Rodeo help for this Saturday night please

I have been invited to shoot a rodeo this Sat night and I need some advice please. I will be using the 30D with 70-2002.8. I have the 580EX and have been told by the arena owner that there is no problem with using a flash.
My questions are
where is the best position to shoot the bull riding from (I don't really want to be anywhere close!!)
what about using the flash(I think the lighting will be really bad)I have not seen this arena but judging from others in the area, with iso 1600 and 2.8 I may be able to get SS 100-125 that is just not fast enough for bull riding is it.will the flash be of any use??is it acceptable??or a no no

PRS,
I have shot bull riding with same flash and 28- 104 2.8 @ 400 iso ss 250 and got good shots but I was close to the action to close some times. Its best to be in the arena.With the longer lense you may be able to get out at a safer distance and still get good shots depending on light fall off and how fast you want to go on iso. Just make sure you have a safe escape route. Watch out for the judges they have a habit of standing close using you to run interference. You both will be jumping for the same spot on the fence. Bull riding is fun and gets under your skin. If you have a couple strobes and wirless remote for them more light the better and with the bigger glass a safer distance. Most rodeo producers will let you get in the arena at your own risk. Your bullfighters have their hands full with out having to worry about us so take notice of your surroundings if you do get in the ring. Have fun don't get hooked

Here is a couple shots from last one.
http://www.coastaleven​tphotos.com …x.album/183_838​8?i=10&s=1
http://www.coastaleven​tphotos.com …x.album/184_843​3?i=11&s=1

Try being about 50 feet to either side of the shoot on the OUTSIDE of the fencing!!! They usually dont go to far out.....

Where do you place your strobes? I have an opportunity to shoot Rodeo in a couple of weeks, but it will be at a racetrack, so I from what I have seen before they have pretty good lights, also it's at 7pm first night and 2pm on Sunday.

Thanks for all the help I too would like to know how to place the strobes appreciate the great pictures JR hope I will get some to post

In my opinion you're going to need at least 1/800 shutter speed for bullriding. This was was at ISO 400, f2.8, 1/1000. I never shoot my rodeos anything less than 1/500 because it just doesn't capture the action. But that's just me. I'm shooting this weekend as well.

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Where are you shooting this weekend Cowboylife?

My setting for indoors or outdoors night rodeo is len 70-200 F4, ISO 400, f5.6- 4, 1/200 with 50-100 ws from my norman with the sports reflector. Mostly shot form inside the arena.

Wow you guy are still shooting. I'm almost done for the year. I only have one more finals rodeo next month and one bullriding at the end of the year. I guess thats because it gets cold here.

HammerCope wrote in post #4019068
My setting for indoors or outdoors night rodeo is len 70-200 F4, ISO 400, f5.6- 4, 1/200 with 50-100 ws from my norman with the sports reflector. Mostly shot form inside the arena.

Wow you guy are still shooting. I'm almost done for the year. I only have one more finals rodeo next month and one bullriding at the end of the year. I guess thats because it gets cold here.

What is a "norman with the sports reflecto"?

Portable flash system Norman 400B best flash I have ever owned. It is used by many rodeo photographers. Here is the web page to see it for yourself. The sports reflector is for being able to pinpoint your light and push it longer distance.
http://www.photo-control.com/battery_sy​stems_compkits.asp

Wow!I have been looking at the WL1600's to use for some sports venues. Could you explain or provide pictures or your setup? The norman sure looks tough, and a littel pricey. Is this something that would be practical putting on a stand and shooting straight up to illuminate dark rings during boxing matches without interferring? This think almost look like you wear it.

Make sure you are ready even after the rider gets off or is bucked off. Some great action by the bullfighters happens after the ride.

I use WL 1600s for night rodeo and am very pleased. Sometimes the availablity of electric outlets determines where you set up your strobes.

Carl

Outlet space is the reason I still use my norman the most. Yes you do wear the norman on a belt or shoulder strap. It can be mounted on a stand..It only goes to 400 ws but most of the time I use it at 50 or 100 ws. Yes it is very tough. Mine took a kick from a saddle bronc and kept right on going. Another photographer and I took a hammer and pliers to it between perfs and took the dent out.

If I can get it to work her is one I shot a few weeks ago with the Norman.

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