Suggestions for approach to a "Cattle Drive": Friday morning, the County Fair is going to open with a "cattle drive" down Main Street. Rodeo trained cattle, plus real cowhands...

Twin 1 Loc: Nor California

Friday morning, the County Fair is going to open with a "cattle drive" down Main Street.
Rodeo trained cattle, plus real cowhands, probably cattle dogs.

It will be crowded but I am looking for any suggestions on how to approach this opportunity.
I have a Canon 7D Mark II, wide angle and a 70-200mm lens, I am taking with a Canon M3 as a backup with a 50mm lens.
I can make a couple of locations in the 45 minute drive, just looking for ideas on how to approach this.

Thanks for your suggestions,

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Twin 1 wrote:

Friday morning, the County Fair is going to open w... (show quote)

What kind of picture are you wanting? If I were going to be there, I'd try to anticipate where crowds will gather, with the hope I could capture the "drive" and spectators in the same shot.

Twin 1 Loc: Nor California

rehess wrote:

What kind of picture are you wanting? If I were going to be there, I'd try to anticipate where crowds will gather, with the hope I could capture the "drive" and spectators in the same shot.

Thanks for the response.
I was less concerned about the spectators but more about the animals and the riders. Maybe I will try to shoot across the horns to the crowd on the other side.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Twin 1 wrote:

Friday morning, the County Fair is going to open w... (show quote)

"Rodeo trained cattle" Now that's funny.

I would want to be far enough away to get shots other than close-ups. The 70-200mm sounds like a good choice. Please post some shots.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Twin 1 wrote:

Friday morning, the County Fair is going to open w... (show quote)

Don't, under any circumstances, lay down in the street. Just be safe and stand on the correct side of the street in relation to the sun. OR, IMHO, get a drone for a really different perspective.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

billnikon wrote:

...get a drone for a really different perspective.

Yes! And fly it as close to the cattle as you can. You will get some great reaction shots from them.

mrhea

I did a very short video of the Ft Worth cattle drive last year. I stood across the street as the cattle made a turn onto the main street. Most everyone else was on the other side. I think my vantage point was better (the outside vs the inside of the curve). It's pretty short if you want to take a look at what I mean:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgNUIOV4t1g&t=8s

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

mrhea wrote:

I did a very short video of the Ft Worth cattle drive last year. I stood across the street as the cattle made a turn onto the main street. Most everyone else was on the other side. I think my vantage point was better (the outside vs the inside of the curve). It's pretty short if you want to take a look at what I mean:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgNUIOV4t1g&t=8s

Nice video!
For the OP there are also other videos that can be accessed via the link to give ideas of other approaches.

Twin 1 Loc: Nor California

jerryc41 wrote:

"Rodeo trained cattle" Now that's funny.

I would want to be far enough away to get shots other than close-ups. The 70-200mm sounds like a good choice. Please post some shots.

Actually, "rodeo trained" means that they are used to crowds and noise. A bunch of "Clarabells" from the local dairy would probably spook.
Thanks for the responses.

Twin 1 Loc: Nor California

mrhea wrote:

I did a very short video of the Ft Worth cattle drive last year. I stood across the street as the cattle made a turn onto the main street. Most everyone else was on the other side. I think my vantage point was better (the outside vs the inside of the curve). It's pretty short if you want to take a look at what I mean:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgNUIOV4t1g&t=8s

Very nice video, that helps.
Now I know just the spot to go to. They will be making a couple of turns before they stroll down Main Street.
I hope we can have one or two of those magnificent Longhorns.

Thank you,

ralphfr Loc: Long Island, NY

Verrrrry carefully!!!!

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Lee Trevino once said, "always throw your club up the fairway," for the obvious reason. In this case I think he would advise to stay ahead of your subjects, also for the obvious reason.

jamesl Loc: Pennsylvania

Twin 1 wrote:

Friday morning, the County Fair is going to open w... (show quote)

I'd look for a decent spot with an elevated position where you can see everything and be above most heads in the crowd.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

One important piece of information. "Horses kick to the back and toward the front - CATTLE CAN KICK IN ANY DIRECTION AND DO, FREQUENTLY!"
Secondly - The herd moves as one, so if someone on the other side of the street spooks the herd IT VERY WELL MAY COME RIGHT AT YOU!"
I would look for a spot 6 or 8 feet high on a curve so I could shoot straight up the street and over anyone else and be way away from the cattle and horses.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

billnikon wrote:

...get a drone....

OH YEAH! A drone buzzing close overhead. That'll probably turn a "cattle drive" into a full-fledged STAMPEDE. Be sure to take shots of the destruction, ambulances and EMTs afterward.