The mythical cowboy, whose image has
been shaped by history, fiction and folklore, is unquestionably
America’s predominant symbolic native son. For many people across the
world, a cowboy is the most American thing they can think of. For that
we should be thankful. Much better this noun than a Big Mac or even an
Apple Mac.

The cowboy and the longhorn remain part of
today’s Texas and in West Texas we have built up a strong network of
contacts who are now happy to allow us to drop into their daily lives.
Filmmaking in my mind is a team sport - we are always reliant on the
help and excellence of others. We have invested time in the communities
of western Texas and we are now slowly reaping the rewards.

This
was not an easy frame to take, as the big steer is turning towards my
default flat position on the ground. There is quite an adrenaline rush
at that level of proximity and this is not something to try on your own.
I had seasoned cowboys on the ground right beside me.

I had no
expectation of Ryon Marshall - my go to Texan cowboy - being in pin
sharp focus. It was not necessary for the narrative to hold up. What
mattered was that the steer was flying and that the face and eyes were
pin sharp.

The composition is fortunate, as it does look as if
Ryon is flying. Anything is possible with him, as it certainly isn’t his
first rodeo.
~ David Yarrow