Kae Cheatham

Until recently, I specialized in 'domestic animal enterprises and rural activities.' That included shooting rodeo and USET events, as well as fairs, pow wows, gymkhanas and reenactments. I started off with SLRs, (My first camera was a Nikkormat FTN) and would still be using them if I could buy decent film.

This picture, of a traditional dancer was taken with my Nikon 6006 a few decades ago, and was one of 50 finalists in a national competition that drew more than 25,000 entries. I was pretty pleased!

Now I use DSLRs and have fully embraced the electronic digital era. No more need to find the right film; I can change ISO in the middle of a shoot; minimal processing fees and no breathing fumes of darkroom chemicals; I can shoot, shoot shoot without worrying about the cost. When I trek about my region giving presentations about writing or Western American history, I always have my cameras with hopes of capturing a unique event, viewpoint or situation.

Graphic arts techniques are applied to many of my photos; it is absolutely fun, but I don't feel a need to use it on everything. The electronic age has added to my artistic abilities. I have designed web sites and have done photo restoration work. I also design book covers and do book layout for print and e-books.

Writing articles put me in a photojournalist category, and I was stringer for a national rodeo magazine, covering some IPRA regional events with words and pictures. On assignment at events, such as dog agility, dressage, or three-day eventing competitions, taught me how to quickly compose and take a picture. Lighting wasn't always optimum, and no time to make many adjustments. Eight seconds for a bull rider to score; maybe two for the photographer to capture the moment--especially if the rodeo is indoors or at night (a flash doesn't recycle fast enough for more than two shots). Now, with no more weekly rodeos in my life, I'm enjoying the slow down and ability to take time with my shots, although I find that composing in the camera is still preferable. I save my photo software skills for digital painting and my freelance work.

Education: college work in School of Architecture & Design; art classes (acrylic and watercolor), several high-end photography workshops; studying and reading about all forms of art and photography.

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