Through the Lens of the American West

A collection of evocative imagery and compelling narratives, crafted to endure.

Lens & Leather

Practical photography insights, gear guides, and behind-the-scenes stories for capturing the authentic West.

Lens & Leather
The Everyday Filter: A Subtle Signature of The Western Lensman Look
The Everyday Filter: A Subtle Signature of The Western Lensman Look

How a subtle black mist filter and three custom presets shape the signature look of The Western Lensman. A behind-the-glass look at the gear and inspiration behind the mood.

Mastering the Rule of Thirds for Western Photography
Mastering the Rule of Thirds for Western Photography

The Rule of Thirds is one of the simplest yet most powerful compositional techniques photographers can use. Understanding and applying this foundational principle will immediately elevate the storytelling quality of your Western images, giving them depth, balance, and visual appeal.

Why Shooting in RAW is Essential for Photographers
Why Shooting in RAW is Essential for Photographers

Shooting in RAW gives you full creative freedom in post-processing, allowing you to enhance colors, recover details, and transform good images into extraordinary storytelling moments.

Behind the Image Breakdown: "Cowboy Jury"
Behind the Image Breakdown: "Cowboy Jury"

At the Ouray County Rodeo, moments of genuine storytelling often unfold quietly on the sidelines. While action happens rapidly in the arena, the real stories can sometimes be found in the subtle, candid interactions happening behind the scenes.

Beginner's Guide: Choosing and Using Presets in Photography Editing
Beginner's Guide: Choosing and Using Presets in Photography Editing

Photography presets are predefined adjustments to image settings that help photographers quickly achieve consistent looks across their images. Think of them as filters tailored specifically to the characteristics and nuances of photographic images.

Behind-the-Image Breakdown: "Solitude in the Trees"
Behind-the-Image Breakdown: "Solitude in the Trees"

I captured this image with an iPhone 5c—a testament to the power of the device that's always in your pocket. Many assume great photography requires high-end gear, but great images often come down to timing, composition, and creative vision rather than just the equipment used.

Capturing Authentic Western Portraits with the Sony A7RV and 24-70mm GM II
Capturing Authentic Western Portraits with the Sony A7RV and 24-70mm GM II

As a documentary-style photographer focusing on the Western lifestyle, capturing portraits that feel authentic and intimate is essential. For this review, I'll explore why the Sony A7RV paired with the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II has become my go-to combination for Western portraiture.

Stories In Every Frame

Photo essays capture the authentic spirit and enduring life stories in the American West.

Stories In Every Frame
Ouray's Ranching Heritage
Ouray's Ranching Heritage

In Ouray County, ranchers and cowboys live by hard work, dedication, and a deep bond with the land.

Vows in the Valley: Adventure Elopements in Ouray, Colorado
Vows in the Valley: Adventure Elopements in Ouray, Colorado

Guest contributor Aubrey Fletcher of Aubrey Beth Photography shares a select group of images showcasing the experience of getting married in Ouray, Colorado.

Ridgway SkiJoring: A Wild Ride on the Snow
Ridgway SkiJoring: A Wild Ride on the Snow

Experience Ridgway's SkiJoring event through breathtaking photos capturing daring skiers, powerful horses, and the spirit of tradition against stunning mountain backdrops.

Autumn's Last Hurrah In The High Country
Autumn's Last Hurrah In The High Country

This photo essay captures the essence of fall in Colorado, a time when, as John Denver sings, “He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below” from "Rocky Mountain High," experiencing the beauty that stretches as far as the eye can see.

Ouray County Rodeo
Ouray County Rodeo

Rodeo holds a significant place in Colorado's cultural heritage and sporting tradition. The Colorado Pro Rodeo Association (CPRA) serves as the governing body for rodeo events throughout the state.

Gold Season
Gold Season

The season traditionally begins in mid-September, with the peak colors often occurring towards the end of the month and into early October. However, several factors can affect the exact timing.

