Abby Sunderland Back Home

Teen sailor Abby Sunderland, 16, is now back home. She held a press conference in Marina Del Rey and spoke of her record attempt to circumnavigate the world in her 40 foot sail boat "Wild Eyes." Her dream ended when her vessel was struck by a giant rouge wave which spun it around under water and broke the main carbon fiber mast.

Abby was rescued by a French fishing vessel after she set off her rescue beacons. Her 18 year old brother Zac Sunderland has also circumnavigated the world in a 36 foot sail boat. Abby was 12000 miles into her sailing adventure and is the youngest person to solo Cape Horn.

Her parents has received much criticism for allowing her to sail the world. They released a statement supporting their daughter's decision to follow her sailing endeavors.

Abby will now spend her time studying and applying for her driver's license.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010

Ted Soqui Photography Honored at 52nd L.A. Press Club Journalism Awards

I was honored with a first place award for 2009 single topic photo essay at this year's 52nd Annual Southern California Journalism Awards, presented by the Los Angeles Press Club.

The photo essay was about Lancaster Prison, and was photographed for Los Angeles Magazine. Photo editor Kathleen Clark hired me for the shoot and cultivated the images into a powerful photo expose' for the magazine.

The awards presentation was held at the glamorous Biltmore Hotel in downtown L.A.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Anderson Cooper of CNN, and Sean Penn attended the gala affair.

Thank you Los Angeles Press Club.

Photograph by Ted Soqui © 2010

Al Gore Denies Affair

Candidate Gore in L.A. 8/2000

Al and Tipper at the Democratic Convention in L.A. 8/2000

Former Vice-President of the U.S., Albert Gore, denied a report by Star magazine that he had an affair with Laurie David, an environmentalist and former wife of Larry David of "Seinfeld" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" fame.

The magazine claims the affair went on for over two years, all parties involved deny the Star's report as well.

Albert and Tipper Gore, who were high school sweethearts, are currently separated and have been married for 40 years.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010

Election Day In L.A.

Back again.

Voting in Brentwood.

Gray, LHAO!

Poizner, out.

Gov's boots.

Governor voting, twice.

Election day in Los Angeles.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010

A Star Is Born

Lee DeWyze, American Idol Season 9

Kara DioGuardi

Crystal and Lee

Carrie Underwood

Idol Judges

Carly Smithson

Brett Michaels

Kara DioGuradi

Ellen DeGeneres

Lee DeWyze is the new American Idol season 9.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010

LiLo @ BH Court

Pool image by Jae C. Hong.

Lindsay Lohan at the Beverly Hills Courthouse this morning. She had to face a gauntlet of paps, celebrity, newsies, and video photographers to enter and exit the court. LiLo was ordered to wear a alcohol monitoring device and advised not to do any illegal drugs by the court.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010

Pool image by Jae C.Hong

Tour of California in Downtown L.A.

The Amgen Tour of California held it's stage 7 time trial in downtown L.A.

The time trial, often called the "race of truth", was without RadioShack rider Lance Armstrong who crashed out of the Tour two days ago. There were smaller crowds due to Armstrong's absence.

The 20.9 mile (33.6K) course snaked it way through downtown wrapping it's way around many L.A. landmarks including the L.A. Coliseum and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

It was a perfect weather day, nice and sunny and not too warm.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010

Landis Comes Clean About Being Dirty

Former professional bicycle racer, Floyd Landis, came clean today about doping during his cycling career which included winning the 2006 Tour de France. Landis tested positive for testosterone during the 2006 Tour de France, but denied the charges and spent millions of dollars fighting the charges. Landis also fingered former team mate and friend Lance Armstrong, along with his former team director Johan Bruyneel with suppling him with doping information and how to avoid testing positive for doping. Both Armstrong and Bruyneel deny Landis' allegations.

Lance Armstrong crashed today during the Tour of California today, he received several stitches to his face and had to abandon the race. Armstrong was not in contention to win the race, he was racing in support for team member Levi Leipheimer, who has also been dogged by doping allegations.

The Tour of California is sponsored by Amgen, the largest producer of EPO, the most common doping product abused by cyclist.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010

Jay Leno on Mulholland Drive

Forgot to post this image of the "Tonight Show" host, Jay Leno, with his broken down 1963 Porsche on Mulholland Drive a couple of weeks ago.

Was riding my bicycle with my bike club, The L.A. Wheelmen, when we came across Jay and his Porsche. He told me his fuel pump gave out.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2010

USC Commencement 2010

Faculty marching in.

Arthur C. Bartner, USC band director.

William Bratton, Doctor of Laws.

Esa-Pekka Salonen, Doctor of Music with Steven B. Sample, President of USC.

Kathleen Rivas, USC Annenberg Masters graduate.

Commencement ceremonies at USC.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010

Sheared Hydrant In Eagle Rock

A light utility truck ran over and sheared a fire hydrant, then crashed in to four parked cars on the east bound side of Colorado Blvd. in Eagle Rock.

LAFD 12 from Eagle Rock tore in to the asphalt near the hydrant to quickly shut down the 100 foot tall water leak.

Footage by Ted Soqui © 2010

Ramayana Performed by Gamelan Burat Wangi

Ramayana, an Indian epic Balinese dance drama, performed by the Gamelan Burat Wangi (Fragrant Flower).

The performance was held at the Cal Arts school in Valencia, CA., and was directed by Nyoman Wenten with Nanik Wenten as dance director.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2010