Patrick T. Fallon | Photojournalist

On Assignment: Los Angeles Times – Mother’s Day

pfallon — Tue, 14 May 2013 05:59:34 +0000

Raquel Al-Nomani, 58, clasps hands with Bajiha Simms, 82, at a Mother’s Day event at the West Valley Healthcare Center in West Hills. Al-Nomani’s mother died in 1992; in 1994, she met Simms, a fellow Iraqi immigrant. They’ve developed a mother-daughter relationship. “She’s my mom,” Al-Nomani says. © 2013 Patrick T. Fallon/For the Los Angeles Times

On Assignment: Boston Herald – Blake Hazard and The Great Gatsby

pfallon — Wed, 08 May 2013 05:29:52 +0000

Had a wonderful afternoon at the awesome Last Book Store in Downtown Los Angeles with Blake Hazard, a musician in the indie rock band “The Submarines” and great-granddaughter of F. Scott Fitzgerald. The store is a little low light, but my Canon 5D MkIII handled it nicely.

Musician Blake Hazard, great-granddaughter of F. Scott Fitzgerald, poses for a portrait with The Great Gatsby at The Last Bookstore on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 in Los Angeles, Calif. (© 2013 Patrick T. Fallon, Special to the Boston Herald)

On Assignment: Reuters – The Springs Fire Day 3

pfallon — Sun, 05 May 2013 05:59:41 +0000

Working the overnight early on May 4th, after I transmitted my pictures from earlier, the other part of the backfire finally began, setting the mountain on fire:

Firefighters start a backfire into the Santa Monica Mountains off Potrero Road in order to control the Springs Fire near Newbury Park, California May 4, 2013. A fierce, wind-driven wildfire spread on Friday along the California coast northwest of Los Angeles, threatening 4,000 homes and a military base as residents were evacuated ahead of the flames and a university campus was closed. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES – Tags: DISASTER ENVIRONMENT)

A firefighter pulls a hose line as a backfire is ignited into the Santa Monica Mountains off Potrero Road in order to control the Springs Fire near Newbury Park, California May 4, 2013. A fierce, wind-whipped brush fire spread on Friday along the California coast northwest of Los Angeles, threatening several thousand homes and a military base as more than 1,100 dwellings were ordered evacuated and a university campus was closed. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

As a fire ignition flare is fired from the road, a crescent moon rises above a backfire started into the Santa Monica Mountains off Potrero Road in order to control the Springs Fire near Newbury Park, California May 4, 2013. A fierce, wind-whipped brush fire spread on Friday along the California coast northwest of Los Angeles, threatening several thousand homes and a military base as more than 1,100 dwellings were ordered evacuated and a university campus was closed. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

As burning embers swirl in the wind, a crescent moon rises above a backfire started by firefighters into the Santa Monica Mountains off Potrero Road in order to control the Springs Fire near Newbury Park, California May 4, 2013. A fierce, wind-whipped brush fire spread on Friday along the California coast northwest of Los Angeles, threatening several thousand homes and a military base as more than 1,100 dwellings were ordered evacuated and a university campus was closed. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

On Assignment: Reuters – The Springs Fire Day 2

pfallon — Sat, 04 May 2013 05:59:02 +0000

Working the overnight shift for Reuters, I ended up leaving the pack and hiked up to where a hotshot crew was setting a backfire down the mountain:

Firefighter Justin Romero of the New Mexico based Silver City Hotshots uses a drip torch to build a backfire up the mountain off Potrero Road to control the Springs Fire near Newbury Park, California, May 3, 2013.A fierce, wind-driven wildfire spread on Friday along the California coast northwest of Los Angeles, threatening 4,000 homes and a military base as residents were evacuated ahead of the flames and a university campus was closed. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES – Tags: DISASTER ENVIRONMENT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Click to see more pictures

Firefighters tend an engine supplying hose lines to hot shot crews working to build a backfire up the mountain off Potrero Road to control the Springs Fire near Newbury Park, California May 3, 2013. A fierce, wind-driven wildfire spread on Friday along the California coast northwest of Los Angeles, threatening 4,000 homes and a military base as residents were evacuated ahead of the flames and a university campus was closed. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

Firefighters with the Silver City Hot Shots and a McCain Valley Camp inmate crew work to build a backfire up the mountain off Potrero Road to control the Springs Fire near Newbury Park, California May 3, 2013. A fierce, wind-whipped brush fire spread on Friday along the California coast northwest of Los Angeles, threatening several thousand homes and a military base as more than 1,100 dwellings were ordered evacuated and a university campus was closed. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

