[Leica] Some days...

[scott at adrenaline.com (Scott McLoughlin)]

I always thought that when Bush #1 talked about a kinder
gentler America, he just meant Canada :-)  Just joking. Love
Canada. Last vacation I got to take under my own steam
was a long leisurely drive through Gaspe, with stops at
Montreal and Quebec City on the way. Felt like I could
have stayed forever.

On up close action, I mentally  visualized Nachtwey sitting
on the ground in the middle of a some battle, calmly taking pics
while bullets whiz by :-)

But I can imagine an ornery horse or bull might very well be
even more intimidating and genuinely threatening!!

Scott

Ted Grant wrote:

> Scott McLoughlin said obviously without experince;
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Some days...
>
>
> > I think this is GREAT subject matter. Fantastic world of
>
>> possibilities.  Horses are so  beautiful, and people falling on
>> their asses are so dramatic. Really!  It's so macho. It feels
>> so American, but also so very remote at the same time.<<<<
>
>
> Scott I think you might have heard about the world class rodeo in 
> Canada... "The Calgary Stampede?" Internationaly reknowned and it has 
> nothing to do about "feeling so American!" It can also be rather 
> dangerous to cover if you are allowed onto the infield with the riders..
>
>> If one were a) allowed and b) so very foolish, I'd wager that
>> getting up close and personal to this action with a nice ~24-28mm
>> lens would yield some really spectacular and unique pics. Just
>> a random thought.<<<
>
>
> I noticed you presented this as a random thought. That's the best 
> point... "random thought."
>
> However, when these horses come out of the chute they can be as mean 
> assed as one could ever imagine and a photographer standing there with 
> a wide angle lens for something dramatic and spectacular is more than 
> likely going to be the "subject of all the other photgraphers" as he's 
> ass over tea kettle with the horse stomping him into the ground. :-)
>
> Trust me if you are hit by a horse as it blows out of the chute the 
> second the gate opens and it looks like it's coming right at you? 
> There isn't anything on your mind other than "survival instincts" kick 
> in and you do everything to get the hell out of the way as fast as you 
> can. PPppppppictures? Holy sh....!
>
> The worse thing that can happen? You move in what you think is the 
> opposite direction to what the horse is going. Then find yerself 
> facing this animal bearing down on you because you are now freaking 
> out finding you moved in the wrong direction thinking the horse was 
> going the other way... He didn't and you've just stepped in front of a 
> charging train about to collide with you and camera.
>
> Just thought you might have a another random thought about the "wide 
> angle shot?" ;-)
>
> And you are bruised and hurting for weeks! Trust me it's far more 
> bruising and hurtful than being hit by three football players on the 
> sideline when you didn't see them coming. :-)
>
> Best way to look at a rodeo? Buy my book on cowboys! ;-) "Men of the 
> Saddle." It isn't available new, however I've seen a fair number on 
> used books sites. Colour with B&W all about real cowboys.:-)
>
> ted
>
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