cowboy

sad eyes, a hard life? A very telling picture.

(old rodeo man looking for housing, sf, 11/22/06)

archie from texas standing on the sidewalk near the tenderloin. he's just made it here from texas. asked for a photo, says "i don't mind."

archie is an old cowboy. says he used to ride rodeo in sf. says he still has a son in san francisco and points across the way.

archie's face tells stories. he bends slightly and walks slowly. he has aged.

as i approach he is about to cross the street. a heavyset transgender woman stands in front, says something over her shoulder and crosses the street.

a few minutes later she returns. she is his son. she takes his hand, pointing to a place where he can apply for housing. he follows.

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Comments

ronWLS says:

Very moving portrait. Another powerful image Tom. Thanks as always for sharing.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

noahg. says:

Spectacular... Really amazing.

123
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

barvault says:

This is pretty amazing to see this the day before we all stuff ourselves with food and goods! You do fascinating work---and it need to be seen often by many people...
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

WeMeantDemocracy says:

You have a way of capturing my city that I truly admire.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

ggiggs says:

i love reading the storys that go along with the photo.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Mylens* says:

Yes, probably the story you've told us is written in his face.
Great street portrait.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

gregpphoto says:

crazy detail and emotion. I love the fact that you get to know the people you photograph instead of just snapping pictures.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

modowd says:

Your portraits are absolutely fantastic, and I admire you for taking the time to hear their stories.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

roselover says:

there's a lot of living in his face - great portrait
1-2-3
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

mag.m says:

his whole life seems to be written in his face, in every wrinkle and in the look of his eyes.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

* WE * Ahmad & Graça says:

A wonderful portrait and story
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

lewishamdreamer says:

Now that is one amazing face. Sensational portrait.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

diego_osullivan says:

WOW amazing photo man!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Levan Kakabadze (tabu) says:

great!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Kenny and Steve says:

Wow...
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Federico Erra says:

meraviglioso!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

nathalie booth says:

powerful story, beautiful portrait
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

tshane says:

Once again...
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Mike Cohn says:

Nice portrait. Great character lines in his face.
(1-2-3)
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Woodsta says:

nice
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

ollee says:

amazing shot
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

salamandrina says:

great
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Monic@ says:

Great portrait. 1000 wrinkles one for every experience in life.... Thanks for sharing his story with us.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Paul Presnail says:

and you know he earned every one of those lines. truly exceptional.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

btezra [deleted] says:

~stellar crop/in-camera comp, tight and soooo good~
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

TorontoStreet says:

All of the above.... and thanks for the story.... it really adds to the portrait.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

kitty b wonderful says:

these are great pictures but the stories really make them!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Joy is a Joy says:

wow.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

exhibitj says:

the details on his face is impeccable. How did you meter off this shot?
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

cashhold says:

Thank you for your pictures.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Fayyaz Ahmed says:

i'm spellbound!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Mario.com says:

seems like the typical men whos work in a gas station
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Gnarls Monkey says:

You're a genius! I really love your work! This one is one of my faves. Your story touches me and this picture is absolutely brilliant but deeply tragic as well. Each crinkle tells a story of his life. Great social documentary.
Oh, THX for your comment! And thank you for contacting me. Otherwise I would have missed your excellent photos!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

chris spira says:

incredible picture with an incredible story. yes, thank you for your pictures!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Andpromarkアペ says:

Powerful as ever!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

carf says:

Wow! I've got a guy in my archives that looks just like he could be the brother of this guy, and he has his horse with him.
I must get round to posting it some day.
Wonderful shot!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

KewlGrrl says:

His face has such character.....thanks for sharing his story......excellent portrait.....k :)
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

azli jamil - back in India again :-) says:

He has seen life and it seems to be a sad one...
Is life meant to be sad?
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

n.kiefer says:

u have a wonderful portfolio!