Overlooking homes they are working to protect in Newbury Park, inmates from the McCain Valley Conservation Camp take a break while building a backfire up the mountain off Potrero Road to control the Springs Fire to protect homes, rear, in Newbury Park, California May 3, 2013. A fierce, wind-whipped brush fire spread on Friday along the California coast northwest of Los Angeles, threatening several thousand homes and a military base as more than 1,100 dwellings were ordered evacuated and a university campus was closed. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

Overlooking homes in Newbury Park, inmate Isaac Cervantes of the McCain Valley Conservation Camp pauses while building a backfire up the mountain off Potrero Road to control the Springs Fire and protect homes in Newbury Park, California May 3, 2013. A fierce, wind-whipped brush fire spread on Friday along the California coast northwest of Los Angeles, threatening several thousand homes and a military base as more than 1,100 dwellings were ordered evacuated and a university campus was closed. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

Embers swirl as firefighters with the Silver City Hot Shots and a McCain Valley Camp inmate crew work to build a backfire up the mountain off Potrero Road to control the Springs Fire near Newbury Park, California May 3, 2013. A fierce, wind-whipped brush fire spread on Friday along the California coast northwest of Los Angeles, threatening several thousand homes and a military base as more than 1,100 dwellings were ordered evacuated and a university campus was closed. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

Firefighters with the Silver City Hot Shots and a McCain Valley Camp inmate crew work to build a backfire, right, while using hoses to spray water, left, up the mountain off Potrero Road to control the Springs Fire near Newbury Park, California May 3, 2013. A fierce, wind-whipped brush fire spread on Friday along the California coast northwest of Los Angeles, threatening several thousand homes and a military base as more than 1,100 dwellings were ordered evacuated and a university campus was closed. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

Embers swirl as a backfire burns a tree on the mountain off Potrero Road in order to control the Springs Fire near Newbury Park, California May 3, 2013. A fierce, wind-whipped brush fire spread on Friday along the California coast northwest of Los Angeles, threatening several thousand homes and a military base as more than 1,100 dwellings were ordered evacuated and a university campus was closed. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

Firefighters with the Silver City Hot Shots and a McCain Valley Conservation Camp inmate crew, left, work their way down the mountain while building a backfire off Potrero Road to control the Springs Fire and protect homes near Newbury Park, California May 3, 2013. A fierce, wind-whipped brush fire spread on Friday along the California coast northwest of Los Angeles, threatening several thousand homes and a military base as more than 1,100 dwellings were ordered evacuated and a university campus was closed. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

Firefighters with the Silver City Hot Shots and a McCain Valley Conservation Camp inmate crew work to build a backfire up the mountain off Potrero Road to control the Springs Fire and protect homes near Newbury Park, California May 3, 2013. A fierce, wind-driven wildfire spread on Friday along the California coast northwest of Los Angeles, threatening 4,000 homes and a military base as residents were evacuated ahead of the flames and a university campus was closed. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

Seen through waves of heat and burning embers, a firefighters with the Silver City Hot Shots works to build a backfire up the mountain off Potrero Road to control the Springs Fire and protect homes Newbury Park, California May 3, 2013. A fierce, wind-whipped brush fire spread on Friday along the California coast northwest of Los Angeles, threatening several thousand homes and a military base as more than 1,100 dwellings were ordered evacuated and a university campus was closed. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

On Assignment: Reuters – The Springs Fire Day 1

pfallon — Fri, 03 May 2013 05:59:31 +0000

Ernie Legassey (L) and Casey Daigle return to their car after their camping trip was cut short due to a wildfire burning towards Point Mugu at the Pacific Ocean on Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura County May 2, 2013. A wind-driven brush fire raging northwest of Los Angeles prompted the evacuation of hundreds of homes and a university campus on Thursday as flames engulfed several farm buildings and recreational vehicles at the fringe of threatened neighborhoods. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES – Tags: DISASTER ENVIRONMENT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Firefighters work to protect homes from a fast moving brush fire in the Newbury Park area of Ventura County May 2, 2013. Southern California is under a high fire alert due to high temperatures and high winds. REUTER/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

Evacuations from a fast moving brush fire in the Newbury Park area of Ventura County May 2, 2013. Southern California is under a high fire alert due to high temperatures and high winds. REUTER/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

