An NYC Original, a photo from New York, Northeast

Photographer's Note

I had forgotten about this photo until a couple of days ago when I started going back through some older pictures. This has always made me laugh…hope you find it amusing as well. :) Even more than the man himself, I think the expressions of the on-lookers say it all!

Robert John Burck (born December 23, 1970), better known as the “Naked Cowboy”, is an American street performer whose pitch is on New York City's Times Square. He wears only cowboy boots, a hat, and briefs, with a guitar strategically placed to give the illusion of nudity. The public immediately gave him much more money after a friend suggested to him that he dress only in his underwear in order to generate higher earnings.Tour guides on passing buses will regularly point him out. Burck is also a regular in the streets of the French Quarter during the New Orleans Mardi Gras season.

Burck owns the trademark to his Naked Cowboy character and operates it as a franchise. Franchisees must undergo a screening process, and are required to pay Naked Cowboy Enterprises $500 per month or $5,000 per year, which authorizes a person to operate as a "Naked Cowboy" or "Naked Cowgirl".

Noel_Byrne, ikeharel, danos, worldcitizen, macjake has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Noel_Byrne (7329) 2013-03-01 5:31

hi Jason,
Great shot of this very unique character, I have seen him before on TV shows. It must be quite a sight to see something like this in the middle of a busy city street.
Nice for him to know that its that popular he can have a franchise too, thats good guaranteed earning. I wonder if I could do the same with a naked Leprechaun....
Cheers
Noel

Nicou (97637) 2013-03-01 5:41

Hello

Cool comme image quel guitariste en petite tenue dans la rue, superbe scène très originale quel compo et ces botte blanche le chapeau génial.
Bravo et amitié

NMicou

JFS (32107) 2013-03-01 5:43

Thsi is America! If i had such a body, i wouldn't care to play the guitar in the street:)))))))))) Interesting shot!
cheer,
Juan

ikeharel (37280) 2013-03-01 8:05

Hi Jason,
I can see the admiration of people passed by, as you noted this'd be more an interesting subject than the icon himself.
Most interesting how the ladies looking on him, and not only his boots...
Fine moment you managed on picture.
Have a nice weekend,
Ike

danos (73960) 2013-03-01 9:05

Hello Jason,
a really very original scene with the naked Cowboy to catch the eyes of the passing by visitors of the Times Square.I like the originality as the clarity of the scene.

Regards,Danos

arnie (671) 2013-03-01 10:56

Hi Jason,
Great capture, the looks on the passers by are great.
I remember seeing him on the streets of New Orleans in
January 2005.Where,s the naked cowgirl?
Regards Arnie

ACL1978 (5773) 2013-03-01 16:32

I know of the Naked Cowboy from a couple years of living in NYC, Jason, though I tended to stay as far from Times Square as possible unless there were out of town guests around. I had no idea he'd franchised, though - that's a fascinating bit of information! What's even better than his strange image are the reactions of the people passing by - I can see amusement, confusion, and maybe even a touch of shock there. Nicely captured.

Andrew

chrisvek (5445) 2013-03-01 18:24

Hello Jason

So unique composition.Nice focus and colors.ALso very good ligthning usage.Well done!

Have a nice weekend
Chris

serp2000 (29172) 2013-03-05 1:17

Hi, Jason,
Why not? NYC is very warm city, I'd like to see this brave guy here. We have got -30 C... (I don't know on F)I remember I have seen an article about that original cowboy. Good presentation. I can imagine a country music as a support for this scene.
Regards,
Serghei

worldcitizen (4850) 2013-03-05 9:17

Hello Jason,
Ah yes...a Times Square icon. :-) He has been photographed many times, but I like your presentation, with a wall of people passing behind him. He never seems cold, no matter what the weather. I once approached the Naked Cowboy, and he turned around to offer a shot of me appearing to slap him on the butt!! There was no actual contact I assure you, but he certainly isn't shy!!

macjake (39227) 2013-03-05 12:46

Hi Jason
haha...this is a great photo...but like you mentioned in the note - not because of the Cowboy, but b/c of all the expressions on the faces of the people walking by.
especially the lady on the far right dressed in blue, she's looking directly at the man's ass and enjoying EVERY second of it! haha
always a funny and interesting scene in NYC.
cheers
craig