Ruben Pagan - Luis Fabini - Cowboys of the Americas

In this body of work by Luis Fabini, there are many different stylistic technical decisions of which I appreciate. In some images he demonstrates low angles, which in certain instances makes one feel more involved in the actions occurring due to the sense of the subject being over you. With that being said, a lot of his compositions are very beautifully made in cinematic looking ways. Specifically, they look like still frames of an ongoing story in a movie with the beautiful soft, or dramatic lighting. I also am a fan of the choice of putting some images in black and white, as that really seems to work with the cowboy storyline.

The photographer's intentions seem to be intending to depict the simplified, natural world lifestyle that these cowboys of the Americas live. Fabini was inspired furthermore on this project when he met and spoke to one of the first cowboys on his journey, beginning in Uruguay. The cowboy told him that the 'cowboy' is the land that they tread upon. This spurred Fabini's concept in ways that meant that they live their lives according to the natural world that they have been immersed in. Therefore, Fabini not only highlights the cowboy lifestyle, but more importantly the Earth surrounding their everyday lives that makes them what they are. This of course also entails the enduring relationship between cowboys, horses, and cattle.

I think that the concept of this series is depicted in a very beautifully constructed way through its careful compositions and subject matter. The topic of cowboys and the 'wild west' way of life has always intrigued me. Western films, video games, and toys have always been in my life in one way or another and many other peoples' in society as media has exploited the lifestyle. Their lives have been made popular through action movies including aspects like cowboys vs indians, beautiful animals, and incredible landscapes. In reality, their lifestyles differ from the stereotypes and live more simple, desolate lives indulged in nature compared to the rest.