Miss Indian Rodeo 2012

I had the great pleasure of photographing the 2012 Miss Indian Rodeo, Kelsey Knight, this week, and while some of you have probably seen her photos on Facebook, some of you may not have, so I thought I’d share them here as well.

This one seems to be the fan-favorite:

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And this one is my favorite, I think:

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Oh it’s so hard to choose! I love this one too:

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And this one:

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And the light in this one is gorgeous!

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I’ll admit it. I love them all.

Happy Thursday and Happy Trails!

Winter on the Ranch

Last week we had a thick fog roll in one evening. Whenever that happens and it gets really cold like it did that evening, we get a layer of Hoar Frost on everything. I hurried around that morning so I could get some shots of the scenery, pretty as it was with everything covered in frost. Here’s where I share them with you.

Mile View

Scatter Butte, From the South.

Trees in Scatter Butte Creek.

Camera Shy

Scatter Butte From the East

I hope you’re enjoying your winter!

Happy Trails and much love-

TSDC

Baby Gus

Just before Thanksgiving, the family was blessed with yet another baby! A new grandkid for Granny and Poppy and a new nephew for the cowboy and myself; as well as a new cousin for all the existing nieces and nephews on Zach’s side of the family. Friday, Gus and his folks came up to the house for supper, and while he slept I snapped a few photos. Babies are the sweetest when they’re sleeping, don’t you think?

B&W Gus

I love the little bit of drool on his cheek. He’s sleeping good!

In color, Gus

Sweet boy!

His cheeks and chin are adorable. Someone is not missing any meals!

Sleep, Child

Happy Tuesday and Happy Trails!

2011 Instagram Photos

It’s no secret I love the Instagram app for my iPhone.  And it’s no secret to those reading this blog that I take a lot of photos with my iPhone!  It’s handy, and I somehow manage to take good photos with it!

So I thought it would be fun to pull some of my favorite photos from last year and put them all in one place!

Winter Wonderland

Grazing...

Silhouette

So cute!

I heart my Dino!

moving mares...

Favorite Beer!

Jake the Cow Dog.

Weave This!

Gump in the bosal for the first time:

Hackamore

My two favorite boys, rubbing on Promise.

Sweetness.

Sunflower

Making Hay...

A beautiful sky...

Gumpy!

sunset via the iphone...

Dolce, chewing on some yummy grass!

Chew on this!

A cute newborn chick!

Tweet!

Happy Trails and Happy Friday all!

Just Because It’s Thursday…

December Sunset, B&W

December Sunset

Clouds of Silk, HDR

Grazing, HDR

And so many more!

Happy Trails!

1, 2, 3-Smile!

I figured today is as good a day as any to give you a list of pointers about getting a good photo this Christmas. It doesn’t really matter what kind of camera you have- though some of the point and click cameras do have a setting available for you to “blur” the background, which professional photographers do by setting their aperture. But we won’t get into that today. What we want to discuss today is the basics and where you’d start.

1. Prepare for the shot.

If little Johnny is about to open his gift, be thinking about where he is in relation to the tree, and the rest of the room. Is there trash in the shot, or a big ugly TV? Most photographers move around a lot- so they can see the setting through their lens from different angles. If you don’t like the view, ask the kiddo to move. They’re usually pretty cooperative. And don’t be afraid to set him in the middle of a bunch of wrapping paper if the tree and that are in the shot- it could be really cute! And if little Johnny won’t cooperate and move- then you need to keep reading!

2. Be closer than you think you need to be.

Once you’ve prepared and you have what you see as a suitable backdrop, find out what else you might see in that shot. Is there a leg of Aunt Susan stuck in the frame? If so, turn your zoom off, and use your feet or move your body closer to the action.

Here’s some good examples of being close:

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She’s in the exact same pose for all three shots. I simply changed the way I viewed her through the lens. And while I realize, these are “set shots” I showed you for examples, the rules, they still apply.

And here, I was really close (actually I wasn’t, but my 300mm lense was):

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3. Don’t be afraid to use your imagination.

