Eight Seconds: Black Rodeo Culture - by Rosen (Hardcover)

About the Book

"'Eight Seconds: Black Rodeo Culture', the first book by Ivan McClellan, offers an inside look at Black cowboy culture across the United States in the 21st century, creating a bridge between present and past through sports, community, and love of the land. In 2015, photographer Ivan McClellan attended the Roy LeBlanc Invitational in Oklahoma, the country's longest-running Black rodeo, at the invitation of Charles Perry, director and producer of The Black Cowboy. Over the next decade, McClellan embarked on a journey across the nation, crafting a multi-layered look at contemporary Black rodeo culture for the new book, 'Eight Seconds'. Whether photographing teen cowgirl sensation Kortnee Solomon at her family's Texas stables, capturing bull riding champion Ouncie Mitchell in action, or kicking it with the Compton Cowboys at their Los Angeles ranch, McClellan chronicles the extraordinary athletes who keep the magic and majesty of the "Old West" alive with high-octane displays of courage, strength, and skill. The book's title refers to the sport of bull riding -- athletes must stay on a bull for eight seconds while it bucks and the more hectic the ride, the higher they score. 'Eight Seconds: Black Rodeo Culture' is edited by Miss Rosen and includes a foreword by Charles Sampson, the first African American cowboy to win a world championship in professional rodeo." --

Book Synopsis

Glorious tributes to contemporary Black rodeo culture across America

In 2015, photographer Ivan McClellan attended the Roy LeBlanc Invitational in Oklahoma, the country's longest-running Black rodeo, at the invitation of Charles Perry, director and producer of The Black Cowboy. "It was like going to Oz--there was all this color and energy," McClellan says. "There was a backyard barbecue atmosphere ... It felt like home." Over the next decade, he embarked on journeys across America, crafting a multilayered look at contemporary Black rodeo culture. Whether photographing teen cowgirl sensation Kortnee Solomon at her family's Texas stables, capturing bull riding champion Ouncie Mitchell in action or hanging out with the Compton Cowboys at their Los Angeles ranch, McClellan chronicles the extraordinary athletes who keep the magic and majesty of the "Old West" alive with high-octane displays of courage, strength and skill.
The book's title refers to the sport of bull riding. Athletes must stay on a bull for a total of eight seconds while it bucks; the more hectic the ride, the higher they score. It's an apt metaphor for McClellan's devotion to this long-form documentary project, which required him to hone his reflexes, endurance and stamina to get the perfect picture. With Eight Seconds, McClellan honors the highest ideals of independence, integrity and grit with intimate photographs that preserve the deep-rooted connections between people and land.
Ivan McClellan (born 1983) is a photojournalist based in Portland, Oregon. His work has been featured in ESPN: The Undefeated and Fast Company. As a designer, he has led projects for Nike, Adidas, Disney and the U.S. National Soccer Team.

Review Quotes

Because the photos are presented without places or dates, this respectful and revealing book can reasonably be taken as a portrait both national and timeless: an ur-text for the recent rodeo turn of Beyoncé, or the heady western meditations of Jordan Peele.--Walker Mimms "The New York Times Book Review"

"Eight Seconds" aims to celebrate Black cowboys' history as well as to reclaim it.--Naomi Elias "W Magazine"

Eight Seconds' captures and embraces the lifeblood that flows through a culture that's been described as a piece of living art. Because of Ivan's sincere desire to fully integrate himself into the culture, he is able to display this respect in his work with such earnestness. And for that reason, his work has an undeniable authenticity that captures this rich culture.--Cary Benbow "F-Stop"

His camera captures the look of determination as the rider fights to stay mounted, one hand gripping a rope while their free arm swings uncontrollably in the air.--Kara Nelson "CNN: Style"

While visually striking and exuding a warmth and comfort possible only after years of interaction, the photos are effective in part because they challenge these long-held notions about who partakes in the sport and what the rodeo lifestyle looks like in the 21st century.--Grace Ebert "Colossal"