LA's on fire again.
The photo blog page of Ted Soqui a Los Angeles based photojournalist. He has over 30 years experience covering the news and events of Los Angeles. All images and text on this blog are copyright protected.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Mercedes-Benz LA Fashion Week Spring '09 Begins
Fashion designers Kevan Hall, Suh-Tahn, Sheiki, and Whitley-Kros open the LA Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Smashbox Studios with their 2009 designs.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Body Dig For Boy Who Was Killed 40 Years Ago Ends
The body recovery for a 16 year old San Fernando Valley boy, Roger Dale Madison, murdered by serial killer, Roger Dale Madison, 40 years ago most likely lies beneath the 23 freeway in Moorpark, CA, and cannot be recovered. Child serial killer Roger Dale Madison was on death row at San Quinten, but killed himself before his scheduled execution date. He also confessed to the killing of Roger Dale Madison and several other children. Madison often buried his victims in southern California freeways during his job as a freeway builder in the '50s and '60s.
The five day long dig that created a 20 foot deep and 40 foot wide hole next to the 23 freeway ended with a memorial service that was attended by the victim's sister, Sherry Barlow who flew in from Oklahoma. She also laid a dozen red roses next to the dig site and was given a jar of soil from the dig by LAPD Chaplains. LAPD Lead Detective Vivian Flores lead the investigation and teared up at the end of the dig. Vivian Flores, LAPD, and Sherry Barlow both believe that Roger Dale Madison in buried beneath the 23 freeway.
Photos By Ted Soqui c 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Body Dig For Boy Who Was Killed 40 Years Ago
An excavation began today in Moorpark near the Ventura County/LA County for 16 year-old Roger Dale Madison was possibly killed and buried by serial murderer Mack Ray Edwards. Edwards preyed on children and has been linked to at least 18 murders in the 195os and '60s. While on San Quinten's deathrow, Edwards hung himself with a TV cord , but also confessed to the kidnapping and killing of Roger Dale Madison. The dig is next to the 23 freeway and will take about ten days to complete. Edwards was a construction foreman for a California freeway road building company back in the '60s and buried his victims under the new freeways. Edwards turned himself in to the LAPD, due a bad conscience back in 1969. New evidence from author Weston DeWalt, who was investigating another child disappearance back in 1957, and interest from LAPD Lead Detective Vivian Flores, the search was renewed. With ground penetrating radar, a particle detector that sniffs out human bones, and cadaver dogs officials found an area of great interest to begin the dig. Over 44 FBI agents and dozens of police officials are involved in the dig.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Sarah Palin Speaks In Carson
Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin spoke at the Home Depot Center in Carson today. She told the crowd she actually does read a newspaper, the New York Times, reading from a teleprompter. The New York Times wrote a story on Bill Ayers, founding member of the radical Weathermen, and his relationship with Barack Obama. The 15,000 member crowd attempted to round up some non-synced boos, but many did not know who Ayers is and what she was talking about. She quickly dropped the subject and continued to finish her 25 minute speech. Jon Voight, the actor, spoke as well on his admiration of Senator John McCain.
Photos By Ted Soqui c 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
LA Weekly Metrolink Article
I wrote a small first person piece for this week's LA Weekly on the Metrolink train wreck. Click here for the article.
Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Metrolink Train Wreck
A Metrolink train crashed into a freight train that occupied the same tracks killing 25 passengers and injuring over 135 train passengers in Chatsworth, CA. The Metrolink's locomotive sliced into one of its double decked passenger cars where all of the fatalities occurred. The horrific crash scene had over 700 fire, police, and rescue personnel busily working late into the evening rescuing and recovering train passengers. 10 helicopters waited to transport passengers to local area hospitals along with many ambulances. One LAPD officer who was a passenger on the train was killed.
