WesDotPhotography

Rodeo Clowns Part 2

These guys are incredible. Fearless in what they do to protect the riders during the bull riding. This was the the extreme bull riding show at the Clark County Fair in Ridgefield, Washington a few night ago.
A rodeo clown—also known today as a bullfighter or protection athlete—is a trained rodeo performer who distracts the rodeo bulls. Their main job is to step in and save bull riders from getting hurt or trampled after they fall.
They will run right up to a 2,000-pound bull to pull its attention away from a fallen cowboy. Often touching or pushing the bull on the head.
They wear bright makeup and and wear baggy clothes that helps them move fast and avoid being caught by horns. Over time, safety became just as important as comedy.

Rodeo Clowns Part 1

These guys are incredible. Fearless in what they do to protect the riders during the bull riding. This was the the extreme bull riding show at the Clark County Fair in Ridgefield, Washington a few night ago.
A rodeo clown—also known today as a bullfighter or protection athlete—is a trained rodeo performer who distracts the rodeo bulls. Their main job is to step in and save bull riders from getting hurt or trampled after they fall.
They will run right up to a 2,000-pound bull to pull its attention away from a fallen cowboy. Often touching or pushing the bull on the head.
They wear bright makeup and and wear baggy clothes that helps them move fast and avoid being caught by horns. Over time, safety became just as important as comedy.

DISMOUNT VIA BULL EJECTION SEAT Part 2
Went to the rodeo, tour Extreme Bull Riding last night at the Clark County Fair. What a blast but the light has so dim that I went from ISO 2000 up to 6400. So images aren't as sharp as I would like but it sure makes me now want this in the daytime rather than evening into night.

DISMOUNT VIA BULL EJECTION SEAT Part 1

Went to the rodeo, Extreme Bull Riding last night at the Clark County Fair. What a blast but the light has so dim that I went from ISO 2000 up to 6400. So images aren't as sharp as I would like but it sure makes me now want this in the daytime rather than evening into night.

Let's continue with lessons. 🥹

Just a sneak peek at one of the photos that was a mistake. And why you should NEVER delete images you see in your camera.

Shooting midday is always tricky so I used a fill flash. So I often start out with a blown out shot or two. Or in reality many.
So instead of deleting it when I saw it in camera I kept it. Always learning. I switched up gears and made it super high key.

Last Thursday I was hoping the full moon would rise behind the Space Needle but sadly it did not. At least not from Kerry Park.
But the Seattle skyline at night is never a disappointment.
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/space-needle-dusk-wes-and-dotty-weber.html

The view from Kerry Park in Seattle Washington at sunset is pretty incredible. I am sure sunrise is just as spectacular but haven't witnessed it in person.

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/seattle-skyline-at-dusk-wes-and-dotty-weber.html

Needle

This was certainly a lot more fun than watching the F15 leaving their base in Portland, OR. I still love going and watching them especially when they have their afterburners on.
BUT watching the Blue Angels take off from the Boeing Field in Seattle Washington for their practice is a whole nother ball game. It's not one by one taking off. It's all of them taking off together.

Lesson for today. Research Research Research. And then use the old noggin plus talk to the locals.
Here is what I learned from my quest to photograph the Blue Angels flying past the Space Needle in Seattle.

Lesson One: I knew their schedule for practice on Thursday, July 30 was to begin at 11am. Then heard the day before I left it was changed to 12. So plenty of time to find a bathroom near the TINY Kerry Park area. Closest bathroom was a 10 minute walk but the last one or two blocks was a steep hill. Like San Francisco steep. Barely made it to the bathroom knowing I had at least another 20-30 minutes to get back when I her the jets flying. They had begun at 11am. 😫 Never trust the internet no matter how legit it may look.

Lesson Two: I was shooting the first practices at midday. Every photographers' dream, right??? 🤣 Sarcasm. First practice set = one photo that turned out pathetic. But I at least got something. And from those who follow me already know that I share not just the good but the bad. The last practice of the day would be better as it was to be 3:15 to 4 something. So much better light. But still maybe able to catch a couple shots as the jets past the Needle. Not a whole lot of images.

Lesson Three: Listen and watch what the 'locals' are doing. My friend luckily saw one guy packing up his gear and leaving. So......what's that all about. He was heading down to where the Blue Angels parked at Boeing Field. What a find!!

The last two images were at least for now my favorites.