
A tense competition featuring an old Steam Tractor captivates the imagination of this group of Amish suspender wearers.

Another shot from Rough and Tumble and what you are looking at is two Steam Tractors working as a team to keep the metal shackle in the middle from touching the ground. They both move the same direction and then the opposite and this is no easy feat with the way these machines move at different rates. If you take note the rope holding the shackle is also tied around the waste of each driver. A contingent of Amish and Mennonite kids have front row seats for the action. One note worth mentioning is the fact these guys love to blast their steam whistles which are unbelievably loud, and Let me tell you when you are looking the opposite way standing ten feet from one of these, and they pull the cord, it almost makes you jump out of your shoes!

Rough and Tumble is an organization comprised of folks who have a passion for old steam powered machines, tractors, etc. Once a year they hold what is known as the Thresherman’s reunion which is open to the public and you can see some really cool old equipment there. There are two small steam locomotives that carry passengers around the property and there are competitions to enjoy as well. This is a shot I did of a small section of tractors on display by a barn. This was a pain to do because I did not bring my normal remote setup with me, so I had to fire the flash in the middle of one second exposures and could only guess if I was aiming correctly without the aid of my tablet feedback. I pulled it off but it reminded me how modern tools assist the photographer to reach his creative vision. Just as I was framing the shot there was a group of ten Amish girls who walked right down the middle which I captured but they were blurry due to having everything set for longer exposures. You would never guess there are bleachers just to the left with several hundred people watching steam engines pulling a sled.