Ridgway Railroad Museum: A Lifeline for Growth
Ridgway Railroad Museum: A Lifeline for Growth

Back in the mining days, Ouray was a haven for fortune seekers, money barons, and opportunists, reaching a population of close to 10,000 people by the 1880s.

Chasing Sunsets
Chasing Sunsets

In the heart of the San Juan mountains, evenings unfold with the warmth of friendship, the glow of campfires, and the beauty of stunning sunsets.

Colona In Black & White
Colona In Black & White

Through a blend of rustic architecture, aging vehicles, and restored landmarks, the images tell the story of a community that has preserved its past while embracing the present.

Ridgway Farmer’s Market
Ridgway Farmer’s Market

It is a beautiful display of our local community, from fresh produce to handcrafted artisan goods and creative crafts, and takes place against the gorgeous restraint of the San Juan Mountains.

Eye Candy In Motion.

IMotion meets emotion. From sweeping landscapes to intimate moments, this collection of cinematic visuals brings stories to life—one frame at a time. Because sometimes, the best way to capture a feeling is to set it in motion.

Advertise & Collaborate

Our partners directly support stories from the Southwest. Partners receive placement in the latest print issues and on the website in the form of in-depth articles for brand promotion.

On The Gram | @thewesternlensman

Field Note 0459 Some moments don’t wait. You see the loop rise, the reins tense, the eyes lock in—and it’s already gone. This one held. Shot on the Western Slope and refined in the new Heritage Leather treatment I’ve been d
Field Note 0454 Left behind or left to rest—there’s a kind of reverence in the way a hat hangs on old wood. No fanfare. Just silence, sky, and the memory of work done. Captured on the Western Slope of Colorado. #TheWesternLensman #Wes
Field Note 0453 Mother Nature's been in a mood lately-serving up more than a few "Hold my beer" moments across the Western Slope. Colorado's always been a patchwork of microclimates, but this spring has kept us guessing. In the middle of a
Field Note 0452 This is tradition on Colorado’s Western Slope — cattle, the American flag, and the enduring spirit of the American cowboy. A piece of Americana I hope we never lose. #WesternTradition #AmericanCowboy #CattleDrive #Wester
FIELD NOTE 0448 You spend enough time chasing the story, and eventually you become part of it. Somewhere along the Western Slope, camera in hand, with no plan but to keep walking. — The Western Lensman #TheWesternLensman #WesternLifestyle
FIELD NOTE 0450 The tools don’t change much. 
Leather halters. Rope hitches. Hardware worn smooth by calloused hands. Every mark in this wall has a story — of horses broke, seasons ridden out,
and the quiet skill passed down without ever
Field Note 0449 — Ritual and Rosin In the moments before the ride, there’s a rhythm: talk low, move slow, tighten the glove, coat the rigging. It’s not just routine—it’s reverence. The arena may roar, but it all starts
FIELD NOTE 0448 Red earth and thunderheads.
The horses stood in the open—watching, waiting, unworried.
Brand marks, rusted signs, and worn tracks...
These are the details of place, not posed—just present. — Western Kodachrome, Esc
Field Note 0446 — Where the Cattle Wait Delta County, Colorado The pens are full. The sun cuts through the slats. Horses shift. Cattle hold their place. It’s not about fear. It’s about rhythm. This is part of the West we don&rsqu
Field Note 0444 Western Slope, Colorado The kind of day where the sky tells the story and the ground keeps score. Storm edges. Fence lines. Old feed routines. And roads that go quiet before they crest. #thewesternlensman #fieldnotes #stormlightwe
Field Note 0442 They call it a ruin. But the adobe still holds the heat of prayers. The Pecos Ruins outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, are worth a stop if you are in the area. You can read about it in Issue One of The Western Lensman, due out June 1st.
Field Note 0441 It's always the simple things that matter the most. Saturday night at 10K feet in Southwest Colorado. #thewesternlensman #fieldnotes #campfirecowboys #sunsetinthewest #westernsolitude #ranchlife #cowboycode #dustanddistance

Eye Candy In Motion