Ken Papaleo: X Marks the Shot: National Western Stock Show, Denver, Colorado.

"X Shot" information.

Camera - Cannon EOS-1Ds Mark III

ISO - 800

Shutter - 1/800 sec.

F/stop - 5.6

LOCATION

1. The National Western Stock Show is located just off I-70, Washington St. Exit.

2. There is a daily schedule of events at www.nationalwestern.com

3. The show runs through Sunday, January 27, 2013.

CHALLENGE

I have shot the Stock Show every year, when working for the Rocky Mountain News for 28 years. Each year, one of the challenges was to get a photo showing how cold it was. This was my goal again last week.

SOLUTION

The first thing I did was to go on a day when it was overcast and 12 degrees. There is a walkway over the outdoor stock yards, that gives you a good look on what's going on. From here I was able to see that the ranchers would wash the livestock, with warm water, as part of the preparation for the show.

The warm water, mixed with the cold air, would cause steam to come off the warm blooded animals.

The problem was that it didn't show up to well. I had to find a dark background for this to work. After looking for awhile, I found it. Black plastic was put up on a fence and the steam was easy to see. I took my light reading off the highlights and the photo came out great. I also shoot some photos inside, just to warm up.

MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS SHOOT.