rodeos' are better photographically than more modern 'real' tournaments. Nowadays a lot of the real tournaments they wear helmets, which are great for safety, but terrible for making a compelling image. Also, the backgrounds at real rodeos are littered with sponsorship signage that is highly distracting EVERYWHERE. Shot #4 is better than anything you'd EVER get a real rodeo. If that same image was taken at a 'real' rodeo he'd have on a hockey helmet, a protective vest and there'd be a huge Wrangler sign where the quaint rusted fence is.

 

[Tight Knot]

In a lot of ways, small time 'fake rodeos' are better photographically than more modern 'real' tournaments. Nowadays a lot of the real tournaments they wear helmets, which are great for safety, but terrible for making a compelling image. Also, the backgrounds at real rodeos are littered with sponsorship signage that is highly distracting EVERYWHERE. Shot #4 is better than anything you'd EVER get a real rodeo. If that same image was taken at a 'real' rodeo he'd have on a hockey helmet, a protective vest and there'd be a huge Wrangler sign where the quaint rusted fence is.

Hi fjrabon,
What you say sure makes a lot of sense. My only question still, is why they made it at night. The light was terrible.