5DMkIV – Son of the Morning Light

Blind Faith

April 9, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/04/1u9a3858.jpg — A blind woman prays at the main altar of St Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotahena. 21st April 2021. Lucia of Syracuse, venerated by the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox churches as St Lucy, is the patron saint of the blind. In medieval accounts, Lucia’s eyes were gouged out before her execution during the 4th century Diocletianic Persecution, but that they were seen to be miraculously restored before her burial. Probably the best known of the Virgin Martyrs, she is one of only eight women commemorated in the Roman Catholic Canon of the Mass. St Lucia’s Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Colombo, and is said to be Sri Lanka’s oldest and largest parish cathedral. Construction began in 1872, but work was halted or delayed periodically for lack of funds and, though the cathedral began serving mass in 1881, it wasn’t until 1902 that the building was declared complete.

^{• 16mm • f/2.8 • 1/160 • ISO1600 • 5DMkIV & EF16-35/2.8L courtesy Canon/Metropolitan}

Planning for Disease

March 23, 2023March 22, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/03/1u9a4462.jpg — Nadika Fernandopulle, a project manager of the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka; shot at the National STD/AIDS Control Programme, de Saram Place, Maradana, on assignment for *Panos Pictures and The Global Fund, in January* 2022.

^{• 50mm • f/1.6 • 1/640 • ISO500 • 5DMkIV & EF 50/1.4 courtesy Canon/Metropolitan}

Enslaved in Slave Island #14

February 23, 2023February 23, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/02/1u9a3167e2.jpg — Iresha Wijesinghe, lab assistant at the National STD/AIDS Control Programme (NSACP) clinic tending to needle users in Slave Island. Shot on assignment for Panos Pictures and The Global Fund, in January 2022.

^{• 50mm • f/1.4 • 1/250 • ISO200 • 5DMkIV & EF 50/1.4 courtesy Canon/Metropolitan}

Enslaved in Slave Island #13

February 15, 2023February 15, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

One an NSACP* outreach volunteer, the other a single father; both lifelong friends, and recovering addicts. Wekanda Housing Scheme, Stewart Street, Slave Island. *Shot on assignment for Panos Pictures and The Global Fund*, *in January 2022.*

^{• 70mm • f/4 • 1/400 • ISO800 • 5DMkIV & EF 24-105/f4L courtesy Canon/Metropolitan}

^{*The National STD/AIDS Control Programme is a Sri Lankan Health Ministry initiative to coordinate the country’s response to sexually transmitted diseases.}

Enslaved in Slave Island #12

February 8, 2023February 8, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/02/1u9a2610.jpg — *A recovering addict in the Wekanda Housing Scheme, Stewart Street, Slave Island. *Shot on assignment for Panos Pictures and The Global Fund*, in January 2022.*

^{• 50mm • f/1.4 • 1/1250 • ISO400 • 5DMkIV & EF 50/1.4, courtesy Canon/Metropolitan}

COVID wasn’t the Only Disease #3

February 2, 2023February 1, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/02/1u9a3332e2.jpg — *Buddhika Lakmal*, *a National STD/AIDS Control Programme* (NSACP) outreach worker, poses in full PPE outside his Slave Island clinic, in January 2022. NSACP mobile teams continued to operate throughout the pandemic, and Buddhika is about to head out to nearby Stewart Street to take blood samples, and hand out HIV self-tests, needles, condoms, and educational literature to heroin addicts. *Shot on assignment for Panos Pictures and The Global Fund*.

^{• 105mm • f/4 • 1/500 • ISO125 • 5DMkIV & EF 24-105/f4L courtesy Canon/Metropolitan}

Behind the Beach #4

January 27, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/01/1u9a3505.jpg — Blood samples collected at clinics in the area await testing at the Mahamodara Hospital, Galle. *Shot on assignment for Panos Pictures and The Global Fund, in January 2022.*

^{• 90mm • f/4 • 1/80 • ISO3200 • 5DMkIV & EF 24-105/f4L courtesy Canon/Metropolitan}

Behind the Beach #3

January 26, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/01/1u9a4122.jpg — A National STD/AIDS Control Programme (NSACP) outreach worker conducts a mobile clinic for beach boys in the Sri Lankan tourist town of Hikkaduwa, registering sex workers, conducting blood tests, and handing out condoms and educational literature. *Shot on assignment for Panos Pictures and The Global Fund*, in January 2022.

^{• 47mm • f/4 • 1/4000 • ISO800 • 5DMkIV & EF 24-105/f4L courtesy Canon/Metropolitan}

Enslaved in Slave Island #11

January 25, 2023January 25, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/01/1u9a2634.jpg — PA Fernando, an outreach worker with the *National STD/AIDS Control Programme* (NSACP). *Shot on* *Stewart Street, Slave Island, for Panos Pictures and The Global Fund, in January 2022.*

^{• 50mm • f/1.4 • 1/1250 • ISO200 • 5DMkIV & EF 50/1.4, courtesy Canon/Metropolitan.}

Behind the Beach #2

January 24, 2023January 24, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/01/1u9a3370.jpg — Dr Dharshani Wijewickrama, head of the STD Clinic, Mahamodara Hospital, Galle. *Shot on assignment for Panos Pictures and The Global Fund, in January 2022.*

^{• 24mm • f/4 • 1/80 • ISO800 • 5DMkIV & EF 24-105/f4L courtesy Canon/Metropolitan}