Published in PRISM! Excited to announce that one of my photographs made it into Vol. 2, No. 3 PRISM issue!
Quoted from NDU.edu “PRISM is published by the National Defense University Press for the Center for Complex Operations. PRISM is a security studies journal chartered to inform members of U.S. Federal Agencies, allies, and other partners on complex and integrated national security operations; reconstruction and nationbuilding; relevant policy and strategy; lessons learned; and developments in training and education to transform America’s security and development apparatus to meet tomorrow’s challenges better while promoting freedom today.”

See the website here: http://www.ndu.edu/press/prism/

A little background on the photo:
I traveled north through South America in 2009, with my last stop being Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Ending with a bang is one way you could put it, as I was able to witness both ends of the spectrum – abject poverty directly next to flourishing wealth. This particular photograph is from the segregated slums, which are located at various places in the heart of the vast city. It was taken at an elevated point, beyond the ghetto area and streets. I was escorted up by a local via motorcycle, as navigating on foot or alone would certainly yield danger. With the area governed by drug lords, policemen are replaced by those that possess AK-47′s, contraband, and who knows what else.

I made it out with only a few minor cuts and scrapes (trying to conceal my camera while scurrying through the narrow and uneven alleys is somewhat of a frightening thrill. Was it worth it? Without a doubt. I’ll be back in Rio soon enough.

Here are a few snapshot I took of PRISM. Check it out!

The caption reads: “Favelas are bases of extended power for PCC and other criminal gangs in Brazil.”