This photo was taken at the Great Midwest Pro Rodeo held at the fair grounds in Elkhorn.  As I checked in for the rodeo, I was told I could shoot almost anywhere but that they would prefer me to shoot from the stage looking down.  

    I did goto the stage and found a spot, but with 5 or 6 other photographers standing next to me with the same lenses we were all going to get the same photo.  So I wanted something different then everyone else, so I got off the stage and walked around by the arena.      Wondering around behind the arena was great and got photos that I would not have gotten from the stage.  It also gave me a chance to talk to the athletes and get to know them a little better.  It also made  them more comfortable with me being down their and photographing them.  

    I stayed next to the opening gate during the bull riding.  I had my 200-mm lens on and with the gate opened I just started snapping away.  Bull rides are fast and dont last long so I just held the shutter down and took as many as I could.  But when most photographers are putting their cameras down I keep mine up.  As the bull threw the riders I got as close as I could to the gate, poked my camera through and got this shot of the bull chasing the rider.  Many viewers felt I was putting myself in danger being this close to the bull as the riders ran by.  I was in no danger.  With the gate between me , the rider, and the bull, I felt safe.  Once I snapped this photo the rider jumped up and over the gate as I stepped back as to not get in his way.  

    I was not in that much danger but you never know what could of happen. I suppose the bull could have charged the gate and tried to get over it.  But I felt pretty safe with the gate and the rodeo clowns distracting the bull. Still it is probably a little more dangerous then a craft show.