Roughnecks
Photographed at work, at church, at home, in bars and in whore houses, Kittle documented Roughnecks from 1983-1984 in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Mexico, concluding with his first book Roughnecks, Oil Patch U.S.A., published by Taylor Publishing in 1985.
"The majority of the people out in this part of the country are employed in the oilfield but they are not all roughnecks. Roughnecks work on drilling rigs. They consider themselves the elite of the oilfield"
- Ector County Deputy
These photos are about a unique expression of American manhood. Roughnecks are industrial cowboys that drill wells in the oil patch and offshore. Their work is dangerous. They are unique in the aggressive pride that they show in their masculinity. Roughnecks embody the traditional American male values of freedom, toughness, and individuality.
Roughnecks, Oil Patch U.S.A. is available to purchase on Amazon.
Roughneck and Acompañera, 1985.
Cocodrie, Louisiana, 1985.
"You know what they say about the oilfield. You got to have a weak mind and a strong back to stay in it. That's oilfield talk." 1985.
"You can't tell nobody what it's like out here. 'Cause it's different, everyday." 1985.
Big Spring, Texas, 1985.
Lingerie Show, Holiday Inn, Lafayette, Louisiana, 1985.
Clayton Williams, Odessa, Texas, 1985.
Red Adair, Houston, 1985.
Oil Field, Permian Basin, No Trees, Texas, 1985.
Rex, Big Spring, Texas, 1985.
Rocky's Apartment, Houma, Louisiana, 1985.
Casing crew hand and Acompañera, 1985.
Ernest, Driller, Valentine, Lousiana, 1985.
T. Boone Pickens, Amarillo, Texas, 1985.
"A lot of them drillers and tool pushers do their hiring in the bars, because they know that's where the hands stay when they ain't working" 1985.
Big Spring, Texas, 1985.
"When you start, you don't know nothin'. That cotton-pickin' iron is so heavy. And it's merciless too." Roughneck
Casing Crew Hand and Acompañera, 1985.