New Mexico Rodeo Council College/High School Challenge

I'm using this blog as a place to post the photo essays that I'm doing for the month of November (got the idea from the DPC thread, but mainly for my own practice since I'll need at least one super polished one for my portfolio).

Here's the first one I put together, to start it off - I shot it before the rodeo started on Friday night. I was covering the rodeo for the paper and also needed a 'wild art' shot, so I went early and shot the people getting ready for it.




Competitors relax behind the chutes before the New Mexico Rodeo Council College/High School Challenge at McGee Park on Friday.

Clay Geronimo of New Mexico State University talks to another rider as he straps on his glove. Geronimo later scored 72 in the Bareback competition.

The last light of the day streams through the dusty air in the stadium as competitors prepare for the rodeo.

Steers destined for the steer roping/wrestling competitions enjoy a snack of hay before the rodeo.

Bethany Whitley, of Blanco, brushes a horse's mane to prepare it for the rodeo.

Competitors circle the arena during the ceremonies before the start of the rodeo.

Some product shots on a red backdrop. Used two $7 clamp lights with t-shirts over them, nothing fancy at all.

My dad reeling in a fish he caught in the river today.

One of the bridges on the natural trails in farmington.

One of my nieces hanging upside down from the monkey bars at the park. I'm really happy with this one, I'm not too good with portraits but I like this.

The kids fishing for tadpoles and guppies in a mostly dry branch of the river. We caught a ton of them and put them in a tank - there's probably hundreds in that spot, and all of the fish will just die when the water dries up. The tadpoles have to grow into toads first, or they're done for too.

This is an old (early-80's or late-70's) road bike that I got at a yard sale a while back. It's rideable as it is, but it could use some work. I'm going to convert it to singlespeed properly, and possibly put on some flat (or riser) bars. I'd like to get a coaster brake hub, too, but I might just stick with the front brakes.