Horse Country Photographers: John A. Stryker

John A. Stryker (1883-1973)

John A. Stryker was one of the first photographers to understand the complicated nature of horse photography. Stryker began his career in the 1920’s as a rodeo photographer in Montana and Wyoming. In 1940 he moved to Fort Worth, Texas where he continued to improve his skills as a photographer, primarily working to shoot horses for ranch owners in the area. While documenting many now famous horses such as ‘Wimpy’ and ‘Poco Bueno,’ Stryker honed his skills positioning and lighting horses to highlight their body and intelligence. His influence as a documentarian and artist are recognized today in modern horse photography.

Four people on black horses are on the right of the photo. On the left of the photo, a woman pulls a rope. The rope is around the group of people on horses.

Horse with white hair and tail stands on a field of untrimmed grass. It is being held by a rope by something/someone unseen.

A dark horse is seen from the side in black and white.

A horse is high up in the air, a man higher up above him holds onto the horse.

A blonde woman rides a horse around a barrel on the right side of the photo. Behind them are stands full of people.

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