TITLE: My First Rodeo

Growing up in Eastern Canada, rodeo culture was something I admired from a distance. The cowboy life felt worlds away, something I only experienced through the lenses of Western photographers capturing the dust, energy, and chaos of bronc riding in places like Wyoming. Their images planted a dream in me, a dream to one day feel that rush from behind the camera.

When I learned that the Stampede was coming to my city in 2025, I knew this was my chance. I immediately applied for a media pass, determined to step into an environment I had only imagined. The photo you see here was taken at that very event, my first rodeo. Shot under the arena lights, it captures a split second where rider and horse are both locked in raw intensity, the cowboy holding on with grit and focus, the horse mid-buck with its muscles straining and dust rising from the chaos.

I chose to present the image in black and white to strip away distractions and emphasize form, motion, and contrast. Without color, the viewer is drawn to the textures of the dust, the tension in the rider’s body, and the sheer power of the animal beneath him. It highlights not just the sport, but the timelessness of the moment, something that could just as easily have been captured decades ago.

This frame represents more than a rodeo photograph for me. It symbolizes bridging the gap between a dream and reality, between the culture I admired from afar and the one I finally experienced up close. It is a reminder that stepping into unfamiliar territory often produces the most rewarding work.

AUTHOR: Thomas Luscombe (Canada)

I am a photographer based in Nova Scotia, Canada, with a focus on storytelling through portraits, events, and street photography. My work is driven by a desire to capture authenticity—the grit, beauty, and fleeting moments that reveal the deeper stories beneath the surface.

Photography has been a way for me to connect with people and places, whether documenting local events, exploring the streets, or highlighting the raw energy of performance and sport. I’m particularly drawn to the timeless quality of black and white imagery. By removing color, the viewer is invited to engage more directly with light, shadow, texture, and emotion.

My approach balances both instinct and craft: sometimes it’s about reacting to a decisive moment, other times it’s about slowing down to compose and refine. In every frame, I strive to create work that is honest, impactful, and memorable.