Nikon

Transient Path

Alakajay, Black And White Photography, Photography

Captured at the Joint Base Andrews Air & Space Expo in Prince George’s County, Maryland (Sept 2022). In monochrome, the aircraft’s dynamic maneuver is stripped down to raw geometry and contrast – turning a momentary smoke plume into a lasting, sculpted arc against the dark void.

Whispering Whiskers

Alakajay, Black And White Photography, Photography

Captured some years ago at the Colombo Zoo in Sri Lanka, a quiet moment of shared curiosity between two tiger cubs. In the stillness of monochrome, every contour and delicate bristle comes to life, serving as a reminder of the wild grace found even in stillness.

Duet – Self-portrait in double exposure

Alakajay, Black And White Photography, Photography

Alaka Jayasekara (C)51632000644

Looking back into the archives from over a decade ago during my time on Long Island, NY. This self-portrait double-exposure study was an exercise in exploring layered narratives, interior window light, and classic monochrome textures. It is always rewarding to revisit these early experiments and see where the journey began.

Meditate with a Monk for Peace

Alakajay, Black And White Photography, Photography

A quiet, monochrome moment captured during the “Meditate with a Monk” event at Constitution Gardens in Washington, D.C. Led by the Venerable Bhante Pannakara – who completed a transformative peace walk from Texas earlier this year – this recent session invited the public for a morning of mindfulness, reflection, and collective stillness. The Washington Monument stands as a solemn backdrop to this powerful gathering in the heart of the nation’s capital.

The Shake Off

Alakajay, Black And White Photography, Photography

Labor Day morning at the Smithsonian National Zoo offered a quiet moment of focus amidst the holiday crowds. Stepping out of the pool, this tiger sent a halo of backlit spray into the air, turning a split second of motion into a striking study of contrast, texture, and force.

Silent Guardian of Raswehera – Sri Lanka

Alakajay, Black And White Photography, Photography

Carved directly into the sheer face of a massive granite monolith, the ancient Sasseruwa (Reswehera) Buddha statue of Sri Lanka stands as a timeless monument to spiritual endurance. Sculpted over fifteen centuries ago, the colossal figure captures the Abhaya Mudra – the gesture of fearlessness. Its deeply textured, weathered stone beautifully merges ancient human artistry with the raw, unyielding earth.

“Gloria Victis” National Gallery of Art – Washington D.C. 

Alakajay, Black And White Photography, Photography

 

Antonin Mercié’s masterful Gloria Victis (“Glory to the Vanquished”) stands as a powerful tribute to resilience in defeat. Created after the Franco-Prussian War, it subverts traditional heroic imagery by depicting a winged allegory of Fame lifting a dying soldier, who holds his broken sword high in defiance. The dynamic, upward-sweeping composition captures a brilliant interplay of vulnerability and strength, immortalizing the courage of the fallen and proving that true glory is never lost.