Paxton Graf, News Anchor/Reporter for ABC Big 2 News - KMID
Odessa, Texas, United States
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Below are my answers to questions proffered by Paxton Graf pertaining to him becoming a prorodeo photographer. Since it might be helpful to others as well, I offer our exchange as communicated via email.
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Howdy Paxton, Thanks for your questions. I’m pleased to help however I can. Please find my answers to your questions, in the order asked:
(1) Question: How did you get started in rodeo photography?
Answer: I grew up in a rural environment, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, 25 or so miles east of Modesto, California. Modesto is situated halfway between San Francisco and Yosemite National Park. Cattle country, where exposure to ranching was common place all around. I even worked for a local rancher the summer I turned 16 to earn money to purchase my first car. And, on occasion, I attended the La Grange Rodeo scheduled for the spring of each year. But I had never photographed a rodeo until 2018. Once I did for a day in late March of that year, I was hooked. I had shot landscapes prior, especially in Yosemite, but never rodeo. I had also photographed street scenes when traveling internationally. However, rodeo is different, even from other sports. It’s fast, furious, with cowboys and cowgirls, livestock, dust and dirt everywhere. It’s a stimulating environment for the photographer seeking fast action captures.
(2) Question: What steps would you recommend I take in becoming a rodeo photographer?
Answer: Practice, practice, practice. Go to as many rodeos as you’re able and shoot, shoot, shoot. And make application to become a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) photographer. That’s your “ticket” to being able to shoot PRCA events. It’s a tough journey, but worth it in the long run. Also, see my answer to your question number six.
(3) Question: Do you have a particular camera you recommend? If it’s expensive, then do you have a more affordable option you recommend?
Answer: Of late, I shoot with a Canon EOS R1, the top of the line Canon mirrorless designed specifically for fast-action sports, including rodeo. A less expensive Canon mirrorless would be a Canon EOS 5D Mark II. It can be a bit pricy as well. I’m a Canon shooter, but there’s also Nikon and Sony. Their top of the line sports mirrorless digitals will be fairly expensive too. You can always find used, less expensive options on sites like Craigslist on occasion. For example, prior to my R1, I shot with a Canon 1Dx Mark II. It’s a mirrored camera. And, sometimes, I still do (i.e., when carrying two cameras with different sized lenses mounted — wide angle and long telephoto — for a quick exchange). (Canon's latest is the 1Dx Mark III.)
(4) In your editing process, what software do you use and what all are you tweaking as far as tones?
Answer: I use Capture One. It’s ideal for my purposes (i.e., realism with an artistic twist). Tones? Like any post-processing software product, you work with the options it offers, experimenting as you go, until the outcome (the result) equals your expectation. Make your images true as captured, but don’t always follow the rules, as rules are often meant to be broken. So break them, when appropriate, to make the photographs you take your own.
(5) Any tips on taking photos in your line of work?
Answer: Shoot as close as possible, without interfering with the action, and to be safe. Back off if necessary. Shoot low. The lower the better. Use the appropriate lens for what you’re shooting. A wide angle when shooting from behind the chutes or roping stalls, a long telephoto when shooting rough stock from a distance, and an intermediate length lens when shooting from midrange. More than anything, experiment and find what works for you. Practice makes “perfect."
(6) Question: Any other photographers you would recommend reaching out to?
Answer: Without a doubt, Matt Cohen. Matt is the best rodeo photographer, ever! He really knows the business, from top to bottom, and north, south, east and west. In other words, he’s really good. And he offers onsite photo workshops, as well as online instruction. He requires a subscription to join online, but the minor cost is well worth the investment. I took an in-person workshop from him back in April of 2018, after shooting only one rodeo prior. Attending a live workshop is more expensive, but I learned tons. For sure, give Matt a call. The first call is free.
And, finally, encourage your fellow Texans to purchase my coffee table photography book, COWBOYS AND RODEOS. It will help them learn about, and better appreciate, the fascinating world of prorodeo, a sport like no other. And it’s my educated guess that the state of Texas has more rodeos for fans to attend than any other state in the Union.
Hope this helps!
HAPPY TRAILS,
Alyn