James Brosher

The cyclist and the shadow

August 10, 2011

Shot an on-the-fly portrait today of John Cox, who is competing in the time-trial and road-race cycling portions of this year’s Wyoming Senior Olympics. Didn’t have much time to think up an idea so I decided to try a shadow technique I had seen used before for a portrait of Lance Armstrong. I used fishing line to hang the front wheel from his time-trial bike to the ceiling while the reporter who wrote the story, Alex Riley, held the wheel in position using the line. After going all summer without touching our studio lights, it seems like I’ve shot a lot of portraits as of late. I shot a few of University of Wyoming football players this weekend that I’ll post later after they are published.

John Cox, the WYDOT director, poses for a portrait on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011, with the front wheel of his time trial bicycle shadowed in the background. Cox is competing in the cycling time trial and road race in this year's senior olympics.

Wyoming football media day

August 6, 2011

I drove over to Laramie today to shoot some portraits of a few Wyoming football players. While the players were getting ready for the team portrait, I shot a few in-between moments.

Wyoming coach Dave Christensen watches as his team lines up for a photo during the University of Wyoming's media day on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011, at Memorial Stadium in Laramie.

Wyoming strong safety Luke Ruff shares a laugh with teammates as they wait for the team's photo to be taken during the University of Wyoming's media day on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011, at Memorial Stadium in Laramie. — Wyoming strong safety Luke Ruff shares a laugh with teammates as they wait for the team's photo to be taken during

2011 Cheyenne Frontier Days (Part 2)

August 4, 2011

Cheyenne Frontier Days was quite a learning experience for me. It’s the first time I’ve had the opportunity to cover such a large sporting event. In college I covered the Little 500 bicycle race. It was an event that I at the time thought was huge. Not so much. Not to take anything away from Little 500, but it is not as massive as CFD. Ten days can really chew you up and spit you out. It’s quite a grind. I learned most importantly it is a marathon not a sprint. I also learned to bring Claritin to the arena. I’m apparently allergic to rodeo. This made the second week difficult as I battled allergies. After covering this year’s CFD, I’m already looking forward to next year’s event. I now know what to expect and imagine my coverage next year will improve because of my experiences this year.

Shawn Downing from Silver Star, Mont. wrestles a steer during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Kelly Timberman from Mills, Wyo. tapes up his arm before a bareback ride during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Friday, July 29, 2011, at Frontier Park.

2011 Cheyenne Frontier Days (Part 1)

August 3, 2011

Cheyenne Frontier Days was my first experience shooting a rodeo. But to say that CFD is just a rodeo is understating the “Daddy of ’em All.” It’s billed as a celebration of western culture, and it lives up to that description. For ten days, Cheyenne is drastically transformed from a sleepy western city into a booming tourist destination where cowboy hats are the norm. CFD is a very visually diverse event for a photographer. Aside from the rodeo there are events and opportunities for great pictures every day. Downtown pancake breakfasts, parades, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and nightly concerts are just some of the events I had the opportunity to cover this year away from the daily rodeo action. Here is part one of a two-part series featuring 42 of my favorites from Cheyenne Frontier Days. I will post part two on Thursday along with more of my reflections on the assignment.

Jack Osborn, left, 10, and Brayden Wiesen, 11, take a break towards the end of the day inside of a chute during the first go of slack tie-down roping on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at Frontier Park. Several youngsters including the two funneled cattle into chute 9 from 8 a.m. to about noon for slack tie-down roping.

Matt Kenney from Onawa, Iowa hops off his horse and chases down a calf after he roped it during the first go of slack tie-down roping on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Cheyenne Frontier Days: rodeo finals

July 31, 2011

Finally it’s over. Today was the final day of Cheyenne Frontier Days. I wasn’t shooting in the photo pit at the area, which freed me up to roam around a bit during the finals themselves. I spent about an hour inside an area behind the chutes where the cowboys get ready for their rides. During most of the rodeo, I shot from the upper deck down onto the riders in an attempt to get a cleaner background. I’m going to post more of my favorites as a wrap up to CFD sometime later this week.