Move your feet! Experiment with different angles. Take photos, sitting on the floor, in a chair, or standing up, looking down at your subject. If you’re in a well-lit room, try turning the flash on your camera off. And if you’ve lost the manual and can’t figure out how to do it, Google is your friend. Most companies have their manuals online; and if the company doesn’t- someone else does!

This shot was taken from standing on the roof of a pickup:

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This one was taken at eye-level with the subject:
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4. Your subject doesn’t always have to be the focus of the shot.

Sometimes you can create an interesting photograph, but not putting the subject in the center.

Tall Grass

5. Have fun.

If you don’t get the shot you want the first time, just keep trying. There’s nothing wrong with taking 100 photos and only getting 2 that you believe are “perfect”. Just remember what you did and where you were when you got them. All photographers constantly practice making themselves better.

So go forth, shoot, and enjoy the Holidays!

Happy Trails!

I’m Gonna Get You!

The antics of the horses always entertain. This is a perfect example. Kismit, the mare on the right side of the photos (a coming 4yo), is picking on a yearling colt who, for the time being we’ll call Peanut (only because his older brother is called Nutter Butter- yes, like the cookie!).

Kismet was orphaned at 7 weeks old, when her mother, who was pushed into the river (the Missouri) by a hail storm, failed to make the over half-mile long swim to the pasture on the other side of Parker Creek Bay. We lost 3 broodmares and 5 colts that storm; Gump and Dino’s mother and month-old sister among them. Kismet wasn’t found right away, and we assumed her dead; that is until a neighbor called us and told us there was a colt in with his cows. The herd stallion, Silver Bueno Tom, a mare and her foal did survive the swim, and ended up in the pasture right next to where Kismet was found. There were several surviving broodmares and foals, but it was tragic to say the least.

Now she’s a healthy, trouble-maker!

Because he holds his ears sideways more than not, Peanut always looks a bit like Eyore. Maybe that’s what we should name him?

She was really trying to start something!

Maybe if I ignore her?

This isn’t working out so good.

Oh well!

Happy Trails!

Scatter Butte Print

Just in time for Christmas, I’m offering a special on one of the most spectacular photographs I’ve ever taken.

The Scatter Butte print in an 11×28 is regularly priced at $54.99, and from now until Dec 15, I’ll be selling it at a discount of 15% (so long as you purchase through my blog). So the new price is $46.75 with shipping of $10.00 via USPS. If you desire quicker shipping options, there will be an additional charge. Note: These are not signed or numbered. Only the canvases are signed and numbered.

Personally, I think every home should show off one of these gorgeous photographs!

Scatter Butte

Happy Trails, and Happy Shopping!

Make a Funny Face

We went and visited the mares yesterday. I always have a great time when I get to do that. Yesterday was no exception. This pretty, little, bay filly who’ll be named DX CandyCorn is so friendly! She’s by our stud, Poco Tivio Pep (Chachi) out of a mare named DX Toots Zee Pop. She’s got a gorgeous head (Just like her daddy and mama), and is built to chase a cow, for sure! Zach was checking out her teeth and the following are photos of what happened next!

She’s just sure she should show us her teeth now!

At this point it is just becoming a game!

And then Zach decided to scratch her. She was really digging this!

Oh yeah!

What? You’re leaving me?

Well phooey on you then!

I hope you enjoyed her antics as much as we did!

Isn’t she pretty?

And the Winners Are…

A couple weeks ago we ran the Capture Dakota Contest. I only had a few entries, but THREE   of you won! Yes, that’s right.  There were three winners! Three people chose photos that were published in the book- and they all chose the same one to be published!

So will the following three people, please stand up?

Kristy Jewell, Sharon, and Bridget Kurtenbach for your guess on “Coming Home”.

It graced page 5 of the Capture Dakota book and has been used in numerous promotional pieces for the book as well!  The three of you should contact me, at jennifer @ thesouthdakotacowgirl dot com to claim your autographed, 5×7 print of “Coming Home”.

Now, on to who won the latest contest “From the Horse’s Mouth“.

You’re not going to believe this, but Bridget Kurtenbach, you’re the lucky girl!  Get me your info so I can get it to Mr. Kinford and we’ll get your autographed copy of the book to you straightaway!

Happy Trails!

 

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