Behind the Lens with Andy Watson: “One of the best” Events of the Season in Sioux Falls
By: Andy Watson
Andy Watson of Bull Stock Media is in his 26th season as the PBR’s lead photographer and has captured nearly every ride in PBR history.
“To be able to freeze that moment and look at it and see everything in it is really cool, and to (the riders) it means a lot,” Watson said. “Every ride is something special, whether it is good, bad, great form or their buddies are in the background.”
This season, Watson is taking fans behind the lens of some of his favorite photos, sharing his thoughts and processes as he covers each Unleash The Beast event.
Below are Watson’s favorite images from the PBR First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard Invitational in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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“It usually looks worse than it is, but wow! I can’t think of anyone that would willingly put themselves in this spot, but it’s all part of our game. These guys are some of the toughest athletes in sports, and the photos prove it. Capturing these moments in time is great, but it’s always better to watch them safely walk away.”
“Knowing where to be while shooting openings gives you a chance to use the pyro and lighting to create stunning images. I love the way the pyro made a great backlight on Shane Proctor, while the spotlights put enough light on his back to illuminate him. Think of it as a really big studio setting with ever-changing lighting.”
“We’ve all felt the effects of this pandemic, but while in the arena, nobody has felt it as much as Flint Rasmussen. It’s twice as hard to entertain half as many people, and he has been putting in overtime this last year. Sioux Falls was our first event back with a packed house. No pod seating restrictions, just good old-fashioned shoulder-to-shoulder fans. The interaction between Flint and the crowd was amazing last week. The constant buzz and excitement yielded great energy, making the event one of the best of the season.”
“Another shot of one of my favorite subjects, Smooth Operator. The predictability of his bucking pattern makes him a great subject to photograph, as well as a great bull for the cowboys to ride. Eduardo Aparecido matches move for move in this photo, showing perfect form.”
“As the race to the World Championship heats up, I’ve got the best seat in the house to watch from week after week. Joao Ricardo Vierra and Jose Vitor Leme aren’t backing down. I like the similarities between these two photos. Just a few rides apart during the championship round of the Sioux Falls PBR, both of these guys are showing World Champion form.”
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