Tim Stout prepares to rope a mount for the day on the JA Ranch in Texas’ Palo Duro Canyon. I visited the historic ranch in 2007 to get photos for a story we ran in the May 2007 issue. A lot of elements came together to make this a neat image. I think the moon, security light and cowpuncher create a triangle shape that directs the viewer’s eye, while the stone wall, white workshop and night sky give this a romantic feel. Plus, roping horses at dawn is always an appealing scene. I don’t have many opportunities to shoot that, and this has remained a favorite photo of mine.