Two men try to use garden hoses to protect a neighbors home from a fast moving brush fire in the Newbury Park area of Ventura County May 2, 2013. Southern California is under a high fire alert due to high temperatures and high winds. REUTER/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

People near homes on Calle Del Prado watch a fast moving brush fire in the Newbury Park area of Ventura County May 2, 2013. Southern California is under a high fire alert due to high temperatures and high winds. REUTER/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

A woman braves strong winds to check on her daughters home in the path of a fast moving brush fire in the Newbury Park area of Ventura County May 2, 2013. Southern California is under a high fire alert due to high temperatures and high winds. REUTER/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

Smoke plumes from a fast moving brush fire blow over homes in the Dos Vientos area of Ventura County May 2, 2013. Southern California is under a high fire alert due to high temperatures and high winds. REUTER/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

Residents look from Potrero Road towards a tanker aircraft dropping fire retardant on a fast moving brush fire in Ventura County May 2, 2013. Southern California is under a high fire alert due to high temperatures and high winds. REUTER/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

A firefighter in a bulldozer works to protect homes from a fast moving brush fire in the Newbury Park area of Ventura County May 2, 2013. Southern California is under a high fire alert due to high temperatures and high winds. REUTER/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

A water dropping helicopter makes a drop on a fast moving brush fire as seen from Potrero Road in Ventura County May 2, 2013. Southern California is under a high fire alert due to high temperatures and high winds. REUTER/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

Firefighters battle to protect the Sycamore Nature Center from the Springs Fire near Pacific Coast Highway and the Los Angeles County Line at Malibu, California, May 2, 2013. A wind-driven wildfire raging along the California coast north of Los Angeles prompted the evacuation of hundreds of homes and a university campus on Thursday as flames engulfed several farm buildings and recreational vehicles near threatened neighborhoods. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

Firefighters battle to protect a CalTrans Maintenance Station and Fuel Depot from the Springs Fire near Pacific Coast Highway and the Los Angeles County Line at Malibu, California, May 2, 2013. A wind-driven wildfire raging along the California coast north of Los Angeles prompted the evacuation of hundreds of homes and a university campus on Thursday as flames engulfed several farm buildings and recreational vehicles near threatened neighborhoods. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

The sun is tinted red from smoke plumes of the Springs Fire near Pacific Coast Highway and the Los Angeles County Line at Malibu, California, May 2, 2013. A wind-driven wildfire raging along the California coast north of Los Angeles prompted the evacuation of hundreds of homes and a university campus on Thursday as flames engulfed several farm buildings and recreational vehicles near threatened neighborhoods. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES)

On Assignment: Bloomberg News – Chino Prison Diving

pfallon — Wed, 01 May 2013 17:45:09 +0000

Had a pretty neat multimedia assignment for Bloomberg News lately here in LA

Inmates training to become commercial underwater divers compete in a “pipe roll” team building exercise against other inmates at the Marine Technology Training Center, part of the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA), of the California Institution for Men state prison in Chino, California, U.S., on Thursday, April 11, 2013. California’s prison industry program, whose ventures from coffee-roasting to furniture-building have made it the largest in the U.S., may be endangered by Governor Jerry Brown’s success in reducing inmate overcrowding. Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

I shot stills and a video with my Canon 5D MkIII, building my own surface housing with a plastic fishtank for about $30 that enabled me to get some more visuals below the water. We only had one afternoon, but I was able to gather a set of still images I enjoyed as well as video and interviews for Bloomberg.com, edited by Bloomberg’s Kevin Thrash:

Continue for more photos:

Inmate student divers training to become commercial underwater divers perform push-ups after losing a competition against another group of divers at the Marine Technology Training Center, part of the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) in the at the California Institution for Men State Prison Chino in Chino, California, USA on Thursday, April 11, 2013. Before divers are even allowed to work in the diving tanks, they must train extensively in the classroom, pool, and build up their physical strength in order to be successful, as the diving program has a high drop-out rate as many cannot meet the rigorous standards of the program. Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

An inmate student training to become a commercial underwater diver points details to a team mate before competing in a “pipe roll” team building exercise against another group of inmates, where at lease one member of the team must hold their breath and touch the pipe as it is rolled down the length of the pool, then carried back up from the deep end, at the Marine Technology Training Center, part of the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) in the at the California Institution for Men State Prison Chino in Chino, California, USA on Thursday, April 11, 2013. Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

