As artists and craftsmen, it’s fair to say that we are always seeking validation of our work. The word validation is defined as the recognition or affirmation that a person or their feelings or opinions are valid or worthwhile. The word came up in an engaging discussion amongst the foursome in the cab of the pick up truck. We were driving down the winding, dusty gravel road on our way to the salt flats on the final evening of the workshop.

As I looked out into the hills of the sagebrush, I had time to reflect. Consequently, I thought about the people we had met and photographed over the past couple of days. Did they need validation to energize them? What keeps them going to continuously improve? What drives their passion? Of course, the answers were all different when we interviewed them. But, the constant was their openness to sharing their ebbs and flows of their journeys. There was mutual kindness and respect. It was invigorating. Something that my soul had been craving for a long time.

So, at the end of the day, it’s not really about seeking validation. It’s the constant reminder that loving ourselves through the process of owning our story is the bravest thing we will ever do!

Below are the five images that I chose from the Chris Dickinson Photography Workshop.

Joe Dickinson working one of her border collie stock dogs on sheep

Andrea Sponseller gets her Clydesdale, Chip ready to pull the carriage and educates us all about how life slows down when you’re in a carriage.

In the soft, golden hour light, Shane Oliver ropes a calf in the pasture to tag it.

Farrier, Mason Mileski pounds out a piece of hot, orange steel into a new horseshoe.

Hadley Hunting runs toward the photographers swinging his rope with his working dog by his side.

The post Chris Dickinson Photography Workshop | Taking Visual Inventory appeared first on Holly Nicoll Photography.

So I took full advantage of it, spending many hours volunteering, travelling to ranch rodeos, driving down gravel roads, and standing in crop fields. The time went fast, but I feel extremely blessed to have had the experience. 

This year, my agriculture photography inspiration came from 3 simple words, creativity, connection, and credibility. These words were chosen in early January, and have helped guide my learning. I worked hard to produce images that portrayed these themes. They grounded me. These words forced me to focus, experience more, and get better at being a photographer.

Creativity – Pushing your boundaries

Often, when I’m out taking photos of agriculture I find myself in the same settings. Its a challenge to be creative when you’ve been in the same pasture or field many times looking at the same crop or herd of cows. I am guilty of leaving the camera in the bag with a feeling that there’s nothing worth clicking the shutter for. It’s the same story.

During harvest, I learned a valuable lesson while capturing the photo below. I had the pleasure of spending many hours in the combine cab with a good friend. While the conversation was good, I was also on the lookout for the next agriculture photography moment.

Back and forth across the field we went unloading wheat into the grain cart and continuing on. There was a time when we stopped, and I finally saw it. A different view of what I’d been seeing all day. Right from the steps of the combine there it was. Proof that you can always see something different if you look for it. I have many pictures of the combine chewing through the crop, but not with this perspective. It’s different, and it was a moment of creativity. My agriculture photography learning was, ‘Push your boundaries when complacency sets in no matter what you do.’

The combine cab view of a wheat field being harvested near Trochu, Alberta

Connection – Living in the moment

Our lives are busy. I’ve been trying to spend more time living in the moment and not worrying about all of the other stuff pushing its way in. Sometimes it’s not easy. I get off balance often. But when I manage to be in the moment, there’s always a new learning or observation.

The day that I took this photo, I was just plain happy to be where I was, away from my computer, and enjoying the outdoors. Its always fun to photograph a branding. I was super excited because the pen wasn’t your typical corral setting. The background was beautiful with trees and clouds in the sky. The foreground was even better with cowboys and cowgirls to photograph. Dan and Natalie were charged with the roping duties for the afternoon. They got the work done, loop after loop, catching calves and bringing them in for their shots and brands.

There’s a deep connection between a horse and rider. Together, these 2 teams demonstrated their ability to read each other, and maneuver with essence in the pen. It was fun to watch them execute their talented roping and horsemanship skills. Their silent commands and ease helped them to perform their tasks seamlessly.

Afterwards, we drank and ate. We laughed at stories. It was all part of the day. My agriculture photography learning was, ‘Living in the moment brings more happiness than being busy checking off the items on the to-do-list.’

A team of ropers working the branding pen both catch calves at the same time

Credibility – Finish what you start

I believe the greatest occupation in this world is a farmer. Consumers and the rural population are removed from understanding where their food comes from. It puts the agriculture industry under fire by activist groups pursuing their own agendas. Unfortunately they do not take time to ask questions, understand the facts or look at the science behind delivering high quality food.

