Congolese Photographer Captures Mpox Impact Through Elderly Patient's Portrait

Moses Sawasawa, a Congolese freelance photographer, has been documenting life in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2015. His collaboration with The Associated Press, which began in 2021, has allowed him to shed light on various aspects of Congolese society, including humanitarian issues, culture, and health.

Sawasawa's work stands out for its focus on everyday activities, particularly highlighting women and children. This approach is noteworthy given Congo's history of conflict, which has often overshadowed the country's rich cultural tapestry and the resilience of its people.

In a recent project, Sawasawa turned his lens to the mpox outbreak, which the World Health Organization declared a global emergency approximately nine years ago. While the majority of mpox cases in Congo affect children under 15, Sawasawa chose to capture the impact on the adult population through a striking portrait of a 90-year-old patient.

The photographer's process involved patience and careful preparation. Equipped with a Sony a7R Mark IV camera and a 24-70mm GM 2.8 lens, Sawasawa waited for the elderly man to awaken, using the time to converse with the patient's grandson and caregiver. This approach allowed him to gain insights into the subject's life and create a more meaningful image.

"I am convinced that even in bad news, we photographers are supposed to find something beautiful in an unfortunate story."

Sawasawa's technique involved setting the aperture to 2.8 to create a subtle blur on the subject's multicolored robe, adding depth to the image. The resulting photograph powerfully illustrates the physical effects of mpox, with the disease visibly altering the man's facial features.

The photographer's decision to focus on this particular subject was deliberate. He found the elderly man's appearance, with mpox disfiguring his face and partially removing his mustache, to be uniquely photogenic. This choice aligns with Sawasawa's belief in finding beauty and storytelling potential even in challenging circumstances.

It's worth noting that mpox has a significant history in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the first human case recorded there in 1970. The country's vast biodiversity and extensive rainforests, second only to the Amazon, contribute to the complex interplay between human populations and zoonotic diseases like mpox.

Sawasawa's work exemplifies the power of photojournalism in raising awareness about global health issues. By capturing compelling images that tell human stories, photographers like Sawasawa play a crucial role in bringing attention to important topics and fostering understanding across cultures.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, with its rich tapestry of over 200 ethnic groups and languages, provides a unique backdrop for Sawasawa's work. His photography not only documents health crises but also offers glimpses into the everyday lives of people navigating a country with immense natural resources and complex social dynamics.

As Moses Sawasawa continues his collaboration with The Associated Press, his unique perspective and dedication to finding beauty in challenging situations promise to bring more insightful and impactful images to a global audience.