So far I have found this thread interesting to say the least. As far as the general rules go they have all been thrown to the wind. Basically what everyone is saying is for me to do what ever I want depending on what I am trying to show with each individual photo.

In most of my photos the extras are cowboys just trying to stay out of the way of the rider. They normally are jumping to the side or climbing the fence to try not to get kicked. They really do not add much to the shot so I try not to include them in most of the photos. If I do this crop it does get tighter.

Those of you that know anything about rodeo know the cowboy’s score for the ride depends on two things. Actually three. First the ride must last eight seconds. Second the bull is scored on how well he kicks and bucks. Third is how well the cowboy rides the bull. If he lasts the required eight seconds his score becomes a combination of numbers two and three.

I guess that is where the story really is. How well he hangs on and how hard the bull tries to get rid of him. Considering that then the tighter crop would probably be the better photo.

Then again, because of the distance these shots were taken from many of them do tell a part of the story. Here is the original of the one photo I posted. It shows the bull being released from the shoot and the gate having just been opened. It is a part of the story. Maybe I shouldn’t crop it at all?

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and opinions. Looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me.

Jim D

I'm not a photographer, nor an artist, I simply like looking at photographs and study them for what they are.

The looser crop gives me a picture of the scene or event. I can see the action, see the dust fly, see the expressions on faces of the various participants.

The closer crops deprive me of all this and directs me to look at a specific as opposed to the whole. Some of the crops take away the bulls legs and it rests somehow on its chest, others just show one person riding the bull!!

I guess it should be all about you and what you want to show but if you are selling the you have to play the game to the rules of the piper. If you take pictures of a rodeo, then should you show the rodeo?

Quick question if I may.
The bulls look like the have the legs of a corgi as opposed to a German Shepherd, are the short legs an optical illusion, or are they really that short?

Nice pictures and nice comments which go to show..

You can please some of the people some of the time,

But

You will NEVER please all of the people, ALL of the time. :thumbup: :wink: