Dr Isaac Vaisman, APSA, PPSA
October 2025 - Holding Till the End
About the Image(s)
Title: Holding Till the End
Image created at the Homestead Rodeo in Florida with a Nikon Z9 and the Nikkor Z zoom lens 100-400. The rider really held tightly so as not to be thrown by the horse.
Lens: 100mm-400mm zoom f/4.5-5.6 @ 230 mm
Settings: ISO 900 (AUTO), f/8 and 1/2500 sec.
The image was PP in LightRoom and cropped.
4 comments posted
Hey Isaac,
I've never photographed a rodeo before - in fact, I've never even been to one - so I might be completely misreading the situation. But I was curious why you didn't shoot with the aperture wide open. I feel like that could have given the image a bit more bokeh and better depth separation.
I'm not a Nikon user myself, but I've worked with the Z9 before (though not with the 100-400). From my experience, the autofocus is excellent, and even at f/4.5 it should stay nice and sharp on the rider. Posted: 10/13/2025 21:29:21
I've never photographed a rodeo before - in fact, I've never even been to one - so I might be completely misreading the situation. But I was curious why you didn't shoot with the aperture wide open. I feel like that could have given the image a bit more bokeh and better depth separation.
I'm not a Nikon user myself, but I've worked with the Z9 before (though not with the 100-400). From my experience, the autofocus is excellent, and even at f/4.5 it should stay nice and sharp on the rider. Posted: 10/13/2025 21:29:21
Andre, even at wide open this zoom lens has very little bokeh, also the short separation between the rider and the background does not help. It is almost impossible the achieve a "clean" background at the rodeo. Posted: 10/13/2025 23:50:09
Hi Isaac. This is the first time I have seen a rodeo photo from yourself. The rider has obviously been thrown to a parallel position to the ground which shows powerful movement in the event. The horse has also been well captured in the side on view, not easy to achieve as many horse photos are directly face on. Background distractions are always an issue with rodeos but yours is not too bad, nothing out of the ordinary. The USA flags to a non-American can have mixed feelings especially with the publicity surrounding your President, in this case they are a distraction. However, the USA flag is often at many events unlike Australia's flag which only occasionally appears. Australians are cynical when it comes to this "flag waving Bul**it". Take no offence USA. Posted: 10/14/2025 03:23:29
Isaac, rodeo always presents opportunities for dramatic image. Your image is why I enjoy shooting at rodeos. Bruce Posted: 10/23/2025 03:40:40