About the Image

A lone cowboy on horseback fords the Little Bighorn River in Montana as it winds through a pasture at dusk, framed by the vibrant greens of summer grasslands and the blues of the water.

The scene captures a moment of serene determination, as the rider, bathed in golden light, navigates the river crossing.

Fallen trees and lush foliage hint at nature’s raw power, while the calm, purposeful journey across the river evokes themes of resilience, adventure, and the spirit of the American West. The composition balances dynamic movement with tranquil beauty, inviting viewers to imagine the stories that unfold beyond the riverbank.

One of these stories has already been written, on June 25th, 1876. Just a few feet away, on that day, was literally Custer's Last Stand. George Armstrong Custer and 268 U.S. Soldiers died on the hill on the left.

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More Below!

This image was shot a few hundred feet from "Custer's Last Stand" during the annual June re-enactment. Most of the Little Big Horn is owned privately by local American Indians with the major parts of the actual battle ground being owned by the National Park Service.

This crossing is not as easy as it looks, the water is about 2' (0.6 meter) higher than normal due to torrential rains the day before. You can see the last vestiges of sunset at the top of the image.

For Photographers

The Gear:
Canon camera using 100 ISO and 1/1600 second shutter speed using a 
Canon 200mm f/1.8 lens using a 1.4x teleconverter making the effective focal length 280mm and f2.6 (f2 and two thirds) aperture. I used an O'connor 50 fluid head on wood sticks for rock solid support.

The Light:
Blue sky sunset.

I see things differently, which is an advantage to my clients. Being inspired by the beauty of light, motion, and atmosphere... my work reflects the same creativity and attention to detail I bring to every client project, commercial or editorial. Whether you're looking to elevate your brand visuals, tell a compelling story, or capture unforgettable moments with impact, let's create something visually extraordinary together, stills, motion or both. Get in touch to discuss your vision today. E-mail is by far the best way to contact us as we are traveling on average 175 days a year and sometimes well out of cell phone range.

We are based in Los Angeles, California, Atlanta, Georgia, both in the USA, & Milan, Italy, and serve the nation and travel worldwide for projects, both video and stills. On average we travel 175 days a year from all over the USA, to Singapore to Japan, Europe and the Middle East. We are normally in Europe 2 or 3 times a year, mostly Italy and Germany, shooting for clients there.

If you would like to use this image, or any of my images for mock or comp use, please just ask. There is never a charge for this service. Educational use is permitted without charge, unless published, but please ask first. All commercial use is available only with a limited copyright release prior to use from the copyright holder, Steve Thornton. Thanks for looking!