21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest The American Experience
452 West - A Hero's Journey

I've always loved behind the scenes -- I want to see how things work, what makes people do what they do, how we make things that are seen in plain sight. So...during the Gardiner Rodeo, I decided to take a stroll and peek behind the studded veil. I was able to walk freely to the behind the scenes area. I peered into the horse pens, watched the cowboys pump themselves up for the events, and watched modern times clash with historic ones. This cowboy looks like he's a man on an island, watching over the waves, the waves that he will ride. It's his solitary moment, back turned to the crowd, all before the storm. It's the American way -- the story of the individual taking on giant obstacles to become the hero of lore.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 06.2021
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Gardiner, Montana, United States of America
Camera: ILCE-7RM4
Copyright: © Kate Ochsman