photography by LA Daily News Photographer Hans Gutknecht

Matthew Yarber, 12-years-old, Greenwood Village, Colorado, after Spectral Motion special effects artist Bernie Eichholz turned him into the Joker from the movie The Dark Knight at the Glendale creature and props company. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles made Matthew's wish to meet and be made up by a professional possible. Matthew suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a degenerative condition that requires him to use a wheelchair. (Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer)
Click on photo for a time-lapse of his makeup session

Blaze wears sun glasses as he sticks his head out of the window of Sam Simon Foundation Assistance Dog Program Instructor Lori Ramey’s vehicle in Thousand oaks, Ca. Blaze was rescued from a Ventura County animal shelter to be trained as a psychiatric service dog for US Army Iraqi War veteran Tracey Cooper-Harris who suffers from PTSD. (Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer)
To see more photos and videos of the 10-months I spent following Blaze click here

Dancer Skip Cunningham will be performing at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem. (Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer)
click the link Dancing BOB
Click to watch slide show on Ahmed Abdullah
Ahmed Abdullah plays his clarinet at the Canoga Blvd. off ramp from the 101 freeway in Woodland Hills Wednesday, May 28, 2008. Abdullah has been entertaining motorists in the San Fernando Valley since 1992.