Quick Tips to Improve Photos Video

video, narration, beats by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com
photos by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com, The Beaumont Enterprise and/or The Dallas Morning News

Please watch and share “Quick Tips to Improve Photos.”
The companion "cheat sheet" on this blog is located here: quick-tips-to-improve-your-photos.

This version is visual hot sauce to some. There is a slower version to savor each frame. It's located at "Savory Tips to Improve Photos."

Please share and subscribe to the NewsEagles YouTube channel (it’s free and easy). Please follow this link, sign in to YouTube (or create an account) and hit SUBSCRIBE at www.youtube.com/newseagles

Although I will do some additional work in the future, this is my Magnum Opus.

Enough for now,

Instagram Posts - August 2018

video, photos and SoundStripe by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com

This is the recap of the Instagram feed at https://www.instagram.com/mark.m.hancock.

This is the recap of the August 2018 Instagram feed. This month includes colorful candy, toys, nature, various military uniforms, a pet rock in Indiana, a bottle of Iraqi Arak in Rochester Hills, Michigan along with ever-evolving food. All photos made with an iPhone and includes an original SoundStripe music composition.

Instagram Posts - July 2018

video, photos and SoundStripe by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com

This is the recap of the Instagram feed at https://www.instagram.com/mark.m.hancock.

This is the recap of the July 2018 Instagram feed. This month included our patriotic Independence Day yard decorations, images from a trip to Rochester Hills, Michigan (near Detroit) along with tasty food and lots of summertime flowers. All photos made with an iPhone and includes an original SoundStripe music composition.

Instagram Posts - June 2018

video, photos and SoundStripe by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com

This is the recap of the June 2018 Instagram feed at https://www.instagram.com/mark.m.hancock.

This month included images from two trips to Rochester Hills, Michigan (near Detroit) along with even more tasty food. All photos made with an iPhone and includes an original SoundStripe music composition.

Instagram Posts - May 2018

video, photos and SoundStripe by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com

This is the recap of the May 2018 Instagram feed at https://www.instagram.com/mark.m.hancock.

This month included some images from warm San Diego, California and rainy spring days in Detroit, Michigan along with lots of tasty food. All photos made with an iPhone.

San Diego - Art

photos, soundstripe and video by
Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com

Various modes of art imbue the Southern California city around San Diego on April 8 to 11, 2018.

This is the second of the San Diego series. Please subscribe and be the first to see additional slideshows about San Diego’s Animals, Art, Architecture and Aquatica.

Included in this slideshow video are images of various art: public art, statues, landscape, flowers, mosaics, tile, steel, chrome, food, culinary, cuisine, graffiti, kitsch, functional, municipal, fountain, waterscape, wrought iron, colorful pinwheels, windsocks, kites, fountains, abstracts, performances, corporate, glass, safety, camouflage, natural, transportation, tourism, plaza, dessert.


Please share and subscribe to the NewsEagles YouTube channel (it’s free and easy). Please follow this link, sign in to YouTube (or create an account) and hit SUBSCRIBE at www.youtube.com/newseagles


Enough for now,

Instagram Posts - April 2018

photos and soundstripe by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com

This is the recap of the April 2018 Instagram feed at https://www.instagram.com/mark.m.hancock. This month included some cold days at home, some warm days in sunny San Diego, California and lots of tasty food. All photos made with an iPhone. Royalty-free licenses are available for the Soundstripe (music) through my Pond5 account at https://www.pond5.com/artist/newseagles. It is titled, “Xtown Disco-2 features funk and jazz with a 70s flair.”

Included in this slideshow video are food, fire, dogs, salmon, storms, hamburger, ceiling fan, San Diego, California, flowers, pancakes, statues, taxes, Turkish gyros, art, "Flame Of Friendship," coffee, Petco Park, palm trees, seagulls, Childrens Park, fruit basket, Patrons Corner restaurant, churros, architecture, breakfast, trolley, tourists, USS Midway aircraft carrier, filet mignon, kabob, Seal Tour boat, and a JetBoat

San Diego: Animals

photos and soundstripe by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com

Local and imported wildlife thrive in the mild climate around San Diego, California on April 9, 2018.

