honorable mention
Jonathan Speyers united statesPhoto © Jonathan Speyers
title
Guarding His Flock
back to gallery
entry description
We sat inside our hatchback, admiring this sheep herd above on the ridge. My wife and I had been unsuccessfully searching for a hot spring there in Northern California when we came upon the sight. Initially, I imagined photographing them from the hill above until I noticed a sheepdog perched on the near perimeter. Startling me from my compositional musings, a gaunt figure, dressed functionally, emerged from a nearby popup trailer. He was gently carrying a narrow and smoothed wooden branch, and undoubtedly I recognized him as the herder. Accepting this as a serendipitous invitation to take action, I too emerged from my vehicle and requested permission to photograph his flock. Yet, he and I quickly realized, we did not share a similar language. With enough exaggerated gesturing however, I was able to communicate my request and he kindly obliged. As we approached the herd, the man mouthed what was a subdued 'click click click'. Within moments the hillside was covered with hooves in motion. Mixed with fear and hope, I began shooting with a fury. I tracked along side the herd, amazed by it's energy. Until I came to the sheepdog. Here I exhaled and attempted to compose myself. It was the image I saw in my mind before arriving. With a manual focus 85mm lens, wide-open at f/1.2, there was much room for error. As he howled, and the shutter closed, I lived in utter happiness. This lasted all but a breath until I realized his call beckoned that of eleven other sheepdogs. Together, those eleven chased me up what was at best, a hearty bush. There I spent the next forty-five minutes, wondering where the sheepman had gone and calling to my wife for assistance. We never did find the hot spring and still, we didn't care.about the photographer
Jonathan Speyers is a photographer based in Detroit, Michigan. He is the son of a Dutch immigrant and artist, his story sensibilities taking root while shadowing in the family studio. His work focuses on relationships - with self, between others - and the human experience in a rapidly changing world. Having covered stories in 30+ countries, his work bears a consistently expressive aesthetic, classically informed and steeped in empathy.back to gallery