“A newborn calf is looking at me. What does she know about her fate? How does she feel about these four walls, about panic or anxiety?” Jesus, that's pretty fucking heavy for a picture of a baby cow. But so goes the mind of Johan Emanuelsson, the 30-year-old son of a farmer, is currently breaking our hearts on a regular basis with his photos of everyday life, the countryside, pain, despair, dogs, and, yeps, cows. Johan started taking photos at a farm after his twin brother, who suffered from schizophrenia, committed suicide there. A few years later he started working as Swedish photography icon Anders Petersen’s assistant, along with covering the afternoon milking, and now Johan is a bright and shining beacon of hope for everyone who likes harsh and beautiful photography.
“Mystery, from birth to death, is a nutrient of life.”
“The power flowing out of the hand. Does this work ever end?”
“Jesus on the cross? Faith and doubt belongs together. Who knows what and why?”
JOHAN EMANUELSSON
These four photos are from his forthcoming debut book, The Farm, which will be released in 2010 on Journal.
The black and whites are gorgeous, especially the one of the man going into what looks like a gutter. I can't believe he got that much contrast in that shot. Very strong work.
Posted by: Nik | 13/08/2009 at 18:32
oh my god. thank you! his site is amazing. look at the farm series if you have a few minutes to spare. bookmarked!
Posted by: uly | 13/08/2009 at 18:34
thought these shots were stunning, captures a lot of energy and despair. nice work.
Posted by: lmc | 13/08/2009 at 18:35
these are some pretty heavy pictures, amazing shots though
Posted by: whoa | 13/08/2009 at 18:36
the first shot is excellent
Posted by: danny | 13/08/2009 at 18:53
slightly related, but yesterday a two-headed calf was born with one brain so all it's motor skills are tied together. for instance, it's eyes and tongues move in unison.
Posted by: allen | 13/08/2009 at 19:21
his thoughts are a little weird to me but his shots are amaaaaazing!
Posted by: muh | 13/08/2009 at 19:56
internet veal.
Posted by: charlie evans | 14/08/2009 at 01:48
this made me sad. i feel like such a heathen now because i like hamburgers so much
whyyyyyyyy do they have to taste so good? my boyfriend saw this and just said MMMM FOOD.
:( im going to go kick myself and cry now.
Posted by: your mom | 14/08/2009 at 13:34
thanks muh, whats normal thougts?
Posted by: johan | 15/08/2009 at 19:39