Still: Cowboys at the Start of the Twenty-First Century

M.K. Brown Range Life Series

by Robb Kendrick, Marianne Wiggins, Jay Dusard (Afterword)

The cowboy may well be the quintessential American icon. Robb Kendrick has been photographing cowboys for twenty-five years, creating a magnificent artistic record that recalls the work of earlier photographers such as Edward S. Curtis, whose portraits of Native Americans have become classics. Kendrick even uses an early photographic process—tintype—to create one-of-a-kind photographs whose nineteenth-century appearance underscores how little twenty-first-century cowboys' ways of working and types of gear and dress have changed since the first cowboy photographs were made more than a century ago. In Still , Robb Kendrick presents an eloquent collection of tintype cowboy photographs taken on ranches across fourteen states of the American West, as well as in British Columbia, Canada, and Coahuila, Mexico. The photographs reveal the rich variety of people who are drawn to the cowboying life—women as well as men; Native Americans, Mexican Americans, and African Americans as well as Anglos. The images also show regional variations in dress and gear, from the "taco" rolled-brim hats of Texas cowpunchers to the braided rawhide reatas of Oregon buckaroos. Marianne Wiggins, author of a recent novel about Edward S. Curtis, introduces the volume, and Jay Dusard, a photographer renowned for his cowboy images, provides the afterword. Robb Kendrick tells the backstory of the project in his photographer's notes, while also interweaving stories from the cowboys themselves among the images. Both an evocative work of art and a masterful documentary record, Still honors the resilience of modern cowboys as they bring traditional ways of living on the land into the twenty-first century.

232 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2008

Reviews

[sweet pea · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is an amazing collection of contemporary tintypes of cowboys and cowgirls throughout north america. because of the medium, most of the subjects look like silent movie heroes (or villains) or archival photographs. probably the most fascinating part of looking through the photographs is noting the variations in dress peculiar to different regions - shape of the hat, the chaps, etc. the fact that the subjects were captured as they were is amazing. the personal narratives included are not always easy to read. but, each of them reveals a person in love with their job, the land, and their history. people who would be happy doing nothing else. less a history lesson, this book of antiquated photographic technology is a tribute to the cowboy and cowgirl as they exist today. fascinating and inspiring

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be fair Still: Cowboys at the Start of the Twenty-First Century is a book of tintypes. There are a few essay and short quotes from some of the subjects, all great. But the pictures are amazing! On display in the tintypes are an amazing collection of cowboys from across the continent. If you did not know the images were just created, you would think they would be over a 100 years old. Plus you get to see the difference between buckaroos, cowpunchers and cowboys.

The quotes found in the book help the view see a more clear picture of the subjects in the tintypes. All eat, drink, and sleep horses and cows. Most mention how much they love raising their kids in the cowboy life style because it teaches them to work hard, be self sufficient, and respect life. I found it interesting that the cowboys would have such a deep respect for animals when they know the animals they raise are going to be slaughtered for beef. But who has a better understanding of the cycle and needs of life then someone out on the range 24 hours a day 7 days a week? The men and women in this book gives a true look into our past, our now and I hope our future. I love this quote:

Still was his first choice for the title of this book -- not only because of the dictates of the large-format lens and its long exposures (the subjects had to stand real still), but because he believes in the historical stamina of the American cowboys, in their enduring place in the national image and in the fact that a century from now these people will be part of our energetic, vital, independent spirit, still

[Randy Pollock · Rating 5 out of 5]

A look at the life of the modern cowboy showing their lifestyle and traditions continue in today's world. Using tintypes for this project is a powerful way of showing the history of the cowboy life.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most beautiful photography book I have ever read. It completely blew me away. It also raised my appreciation for cowboy culture severely. It kind of made me wish I was one. I guess you can't give it a better compliment than that.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the use of old technology in this digital age.

[Aaron the Pink Donut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really amazing book of contemporary cowboy photos done in a super old school style (tintypes and such.