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Smoke from the Sesnon fire billows over Porter Ranch in the northwest San Fernando Valley.
Best of 2008 Photography >> Best of 2008 Main >>  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Patrick Franks takes a break from digging for items in the ruins of his family home, which burned during the Freeway Complex fire.
Best of 2008 Photography >> Best of 2008 Main >>  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Family members and others gather for the funeral of Jamiel Shaw II, 17, a high school football star who was shot to death.
Best of 2008 Photography >> Best of 2008 Main >>  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

A protester screams outside the Mormon Temple in Westwood during a demonstration decrying the passage of Prop. 8.
Best of 2008 Photography >> Best of 2008 Main >>  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Clouds part to permit a view of the Earth’s shadow creeping across the full moon during a total lunar eclipse.
Best of 2008 Photography >> Best of 2008 Main >>  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Rescuers work to pull people from mangled wreckage after the deadly crash of a Metrolink train and a freight train in Chatsworth.
Best of 2008 Photography >> Best of 2008 Main >>  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Chat R. Warner of the L.A. Chapter of Bible Believers shouts at some of the Prop. 8 protesters who gathered in front of City Hall.
Best of 2008 Photography >> Best of 2008 Main >>  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

The remains of the burned house after a man dressed as Santa Claus opened fire and set the house ablaze on Christmas Eve.
Best of 2008 Photography >> Best of 2008 Main >>  (Stefano Paltera / Los Angeles Times)