documentary – Son of the Morning Light

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}

When will It be My Turn? #3

March 9, 2023March 8, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/03/529a0385.jpg — *The Workshop Players rehearse* Akuna at the Lionel Wendt. February 2022.

^{• 53mm • f/4 • 1/50 • ISO12800 • EOS R & RF24-105mm f/4L courtesy Canon/Metropolitan}

No More Street Cred

March 7, 2023March 7, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/03/img_6734.jpg — *Protestors in Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, demand the reinstatement of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his United National Party government, in October 2018.*

^{• 200mm • f/5.6 • 1/400 • ISO200 • 600D & EF-S18-200/3.5-5.6 • polariser •}

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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}

Evil Eye

February 6, 2023February 6, 2023 David BlackerLeave a comment

https://sonofthemorninglight.files.wordpress.com/2023/02/img_0727.jpg — Sri Lanka’s Lotus Tower is probably the most easily noticeable symbol of the government corruption and ineptitude that brought on the worst economic catastrophe in the island nation’s history. Ordered by former President Mahinda Rajapakse in 2012, the tower, the tallest in South Asia, *and visible from practically every part of the capital, Colombo*, is viewed by many as a vanity project, costing as much as $104 million to build, but with little use beyond glorifying the leadership of the former president and his party (the Sri Lanka Podujana Pakshaya’s symbol is a lotus). This photograph was taken from 5th Cross Street, in the city’s market district of Pettah, in January 2023.

^{• 35mm • f/4 • 1/100 • ISO6400 • R6 & RF14-35/4L •}

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}