Leonard Ignelzi, distinguished AP professionalphotographer, passesaway at 74

SAN DIEGO — Leonard Ignelzi, whose propensity for being in the right location at the right time produced awesome images of Hall of Fame sports figures, ravaging wildfires and other significant news over 37 years as professionalphotographer for The Associated Press in San Diego, has passedaway. He was 74.

Ignelzi passedaway Friday in Las Vegas of cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a condition associated with regular strokes and other neurological concerns, according to his partner, Bobbi.

Known as Lenny, he was a extremely flexible photojournalist whose mostsignificant enthusiasms were sports and breaking news. Few individuals, if any, have wentto more Padres baseball or Chargers football videogames, yet he discovered fresh angles with each task upuntil retiring in 2016.

Ignelzi concealed in bushes throughout a shooter’s attack on a McDonald’s diningestablishment in San Diego that eliminated 21 individuals in1984 His images of the U.S.-Mexico border revealed San Diego’s change from dominant passage for unlawful crossings to fortress of razor-topped walls and arena lights.

His enduring wildfire images consistof one of firemens standing awestruck on a grassy plain in San Diego in 2003 as giant plumes filled the sky and sophisticated towards them. Ignelzi raced downhill to send from his automobile since phone towers in the location hadactually been damaged.

Some of his most unforgettable work was in sports: Tiger Woods’ connecting putt in the 2008 U.S. Open that led to his impressive win, Magic Johnson commemorating with the initial “Dream Team” at the 1992 Summer Olympics and professions of the Padres’ Tony Gwynn and Trevor Hoffman and the Chargers’ Dan Fouts.

Deep understanding, a vigorous work principles and intense decision were components of his success. Sally Buzbee, executive editor