This shot is great..

do you have any books??
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Museum of Dirt says:

Wow.
The diversity of this world is amazing.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

niklens says:

wonderful portrait.....!!!!!!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

natosalt says:

HOLA, saludos desde iquique Chile.

www.flickr.com/photos/natosalt/284411017/

www.flickr.com/photos/natosalt/279177320/
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Nik Romero says:

Amazing Stuff!!! This is exactly the type of emotion that I look for and admire about photography! This is what drives me to use photography as my medium! Thank you for all of the amazing shots and stories that you supply with them. If you'd ever like or would think about taking on an assistant to teach your amazing ways, please contact me! I'd give alot to learn from someone like you.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Harpersbizarre says:

True grit.
Very unique. This one is really special!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

catzinahat says:

another absolutely amazing portrait! you are a master...
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

toneirenlund says:

beautiful wrinkles. thanks for seeing those people.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

paladinsf says:

wow what a powerful body of work,, a look in to the human soul. thank you for seeing and sharing all the best bob
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

izahorsky says:

I love the work that you are doing. You should totally publish a book about those stories and pictures.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

dlemieux says:

i will never forget that face...stunning work
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

Shadow and the Soul says:

Your photos are amazing.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

Hawkeye39 says:

Publish these please!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

Bill Jones Jr [deleted] says:

I'm one of those people who fave your shots without commenting. The reason is simple... I have no words for your talent. The ability to "see" is astounding.

--
Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

JS.Bëd says:

Looks like Georges Bush (a redneck). Excellent pic!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

persnicketydame [deleted] says:

Totally looks like a weathered GW. Excellent work, as usual. :)
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

TheAirstreamGuy says:

I LOVE YOUR WORK!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING. The emotion in your street shots are very humbling.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

The Voice of Eye says:

Holy shit... that's George!!!
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

Ariel.. says:

Yeah he looks like George Bush
Very nice portrait!
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

blue skys photography says:

great shot of leather face
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

TheAirstreamGuy says:

This is in my top 5 favorite photos on flickr!

Your fantastic black and white picture is my winner!
Please add this photo to
flickr.com/groups/bwphotoaward/ Feel free to post this wonderful photo into our weekly and/ or monthly competition
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

pseudonimo51 / roberto russo says:

moltissimo bella
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

luckygirllefty says:

I see George Bush....
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

KerryHalasz (PhotoGirl58) says:

this is one amazing portrait. it could be recent or in the past, local or distant. leaves us with questions (if we hadn't read the descrip.) I like that in a photo.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

Lightsurgery says:

May favourite - probably because of the eyes set against the rough texture of the skin - a brilliant shot. One of many in this great set.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

Allen81 says:

I picked this photo at random to comment on. They are all so moving, sad and beautiful. There is something in the faces and especially the eyes that they all have in common. Thanks also for sharing a little of who they are. That really adds to their Humaness. This is a great body of work
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

.tyler. - Claudio Martella says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Black and White Portraits (Trophied only), and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Old Jingleballicks says:

Interesting photo!

You are invited to post this picture in the Steinbeck Country flickr group.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

ChatOmbre says:

The part in his story about his son made me smile...
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Davide says:

Your portraits are incredibly beautiful, Compliments!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

burnt-fingernails says:

amazing!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Radonich Aleksandra says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called 1 on 1 Old (You must comment on the photo just before yours!), and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

ab_design says:

Simply awesome... Definitely one of the best portraits i've ever seen...
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

kagomejewel says:

he kinda looks like a different version of George Bush. awesome photo.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

DenaKel says:

He does look like an old George Bush. He has his eyes.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

FamilyHistory says:

Just picking up on Allan Frost's comment (10 before this), and what many others are saying: The excellence of these shots is created by the combination of the portrait photograph and the poignant and humanizing narrative.

The narratives are poetry!

