The gauchos of La Pampa (1974)
On a flight from Buenos Aires to Miami I sat neat an attractive woman. We were flying coach and in the conversation I mentioned that I had been trying to photograph the gauchos of La Pampa, but none of the extremely rich owners I contacted would give me permission.
“Oh, I own eleven estancias,” she said. “You can photograph them anytime you like. I’ll have on of my airplanes pick you up. Call me.” I didn’t believe her, we were flying coach! But it turned out, she did own eleven estancias. Here are some of the images I took on three estancias (ranches) in 1974.
The airplanes were used to fly the managers between the estancias
A cup of mate before going to work.
Building and repairing fences is one of the major jobs.
Branding irons heating in the fire.
Better than any Rodeo
In 1963, before I became a photojournalist, I worked as a cowboy on a ranch in Texas, it wasn't that much different.
Castration. El facón, razor sharp and used for castrating as well as eating.
Asado (S. American BBQ)
The breaking in of a horse.
The housing for the gauchos and their family was minimal.
Gaucho Family
The salesperson would come to the estancia
Some of the gauchos liked working with sheep
Sheep shearing, extremely hard work
Hot and hard work
The wool gets baled and weighted.
Sheep shearer camp