About the Image

This cowboy advertising photograph was shot in Rio Verde, Arizona just before sunset. It captures a lone cowboy, Craig Marple, riding across the desert as the sky transitions from warm sunset tones into deep blue evening light. The foreground cactus and desert plants frame the rider while the distant mountains stretch across the background. The season is winter and due to having a bit rain the desert is unusually colorful.

The image was created for commercial advertising use with an emphasis on the landscape and the feeling of the American Southwest. The natural terrain, winter desert colors, and fading light all work together to create a scene that feels real rather than staged. The balance between the rider and the surrounding desert was important in keeping the image grounded while still giving it a strong visual presence for campaign and editorial use.

Feel free to share, this is the shortcut link: stpvd.com/26/12

There is zero artificial intelligence used in the creation of this image. I used the old fashion AI... Actual Intelligence.

For Photographers

The Gear:
Canon camera set to 1/160 second shutter speed, 640 ISO and a Canon 24-70 set to 25mm using f4.

The Light:
The main light is ambient with a Lumedyne strobe head inside a LightwareDirect 30"x30" softbox to help open the shadows on her face.

We are based in Atlanta, Georgia, Los Angeles, California, 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!