Vesak in the Sky with Lanterns

‘Going to see Vesak,’ on Navam Mawatha, Colombo. May 2023.

• 24mm • f/2.8 • 1/250 • ISO4000 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •

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Flawsome

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Mother and child, Slave Island, May 2023.

• 70mm • f/2.8 • 1/320 • ISO1600 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •

Dragon Light

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An intricately designed Vesak lantern by the roadside in Colombo. Most Vesak lanterns are simple 12-panelled bamboo and paper constructions made at home, but not so these huge two-storey electrically powered rotating contraptions that compete with each other for the crowds (and often for a cash prize). In the past, many of these were commissioned by trade unions, craft cooperatives, and other social clubs, but today, they’re most likely built by the military, under orders to make this Buddhist celebration a success. Sri Lanka, May 2023.

• 48mm • f/2.8 • 1/125 • ISO2000 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •

Hospitaller

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A St John’s Ambulance sergeant on duty during Vesak. Navam Mawatha, Slave Island. May 2023.

• 70mm • f/2.8 • 1/250 • ISO4000 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •

Vesak Night Out

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A family takes a break from touring the Vesak sights along Navam Mawatha, in Slave Island. May 2023.

• 35mm • f/2.8 • 1/125 • ISO8000 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •

Thelme Dancers

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Navam Mawatha, Colombo. Vesak Poya, May 2023.*

• 50mm • f/2.8 • 1/125 • ISO26500 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •

Colombo Celebrates Vesak

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City skyline over the Beira Lake. May 2023.

• 24mm • f/2.8 • 1/125 • ISO1000 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •

Tales of Power

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A two-storey stone fresco (above) on the exterior of the Gangaramaya Temple, in Slave Island, depicting different chapters in the Buddha’s journey from birth to enlightenment to death, is mobbed by sightseers on Vesak Poya night. Colombo, May 2023. Meanwhile (below), a more traditional pandal sits forlornly in the waterlogged Stanley Jansz Grounds nearby, its electricity supply disrupted by faulty wiring.

• 24mm • f/2.8 • 1/125 • ISO3200 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •

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• 45mm • f/2.8 • 1/125 • ISO2500 •

Thelme Dancer

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Navam Mawatha, Colombo. Vesak Poya, May 2023.

• 50mm • f/2.8 • 1/125 • ISO20000 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •

The Light of Kāmacchanda

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Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo. Vesak Poya, May 2023.

• 70mm • f/2.8 • 1/125 • ISO250 • Canon R6 & RF24-70/2.8L •

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• 50mm • f/2.8 • 1/125 • ISO1000 •
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• 35mm • f/2.8 • 1/125 • ISO1250 •