Photos by Ted Soqui
Monday, September 8, 2008
Olympic Champion Michael Phelps Visits Boys And Girls Club
Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps visited the Boys and Girls Club of Burbank today. He spoke to a group of children about his Olympic experiences and answered several of their questions. He told the kids that he had mostly rap on his iPod with "Young Jeezy" being one of his favorites. He also told them that he missed his dog which is back home in Baltimore. The entertainment media covered Michaels's visit en force. They queried Michael about his "celebrity crush" on "Lindsay Lohan." Word is that he is over that crush, and has moved on to a new crush with "Carrie Underwood." Michael rushed off for a taping at the NBC studios for the "Tonight Show With Jay Leno", and will host next week's "Saturday Night Live." He was also a presenter at the MTV Video Awards Show and shared a limo with music star "Kid Rock."
Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Walter Reed Featured At RNC During McCain Speech
Walter Reed Junior (Middle) High School located in North Hollywood, CA was featured as a backdrop for the first five minutes of John McCain's acceptance speech last night at the RNC. Most TV viewers just saw a glimpse of the wide shot that featured Walter Reed Junior High. The camera angle was mostly a tight shot for the first few minutes of the speech, which had an unusual green background that was a detail of Walter Reed JHS's lovely lawn. John Heaner, a Walter Reed Middle School PTA member and Region 13 Director of the Democratic Party, held a press conference outside of the school to claim John McCain and his campaign is out of touch because of the featured photo which was supposed to be the Walter Reed Army Medical Center located in Washington, DC. The shot was quickly changed to a lone US flag waiving on a angled pole for the rest of the speech.
Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
LA City Council OK's $500k Reward To Capture The "Grim Sleeper"
The LA City Council approved a reward up to $500,000 for information that would lead to the capture and conviction of the "Grim Sleeper" serial murderer. The motion was brought forth by Councilperson Bernard Parks, the former LAPD Chief. Parks was joined by Mary and Porter Alexander, their daughter Monique Alicia Alexander was murdered by the "Grim Sleeper", at a LA City Hall press conference. The serial killer, dubbed the "Grim Sleeper" by the LA Weekly, has taken a 13 year hiatus before resuming his killing spree and was linked to the 11 murders by DNA. Most of the "Grim Sleepers" victims were dumped in alley ways along Western Avenue in South Central LA. Anyone with information regarding the "Grim Sleeper" should contact the LAPD at 1-877-LAWFUL
Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Shooting Grief
It's been a tough week on Angelenos.
Had two assignments this week that oddly crossed paths with grief.
The first was to photograph two families that each had a family member killed by a serial murderer over ten years ago. The story, by LA Weekly writer Christine Pelisek, is about an elusive serial murderer who has taken a 13 year hiatus and is back and killing again in South Central LA.
Photographing each family was difficult on them and myself. They were reminded of the memories and pain of loss as they held their last and only pictures of their lost ones. The photo shoots ended as quickly as they started. I can only hope that it helps to catch the killer and give the families some way finally to end their grief and pain.
My other assignment was to photograph the site in Eagle Rock where four people were killed in a horrific car crash.
This shoot was really tough to do. Upon reaching the crash site, two dozen people where standing around a tree where four people died. I starting shooting photos from a distance, by the 5th frame I'm completely surrounded by an angry mob. They scolded me for taking photos and threatened to fully kick my ass. Cooler heads took over and the situation diffused as we each went our separate ways.
Photographing grief will never be easy, but it be necessary to fully tell the our stories.
Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
EARTHQUAKE!
Was working out at the gym when it hit, nearly dropped the bar on my neck! The parking attendant wouldn't let anyone out of the underground parking lot unless they paid. Most of the drivers trying to leave/evacuate left their wallets and purses in the gym lockers and were made to sign their names and numbers and promise to pay.
Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
LA River Expedition Final Day
The LA River expedition reached its final destination today where the LA River meets the sea in Long Beach.
Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
LA River Expedition Day 2
Day two of the LA River expedition. The kayakers made it through the Glendale Narrows in ankle deep water. Some of the kayakers were also a bit salted from all of the walking, but with blessing from the Mud People and some river dancers, they kept on paddling.
photos by Ted Soqui c 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
LA River Expedition Begins
A small contingent of kayakers began their 52 mile 3 day expedition down the LA River. They launched their kayaks and canoes from the loamy banks of the LA River near Lake Balboa.
Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
LA River Expedition To Begin
A contingent of kayakers, the LA River Expedition kayak team, will set upon the headwaters of the LA River this Friday at the overpass at Owensmouth (Canoga Park) and paddle to the sea (Long Beach). The 52 mile kayak trip will take two days to complete and will be done in fresh water kayaks made by Pyranha. The objectives of the expedition are to raise consciousness about the LA River and to prove to the Army Corps of Engineers that the river is fully navigable by boat. The Army Corps of Engineers states the river is not-navigable, and no boats are allowed on the river. Hope they make Lewis and Clark proud.
Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Strange Fruit In LA
The Australian performance art dance troupe, Strange Fruit, held several performances in downtown LA this week. They performed their piece "Swoon" which is a shorter version of their piece "The Field." The Melbourne based group performs their work atop 13 foot tall poles that sway in every direction. They will be in downtown LA Friday and Saturday at 7th and Fig with shows at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. The shows are free to the public and are worth checking out.
Photo by Ted Soqui c 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
No Money And No Pictures!
While shooting outside the Indymac Bank headquarters in Pasadena, I was confronted by an angry security guard. He told me "no pictures allowed!" He was also told, by his boss, to block me if I took any. Indymac Bank was taken over by the Federal government on Monday due to becoming insolvent. The bank's problems began when it lent out subprime mortgage loans to borrowers with bad or no credit history. There were a couple hundred of Indymac customers who lined up all day to withdrawal their monies. There was another line in Pasadena, even longer. It was at the Apple store on Colorado Blvd. with people looking to buy the newest iPhone.
Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Echo Park Lake Lotus Die-Off
The famous Lotus plants of Echo Park Lake failed to bloom this year. Instead most of plants have died. LA City officials speculated up to 13 different reasons may have been the reasons for the massive die-off including bad water quality, plant poaching-they are edible, and pest. This Lotus field has been around since the 1920's when Aimee Semple McPherson, founder of the Angelus Temple across the street from the lake, is said to have planted them from plants she imported from China. There were a few Lotus leaves that pushed their way through the unusually brown murky and foul smelling water this spring, only to quickly brown rot and die. The annual 2008 Lotus Festival held at the lake is two weeks away with no Lotus blooms in sight. The Lotus is a symbol of divine beauty in the Hindu religion and is considered a sacred plant.
Photos by Ted Soqui c 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Douglas Robert Burrows
Douglas Robert Burrows or "Doug" to most was my best friend. He was with me when I bought my first camera a Nikon FE-2 at Pan Pacific Camera many years ago. We also shot hundreds of assignments together back in the day. He was more than a friend, he was a guide possibly a saint. Doug would give the shirt off his back or his last penny to help someone in need with no hesitation. He was also a wonderful photographer, on his way to becoming a great one. His life was cut short days before his 30th birthday on a downtown LA street in 1993. Doug was a victim of a hit and run collision. A speeding 18 wheeler truck ran a red light crashing in his red Toyota Celica. Doug was knocked unconscious by the impact and soon flames began to engulf his car. The truck's driver, Rogelio Pereira, looked into Doug's car rendering no help at all fled on foot leaving Doug to die in the flames. Pereira would soon flee to Mexico and hide there as a fugitive for 14 years. The very hard work of Doug's family, the LAPD, US Marshals Office, and the Mexican Police finally brought Pereira to justice. Pereira was caught by Mexican Police and expelled as an "undesirable person" because he was a US citizen and had no legal standing in Mexico. Pereira stood trial this month for the 1993 collision and pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter before jury selection was complete. His murder plea was dismissed because he pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter according to Deputy District Attorney Catherine Chon. LA Superior Court Judge Drew Edwards sentenced Pereira to 11 years and 8 months in State prison. Pereira who was a fugitive for 14 years, and was previously wanted for drug charges in Arizona, will serve less time than he was in hiding. I remember Doug for not being a vindictive person or harboring any hate at all, but I am and do. The light sentence that Periera received is a huge slap in the face to his family, law enforcement, justice, and to me. I wonder if the same sentence would be rendered if the victim was a LA Superior Court Judge, or a Deputy District Attorney, or a member of law enforcement. Maybe Doug's final legacy to me is to forgive. It will be a long road and huge challenge to get there, but in memory of Doug I will try.
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