This image symbolizes the credibility of the agriculture industry. This malt barley crop is ready for harvest. Hundreds of dollars per acre have been spent by the farmer to get this crop to the this stage. Because luck has a big part to play in the success as Mother Nature, and the environment can dictate whether this barley makes a malt grade or not.

All farmers finish what they start. They work hard to produce high quality grain for bread, beer, cooking oils and other proteins in western Canada.

I was up early to get the photo below, and negativity stepped in. I didn’t think that there was going to be the light or the opportunity to get some good images of this crop. Time was ticking because the harvest crew would be in this field shortly. So rather than take the easy way out, and walk back across the road to the house, and crawl back into bed, I decided to wait.

Then, Mother Nature finally showed up. There it was, a spectacular sunrise moving up from the horizon. What I remember about taking this photo was the quiet serenity that surrounded me in the field. I was happy that I waited.  My agriculture photography learning was ‘Finish what you start. Be patient, especially as a photographer. Good things come to those who wait!’

The sun rises over a malt barley crop near Trochu, Alberta

Wrapping up

As a result, I’m really excited about evolving my photography in 2018, and expanding my portfolio. The journey has been incredible. Thanks to all of the people who let me on their farms and ranches to take their photos. I love capturing every aspect of the agriculture industry and sharing it with others.

Now, it’s time to choose 3 new words for this year. Do you have any ideas? Send me a note, and let me know where you will find your inspiration for 2018. They should be words that challenge and encourage you. Make them matter to you, and pay attention to how they influence and change your life. And, just like in photography, if you focus the result will become more clear!

The post Finding Creativity, Connection and Credibility in Agriculture Photography appeared first on Holly Nicoll Photography.

At a ranch rodeo, you can expect to see high quality horses, lots of western gear, and exceptional horsemanship skills. Combined together, it’s the best recipe for an enjoyable day of spectating in a laid-back environment where no one thinks they are better than the other. A refreshing change from other equine events.

Ranch Horses

A good ranch horse does not come cheap. When cowboys and cowgirls are out on the range working cattle, doctoring a sick yearling, or branding calves they depend on their horse. If you want to see some of the best equine mounts, go to a ranch rodeo. Not only are these horses extremely talented athletes, but they are also beautiful to watch and look at.

Paint Horse waiting to work cattle at the Bar U Ranch Rodeo

Geoff Hoar from San Emideo Ranch sorting cattle at Nanton Ranch Rodeo on Little Shufly High

Horse and rider move a cow down the fence in the Working Ranch Horse Competition at the Nanton Ranch Rodeo

Cowboy Gear

Every cowboy wants reliable gear to help them do their jobs daily. It needs to be practical, work well with the horse, and yes beauty is always a nice bonus. There’s never a shortage of custom crafted gear at a ranch rodeo that a spectator can feast their eyes on. From sterling silver to leather, there’s examples of true craftsmanship everywhere.

Little Shufly High shows off a bridle with a sterling silver bit and bosal at the Bar U Ranch Rodeo

Cowboy gear being displayed at the Nanton Ranch Rodeo

Horsemanship Skills

Ranch rodeos exhibit the work cowboys do on a daily basis. The events chronicle the diverse list of tasks they complete throughout the year in rain, snow and heat. A good horseman can stay on a young colt that decides to buck, will calmly sort cattle easily, and rope a bovine of any size. Their skill set is vast, and learned over a lifetime. Many were almost born in a saddle following their father’s footsteps learning about horses, cows, and living the western lifestyle.

Jared Sherman from Soderglen Ranches in the Team Sorting at the Bar U Ranch Rodeo

A cowboy quietly warms his horse up before competing at the Bar U Ranch Rodeo

A young cowboy collects his rope on a quiet ranch horse during a ranch rodeo

I hope you’ve enjoyed these photos from both the Nanton and Bar U Ranch Rodeos. If you have never attended one of these, I strongly recommend it. It’s important for the ranching industry to share their lives with the public. We need to do a better job of showcasing ‘best practices’ and what goes into raising high quality, safe beef for consumers. Congrats to all of the cowboys and cowgirls who won awards and accomplished personal bests. You have the bragging rights now for another year!

The post Ranch Rodeo Ramblings and Photos from Southern Alberta appeared first on Holly Nicoll Photography.