An inmate training to become a commercial underwater diver surfaces as his teammates raise his recovery project during a training exercise where the diver held his breath underwater while tying knots blindfolded at the Marine Technology Training Center, part of the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) in the at the California Institution for Men State Prison Chino in Chino, California, USA on Thursday, April 11, 2013. Before divers are even allowed to work in the diving tanks, they must train extensively in the classroom, pool, and build up their physical strength in order to be successful, as the diving program has a high drop-out rate as many cannot meet the rigorous standards of the program. Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

Views of fencing and guard towers as seen from outside the prison, surrounding inmate student divers train to become commercial underwater divers at the Marine Technology Training Center, part of the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) in the at the California Institution for Men State Prison Chino in Chino, California, USA on Thursday, April 11, 2013. Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

Inmate student divers training to become commercial underwater divers receive classroom instruction from Jeff Powers on diving history, science, and techniques at the Marine Technology Training Center, part of the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) in the at the California Institution for Men State Prison Chino in Chino, California, USA on Thursday, April 11, 2013. Before divers are even allowed to work in the diving tanks, they must train extensively in the classroom, pool, and build up their physical strength in order to be successful, as the diving program has a high drop-out rate as many cannot meet the rigorous standards of the program. Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

Inmates training to become commercial underwater divers prepare to learn how to hold their breath while tying knots blindfolded underwater at the Marine Technology Training Center, part of the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA), of the California Institution for Men state prison in Chino, California, U.S., on Thursday, April 11, 2013. California’s prison industry program, whose ventures from coffee-roasting to furniture-building have made it the largest in the U.S., may be endangered by Governor Jerry Brown’s success in reducing inmate overcrowding. Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

Inmate student divers training to become commercial underwater divers gather for a group cheer together after team building exercises at the Marine Technology Training Center, part of the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) in the at the California Institution for Men State Prison Chino in Chino, California, USA on Thursday, April 11, 2013. As part of the diving program, inmates learn that they must work together and trust their instructors and fellow divers in order to be successful. Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

An inmate student training to become a commercial underwater diver wears a surface supplied air helmet diving suit while installing a flange underwater while inmate air tenders and instructor Jeff Powers provide assistance from the surface in the dive tank at the Marine Technology Training Center, part of the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) in the at the California Institution for Men State Prison Chino in Chino, California, USA on Thursday, April 11, 2013. As part of the diving program, inmates learn that they must work together and trust their instructors and fellow divers in order to be successful. Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

Inmate student divers training to become commercial underwater divers perform physical training exercises at the Marine Technology Training Center, part of the California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) in the at the California Institution for Men State Prison Chino in Chino, California, USA on Thursday, April 11, 2013. Before divers are even allowed to work in the diving tanks, they must train extensively in the classroom, pool, and build up their physical strength in order to be successful, as the diving program has a high drop-out rate as many cannot meet the rigorous standards of the program. Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

On Assignment: The New York Times – Eric Garcetti’s Mayoral Campaign

pfallon — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 05:22:34 +0000

Mayoral Candidate and Councilman Eric Garcetti jokes with Robert M. Hertzberg, former Speaker of the California State Assembly, while volunteering to sell 50/50 raffle tickets to benefit the Dalmatian American Club during a campaign stop at the Dalmatian American Club Fish Luncheon on Friday, March 29, 2013 in San Pedro, California. The raffle raised $315 for the club, it’s largest raffle yet. Patrick T. Fallon/For The New York Times

A Mariachi band plays for Mayoral Candidate and Councilman Eric Garcetti as he campaigns for the office of Mayor of Los Angeles at a Latino’s For Garcetti fundraising event on Friday, March 29, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Patrick T. Fallon/For The New York Times

Two teenage boys riding bicycles on Crenshaw Boulevard listen to Mayoral Candidate and Councilman Eric Garcetti campaign for the office of Mayor of Los Angeles on Friday, March 29, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Patrick T. Fallon/For The New York Times

Mayoral Candidate and Councilman Eric Garcetti, left, walks past a poster of Barack Obama with Garcetti hanging on the wall of a campaign office as he campaigns for the office of Mayor of Los Angeles on Friday, March 29, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Patrick T. Fallon/For The New York Times

A poster of Mayoral Candidate and Councilman Eric Garcetti with Barack Obama hangs outside the campaign office of Eric Garcetti for Mayor in South Los Angeles as he campaigns for the office of Mayor of Los Angeles on Friday, March 29, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Patrick T. Fallon/For The New York Times

