Many of the historic photos that have come down to us lack information. Looking at these two images, I have to wonder--who were they? Where were they? And are they really cowboys?
The reason for this last question is that by the turn of the century, the West was already becoming a tourist attaction. People went to see the sights and as a memento would have their picture taken in Western gear. In some posed images they didn't even leave the big city, they just went to a photographic studio and picked out a costume!
The top photo looks real to me, but the bottom image rings a bit false. Maybe it's the contrast between the ties and the heavy weaponry. Maybe they don't look as hard-bitten as the guy in the top photo. Or maybe I'm reading too much into it. What do you think?
Home to author Sean McLachlan and the House Divided series of Civil War horror novels. A Fine Likeness, the first in the series, is available now. This blog is dedicated to the Trans-Mississippi Civil War and historical fiction, and occasionally veers off into adventure travel when I go somewhere interesting.
Looking for more from Sean McLachlan? He also hangs out on the Midlist Writer blog, where he talks about writing, adventure travel, caving, and everything else he gets up to. He also reproduces all the posts from Civil War Horror, so drop on by!
Friday, March 15, 2013
Wild West Photo Friday: Four Forgotten Cowboys
Labels:
cowboys,
history,
Old West,
photography,
Sean McLachlan,
Wild West,
Wild West Photo Friday
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I think you're clever to have spotted the 2nd is probably a fake. When I studied it, I realized the men (and horse) have no shadows, and their feet seem to be resting on top of what's either mud or sand. Nope, I don't think that one's real.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! :-)
I agree - the bottom one looks fake.
ReplyDelete