Scott Baxter had no expectations when he began photographing Arizona's ranching families.
He never imagined his photographs would end up in a 224-page book, for example, or on display in museums and libraries statewide. They are currently on exhibit at the Tucson Museum of Art.
Baxter, who is from Phoenix, said he realized he was "onto something" about halfway through his decade-long project, but didn't expect his work would be described as some of the best images ever taken of Arizona's ranchers.
That's what Arizona Highways Editor Robert Stieve said about "100 Years 100 Ranchers."
"'100 Years 100 Ranchers' isn't just a series of artful and captivating black and whites, it's a permanent record of a way of life, a disappearing way of life, that has deep roots in our state," he said.
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The self-taught Baxter is an avid fly fisherman and historian who became intrigued first by the old ranches near Greer and Springerville during a fishing trip.
"What I wanted to do was give them a platform from which people could see who they are and what they do," he said of his ranching subjects. Baxter chose families who have been ranching at least since Arizona became a state in 1912.
Christine Brindza, the Tucson Museum of Art's curator of Art of the American West, said Baxter "looks past the general stereotypes of the 'Western rancher' and finds the real individual."
"In fact, Baxter made personal connections with each rancher he photographed," Brindza said. "He took the time to get to know them, and that is reflected in his images."
The exhibit opened with another exhibition, "Tucson Collects: Spirit of the West," which comprises all forms of art, from paintings and sculpture to saddles, basketry and textiles.
Baxter's project was shot with a simple camera, no artificial light, and black-and-white film to ensure they look as they would have 100 years ago.
Baxter started taking the photographs after meeting Arizona rancher Wink Crigler, whose grandmother, Molly Butler, opened the Greer guest lodge in 1902.
"I just wanted to do it for myself. I thought I would donate some of the photographs back (to Crigler)," he said. "Around 2006 or so, I realized this was going to be bigger than I thought."
One of his first images is of Sam Udall checking fences on a snowy day near the Sunrise Ski Resort. The images also capture other Arizona pioneer and ranching families including the Perkins, Riggs, Ronstadt and Hays.
If you go
• What: Phoenix photographer Scott Baxter's "100 Years 100 Ranchers," an exhibit of Arizona's longtime ranch families.
• Where: Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.
• When: Through Sept. 23.
• Cost: $8 for general admission, $6 for veterans and seniors age 60-plus, and $3 for students (ages 13-plus). Free for members, children ages 12 and under, and active military with ID.
• Monthly special: The first Sunday of the month is free admission for everyone.
• Museum hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Beginning in July, the museum will have new hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.
• Etcetera: The book, "100 Years 100 Ranchers" can be purchased by at www.100years100ranchers.com