Mayoral Candidate and Councilman Eric Garcetti campaigns for the office of Mayor of Los Angeles at the Dalmatian American Club Fish Luncheon on Friday, March 29, 2013 in San Pedro, California. Patrick T. Fallon/For The New York Times

Mayoral Candidate and Councilman Eric Garcetti volunteers to sell 50/50 raffle tickets to benefit the Dalmatian American Club during a campaign stop at the Dalmatian American Club Fish Luncheon on Friday, March 29, 2013 in San Pedro, California. The raffle raised $315 for the club, it’s largest raffle yet. Patrick T. Fallon/For The New York Times

Mayoral Candidate and Councilman Eric Garcetti campaigns for the office of Mayor of Los Angeles at a Latino’s For Garcetti fundraising event on Friday, March 29, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Patrick T. Fallon/For The New York Times

Mayoral Candidate and Councilman Eric Garcetti dances with the event’s host Nilza Serrano as he campaigns for the office of Mayor of Los Angeles at a Latino’s For Garcetti fundraising event on Friday, March 29, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Patrick T. Fallon/For The New York Times

Mayoral Candidate and Councilman Eric Garcetti chats outside with supporters before attending a Latino’s For Garcetti fundraising event on Friday, March 29, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Patrick T. Fallon/For The New York Times

A Garcetti for Mayor volunteer holds a parking sign on a darkened street with the Downtown Los Angeles skyline on the horizon directing cars to a Latino’s For Garcetti fundraising event as Councilman Eric Garcetti campaigns for the office of Mayor of Los Angeles on Friday, March 29, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Patrick T. Fallon/For The New York Times

Mayoral Candidate and Councilman Eric Garcetti hugs a supporter goodbye as he departs a Latino’s For Garcetti fundraising event on Friday, March 29, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Patrick T. Fallon/For The New York Times

On Assignment: Los Angeles Times – Remembering Angela Sandoval

pfallon — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 05:59:32 +0000

Montebello, CA – Monday, April 1, 2013: A young girl wears a T-shirt in memory of 13-year-old Angela Sandoval as friends and classmates of Sandoval hold a candlelight vigil at Eastmont Intermediate School on Monday, April 1, 2013 in Montebello, Calif. Sandoval was one of five killed Saturday morning in a Nevada crash where authorities say 18-year-old suspected drunk driver Jean Soriano slammed his Dodge Durango into the back of the family’s Chevy Astro van. (Patrick T. Fallon/ For the Los Angeles Times)

Montebello, CA – Monday, April 1, 2013: Friends and classmates of 13-year-old Angela Sandoval hold a candlelight vigil at Eastmont Intermediate School on Monday, April 1, 2013 in Montebello, Calif. Sandoval was one of five killed Saturday morning in a Nevada crash where authorities say 18-year-old suspected drunk driver Jean Soriano slammed his Dodge Durango into the back of the family’s Chevy Astro van. (Patrick T. Fallon/ For the Los Angeles Times)

Montebello, CA – Monday, April 1, 2013: Leighla Carbajal, 12, is hugged by Vanessa Luna, 13, right, after placing a candle for her friend, 13-year-old Angela Sandoval, at a candlelight vigil at Eastmont Intermediate School on Monday, April 1, 2013 in Montebello, Calif. Sandoval was one of five killed Saturday morning in a Nevada crash where authorities say 18-year-old suspected drunk driver Jean Soriano slammed his Dodge Durango into the back of the family’s Chevy Astro van. (Patrick T. Fallon/ For the Los Angeles Times)

On Assignment: Bloomberg News – Town Hall Los Angeles

pfallon — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 05:35:58 +0000

An electrical issue caused a blackout at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, which made for a tough shoot, but a few interesting frames.

Dr. John C. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, speaks during a blackout requiring the use of glow sticks and generators to light the room at the Town Hall Los Angeles luncheon held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California, U.S., on on Wednesday, April 3, 2013. Photographer: Patrick Fallon/Bloomberg

On Assignment: Reuters – Jackson Courthouse Stakeout

pfallon — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 05:12:13 +0000

If I had a nickel every time…

A man takes pictures of the media gathered outside the Los Angeles County Superior Court for the first day of trial in Katherine Jackson’s civil lawsuit against AEG Live claiming that AEG was negligent in hiring Dr. Conrad Murray as Michael Jackson’s physician, Los Angeles, California April 2, 2013. REUTERS/Patrick T. Fallon (UNITED STATES