kenievans Loc: Dallas

Went down to see my Pop this Sunday. I had made his favorite cake and two batches of homemade ice cream, pineapple and vanilla still in the freezers. In the rush to get everything loaded and not spill salted ice water all over the inside of my car I forgot my camera bag so all I had was my cell phone. I have shot many times at my Pop's so I wasn't too concerned until my brother arrived with Pop's new horse that was young and green (inexperienced) and they decided to work him in the corral. Working means riding around the corral practicing reining, stopping etc while sometimes waving a bright orange flag on a pole at the horse. Depending on the temperament and greeness of the horse this could result in all kinds of reactions including trying to toss the rider. My Pop is 76 and has ridden almost daily all his life. Although strong and relatively healthy he does not belong on the back of a bucking horse. Don't tell him I said that though. Thankfully my brother rode while Pop advised and assisted.

I thought well darn the horse may blow up and put on a rodeo and I don't have my camera. I pulled out the cell phone in anticipation. Not that I wished harm on my little brother. He has been riding since before he could walk and he is not 76. I wanted an action shot! The young horse turned out to be very cooperative, even tempered, and only skipped around a few times after Pop took him off the lead rope. Nothing my brother couldn't handle. I didn't get the shot I was hoping for but I think I got a shot that tells a much better story. There are so many memories in this photo for me I find it hard to be objective about it. Does it tell you a story?

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NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

You can only work with what you have in front of you. Both the subject and the gear. Seems both you and the horse had a good day. Here in NJ we don't see this photo opportunity pop up very often.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

It tells a great family story, Keni, thanks for sharing.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Great clarity and colors! It doesn't tell me a story like I might infer if the rider were a child. I am curious about the circumstances that are not revealed by the photo alone (needs narrative). No matter - you had a great time and there were no broken bones

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

A copy of this photo belongs in every family member's album. We can't tell that it is father and son, but your family knows that, which will tell the story for them without you having to narrate. For us, this is a nice family photo and the story you told about it conjures up images of horse stories and ice cream that probably went well into the night. In this instance, the best camera in the world was the one you had in your hand at that moment.
Erich

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Story? Indeed it does.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Great story and I love the processing!!!

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

I agree with others it's a wonderful and memorable family photo. Happy to see your dad so active at his age, I'm not too far away from it and seem to be slowing down to fast.🥴

Rathyatra Loc: Southport, United Kingdom

That is a really impressive photo - what processing did you use - never know it was a phone shot.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Thanks for commenting Frank. It's a Texas thang. My brother enters team roping competitions. I want to photograph that. Guaranteed action there.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Thanks Mike. I find it difficult to be objective when shooting family. Glad you enjoyed it.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

I realize that my experiences give me a different story than someone who has not grown up with horses and that's ok. Hopefully the viewer finds their own story in the photo without the need for a narrative. I think a grown man leading another grown man around on a horse is a good story within itself. It just might not be the wall hanger it would be for me or my family.

There have been plenty of broken bones, mine included, just not this time. I have thought several times about getting a point and shoot to leave in my car but then I get photos like this with my phone. Maybe I don't need one.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Thank you Erich. It will be a cherished memory for my family and yes there are lots of horse stories to be told. My brother has written several cowboy poems about his adventures. Maybe I should have him record one and put it to a slide show. That would be a fun project to try and shoot to illustrate his poem.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Thank you sir!

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Thanks Jim! Pop has slowed down but I still can't keep up with him. He is leaving in a couple of weeks for a several month trip to ride mules across the US. Not riding every day but driving across country stopping to ride in places he has always wanted to ride. He bought a GoPro last year so he could record his rides, edit them and put them to music. He sends me photos from his GoPro to edit for him. I am impressed with the quality of that little camera.