Cowboy Bob (read attached story & please view large)

'Cowboy Bob'.  Bob was sitting at a table at an outdoor festival, and I was taking his picture from afar with a 70-200mm lens.  He looked right at me and scowled.  So I walked over to him and asked "if he would mind if I took his picture".  He said gruffly, "As a matter of fact I would".  Then I started chit-chatting with him about how great his hat was....that I was from Indiana and was going to attend a rodeo the following weekend.....where could I get a hat, etc.......Turns out, he was a self-described former rodeo star, so I was 'speaking his language'.   I talked to him for nearly 45 minutes, and in the end he actually 'asked' me to take his picture.  This was in Missoula, MT, and this was only one of many such encounters I had there this summer. 

Christal...

What a great story.  Your portrait of Cowboy Bob is well composed and tack-sharp.  He looks like a real "character" and you have captured this in a beautiful manner.  Hope you enjoyed the rodeo because they are always great events.  Warm Regards, bb

Please view large and read the attached story. Thanks!

A great capture that brings out the personality of a real cowboy! A great story to match you interesting image! His T-shirt also contributes to the presentation. Warm regards.

Well one thing is for certain...he is NO cowboy.  You were scammed.  He is wearing a Panama, and no cowboys were those. Born and raised in the West, even had my own cattle once, so I oughta know.   Good shot though!  ;)

Quite the character and I must say I'm impressed with your resolve to get a photo.  Really great to see you posting too... Mike

He realy looks he is enjoying the time, as well as the type that likes to show off...;-)). I think you have very nicely caught his character..!

Thank you all for your comments.....so glad you could pick up on his personality, which is what I found interesting about him.  

 

Jake.....come to think of it, you're right.....it's NOT a cowboy hat!  I guess I'm pretty gullible.  But it got me a bunch of pictures of him at least.....this is actually the worst image technically, but I loved his posture and cigar, so I posted this one.  He sure did know his rodeo stuff though.....so I learned a lot from him!  But as Pnina picked up on, he had a lot of bravado, as I'm sure you can tell.

 

I like to look at an image before reading anything and immediately I felt that this man exudes success, being in a state of relaxation and enjoying the moment. The image, IMHO, is very well executed and I enjoyed your comments which makes the photo even more interesting and appealing. 

Great story Christal, and portrait too!

Always good to hear from you, gentlemen!  I'm looking forward to getting back to PN after being away for 4-5 months.  Also looking forward to getting over to your images soon!  Thanks!

That's what I call . . . "Laid back" and it fits the "Montana Cowboy" locale to some degree.

My memories of living in Montana were "when we work, we work long and hard but, when we relax, we relax!"

 

He could very well be a "Cowboy" whom wears his Panama in his leisure time!

You wouldn't expect a Cowboy to wear his Chaps all the time would you?

 

Cheers always,

Jim j.

So good to hear from you!  I didn't know you lived in Montana....why on earth did you leave?  I fell in love with Montana and would love to live there at least part of the year when we retire and are traveling in our RV.  It's a very different lifestyle from Indiana, for sure.  But it was nice that I was there for 4 months so I got the opportunity to immerse myself and experience what it's really like to live there.  Thanks for your visit!

Didn't expect hearing back this soon with you and yours "on the road!"

 

Yes, way back when I was young (way back!) around the age of 11 we moved from Arkansas to Montana! What a drastic change, climate and all!And, the language barrier, you don't hear the southern draw of "ya'll come back now" anywhere in Montana. At 11, I was picked on quite a bit but it was all in fun!

We first lived in Winifred, MT that first winter but we froze out in the old Ranch house that we were living in. My folks bought a house in Lewistown, MT over the telephone, sight unseen, as long as the Realtor could have the Utilities turned on while we made the 40 mile trip from Winifred. That took us all day because of the Snow Storm and the conditions.

 

Over the next 5 years, we lived up on the Ranch in Winifred during most of the Summer months but Wintered in the more modern home in Lewistown. I also spent parts of a couple of Summers up around Fort Benton, MT.

 

Can't say that I ever saw a part of Montana that I didn't like. Always dreamed of going back to live there as an adult but, now with age, I don't think I could take the cold Winters.

 

I haven't been around here much lately but, I do hope that you and yours are having a safe and pleasurable trip.

 

Cheers always,

Jim j.

I've been home since Sept. 6th.  No more traveling for awhile except a week down in the Smokies in October.  I'm trying to play catch up after being gone since May.  You should put Montana on your 'list' (doesn't everyone have a list?)....  :-)   It's magnificent country!