RIP Jay Dusard

RIP,Jay Dusard, great photographer, cowpuncher & jazz musician, from Douglas Arizona. Jay received a Guggenheim grant that resulted in the creation of his first book The North American Cowboy: A Portrait. He became well know for his cowboy portraits and sweeping panoramic landscapes. Not many people know that Robert Redford hired him as the photographer on the set of The Horse Whisperer.
I learned a lot from Jay, although we only spent a little time together. Mostly how to stand quietly behind a view camera and wait for the scene to unfold. I was privileged to watch him print in a darkroom in Jackson Hole. He later sent me this photo, asking me if I knew the name of this mountain close to my home in Alberta....Commonwealth Peak. Rest easy Jay.

great artist

My first workshop (1985...needed some experience with LF) was with Bruce Barnbaum, Harrison Branch and Jay Dusard (Dr. Ferricyanide).

I worked as a mule packer during the summers back then and appreciated that he was not taking his 8x10 portraits of cowboys as an outsider. Never met him again after the workshop, but enjoyed his presence.

RIP

RIP. A giant of our generation

Portrait of Martin Black by Jay Dusard
Jay was a marvellous printer

R.I.P.

That's a shame. I have quite a few of his prints and got to chat with him a few times. Great guy and a really fine photographer.

A couple of photographs Jay sent me back in 2010, of a railroad car in Rodeo New Mexico
72mm XL, old Tri-X shot @ 50 to compensate for the potassium bromide to cut the fog.

His prints have great contrast and tones.

Jay was a wonderful photographer and a real gentleman. Wonderful book on American cowboy along Rio Grande River. Took a workshop from him once , very nice man.