For my prelocutors, I put george and Archie side by side... so you can check it out for yourselves!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

buckaroo kid says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Cowboy Outfits, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

.tyler. - Claudio Martella says:

this must be the 100th time i pass here. this is THE portrait.
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

un~touchαble; [deleted] says:

I loved this picture. It seems too sad.
His eyes tell everything.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

rdmsf says:

She is his son...I love this town. Such a great capture. thanks
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

compulsive behaviour says:

Pictures with soul
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Bissingerbooks says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Old Men- Wisdom and Laughter, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

loverfacedotta says:

Hey, Your stuff is amazing! I'm in high school and i'm working on my visual arts portfolio for my college application. I'm working on a concentration set of cowboys. I would really love your permision to include a sketch of your picture. If you could email me at dotta@live.com to let me know if that would be ok, i would really appreciate it! Thanks for your time!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

billpusztai says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Fine Art Male Portraits, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

westhillsgarage says:

his eyes say it all and really make the photo :)
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

wolfhuntress2002 says:

Your Photo is Beautiful!

PeoplePhotos

This photo has been selected for
All About People Award

Please add this image to
All About People – Post 1 Award 2
And tag the photo with " All About People "

WOW! Did you capture the life of this man in his face.....I love this picture!
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

wolfhuntress2002 says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called color free photos, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

YOUR PHOTO DESERVES THIS....
~[black and white]~ Group!

and
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

GiGi LaChapelle el Spanky con Carne says:

I have drank with him at the nitecap (bar in tenderloin) before. We talked about guild guitars and johnny cash.
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

pottlukk says:

He looks like Shemp.
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

chrisridg says:

gnar...
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

thebulletwithin says:

Eyes tell everything.
Posted 6 months ago. ( permalink )

Mustang. says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called black & white collection, anything, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

lionesselsa says:

Your photos are amazing and very emotional. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

JAWS an illusion says:

Hi Friend,
Very Nice Shot.
I'm an admin for a group called People - Life of the time., and we'd love to have this added to the group!

Hearty welcome to join our group.
Posted 4 days ago. ( permalink )

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Taken on November 22, 2006
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cowboy

Comments

ronWLS says:

noahg. says:

barvault says:

WeMeantDemocracy says:

ggiggs says:

Mylens* says:

gregpphoto says:

modowd says:

roselover says:

mag.m says:

* WE * Ahmad & Graça says:

lewishamdreamer says:

diego_osullivan says:

Levan Kakabadze (tabu) says:

Kenny and Steve says:

Federico Erra says:

nathalie booth says:

tshane says:

Mike Cohn says:

Woodsta says:

ollee says:

salamandrina says:

Monic@ says:

Paul Presnail says:

btezra [deleted] says:

TorontoStreet says:

kitty b wonderful says:

Joy is a Joy says:

exhibitj says:

cashhold says:

Fayyaz Ahmed says:

Mario.com says:

Gnarls Monkey says:

chris spira says:

Andpromarkアペ says:

carf says:

KewlGrrl says:

azli jamil - back in India again :-) says:

n.kiefer says:

Museum of Dirt says:

niklens says:

natosalt says:

Nik Romero says:

Harpersbizarre says:

catzinahat says:

toneirenlund says:

paladinsf says:

izahorsky says:

dlemieux says:

Shadow and the Soul says:

Hawkeye39 says:

Bill Jones Jr [deleted] says:

JS.Bëd says:

persnicketydame [deleted] says:

TheAirstreamGuy says:

The Voice of Eye says:

Ariel.. says:

blue skys photography says:

TheAirstreamGuy says:

pseudonimo51 / roberto russo says:

luckygirllefty says:

KerryHalasz (PhotoGirl58) says:

Lightsurgery says:

Allen81 says:

.tyler. - Claudio Martella says:

Old Jingleballicks says:

ChatOmbre says:

**Davide** says:

burnt-fingernails says:

Radonich Aleksandra says:

ab_design says:

kagomejewel says:

DenaKel says:

FamilyHistory says:

buckaroo kid says:

.tyler. - Claudio Martella says:

un~touchαble; [deleted] says:

rdmsf says:

Davide says: