In news, capturing concern

This year’s news photos reflected closure and endings, political protest and public safety-related incidents that concern us all. When taking these pictures, photographers attempt to reflect the story while making a photo appealing.

For example, Kent Treptow’s picture of Amy Collins speaking about her deceased sister during the sentencing of Janene Johns is our news photo of the year.

The trial was an ongoing process, and the accident that took Candace Tift’s life shocked the community. Janene Johns was sentenced to six years in prison for manslaughter after she ran over the fourth-grade teacher while driving on Pacific Coast Highway in August 2006.

Public safety disasters occurred throughout the year, and the photo staff gave it their all to capture the dramatic moments.

Don Leach’s unpublished shot of the aftermath of a car fire shows how Newport Beach Firefighters worked to contain the small brush blaze ignited by a traffic collision. The firefighters’ quick response time kept the flames from spreading.

Another Don Leach shot shows a sail boat on the shore of Big Corona beach. It’s not every day a boat runs aground here, but the beachgoers standing by the beached boat adds perspective.

Another picture shows protesters demonstrating their opposition to Sarah Palin and the Republican presidential ticket at a fundraiser she was attending in Costa Mesa in the weeks leading to the election.