Cowboys and the landscape of the American West

The landscape of the American West is some of the most spectacular there is, to see this land and witness its magnificence and diversity can be a humbling experience. Ever since settlers migrated to the west, cowboys have raised cattle and worked the land. Over the years the cowboys’ lifestyle has led to the creation of a mythical character, often stereotyped as a romantic hero or a hard drinking and brash troublemaker. I wanted to look at the role of the contemporary cowboy and his relationship with the land, to examine how the land provides a perfect backdrop for individuals at one with nature, and how the peace and tranquillity of the landscape mirrors the temperament of the cowboy. During the yearlong project I visited 45 different ranches in 12 states. The images enclosed are a selection taken from a final edit of 95 and were taken with a 6x6 film camera.