Included in this slideshow video are native animals such as sea lions, seagulls, grackles, brown pelicans, cormorants, and grebes. This slideshow also contains rare images of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins training at the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program. These dolphins are trained in mine detection and clearance as well as equipment recovery.
This is the first of the San Diego series. Please subscribe and be the first to see additional slideshows about San Diego’s Art, Architecture and Aquatica.


Please share and subscribe to the NewsEagles YouTube channel (it’s free and easy). Please follow this link, sign in to YouTube (or create an account) and hit SUBSCRIBE at www.youtube.com/newseagles


Enough for now,

My Royalty-free Music and More is on Pond5

Pond5 displays seven music compositions by Mark M. Hancock / NewsEagles. Pond5 accepted all 17 compositions submitted into their royalty-free music library.

If you need quality royalty-free products for your projects (slideshows, video, movies, commercials and more), I suggest Pond5.
They accepted my first 17 song submissions. If you want to purchase a royalty-free license to these or future music, photos, video, After Effects, illustrations and more, please go directly to my page:
https://www.pond5.com/artist/newseagles#1/2064

Enough for now,

Mardi Gras World Tour

photos and soundstripe by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com

Artisans work while tourists are guided through the Mardi Gras World fabrication areas and float den in New Orleans on April 13, 2015. The facility prepares and manages more than 500 floats. Artists work all year, and tours are available every day except Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday).


Please share and subscribe to the NewsEagles YouTube channel (it’s free and easy). Please follow this link, sign in to YouTube (or create an account) and hit SUBSCRIBE at www.youtube.com/newseagles


Enough for now,

Video Portfolio playlist on NewsEagles

I created a new video Portfolio playlist on the NewsEagles Channel. It includes both PhotoJournalism and Squadron TV work. I'll add more in the future.

Enough for now,

Savory Tips to Improve Photos

video, narration, beats by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com
photos by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com, The Beaumont Enterprise and/or The Dallas Morning News

Please watch and share.

This is the long form of this video. It allows viewers more time to savor each image. For a spicier version of this same presentation, please see "Quick Tips to Improve Photos." It is only about 14 minutes long. Don't blink.

The companion "cheat sheet" on this blog is located here: quick-tips-to-improve-your-photos.

Please share and subscribe to the NewsEagles YouTube channel (it’s free and easy). Please follow this link, sign in to YouTube (or create an account) and hit SUBSCRIBE at www.youtube.com/newseagles

Although I will do some additional work in the future, this is my Magnum Opus.


Enough for now,

Know Your Rights as a Citizen Photojournalist

video, narration, beats by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com
photos by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com, The Beaumont Enterprise and/or The Dallas Morning News

Do you know your rights as a photojournalist?
Please watch “Know Your Rights as a Citizen Photojournalist.”


Please share and subscribe to the NewsEagles YouTube channel (it’s free and easy). Please follow this link, sign in to YouTube (or create an account) and hit SUBSCRIBE at www.youtube.com/newseagles

Enough for now,

What is a Photojournalist? (short video version)

video by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com

Have you ever wondered about the why, how or what of being a photojournalist?
Please watch “What is a Photojournalist?” – the shortened version.

Also, if you’re not a subscriber please subscribe to my YouTube channel (it’s free and easy). Please follow this link, sign in to YouTube (or create an account) and hit SUBSCRIBE at www.youtube.com/newseagles

Enough for now,

NYT "The Uncertain Future of Photojournalism"

This NY Times Lens Blog interview with Donald R. Winslow is brutally direct about the future of photojournalism.

Even if you are at the top of your game, you’ll need real income to support your photojournalism habit.

Enough for now,

Thanksgiving Inflatable

video and music by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com A new turkey yard ornament inflates to celebrate the Thanksgiving season at our house in Frisco on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. I composed the soundtrack with classical piano and bebop drum loops in GarageBand.

Halloween Decorations 2016

video by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com Our Halloween decorations are ready for trick-or-treaters at our home in Frisco on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. I composed the soundtrack with various music loops in GarageBand.

DFW Paddle: Trinity River, Elm Fork with Steve

video by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com

We take a DFW Paddle about 5 miles down the Elm Fork of the Trinity River from the Trinity River Kayak Co in Coppell to Sam Houston Trail Park in Irving on Sunday, April 19, 2015. The water is unusually high and fast during one of the wettest springs in Texas history. Consequently, there aren’t many animals along the way, but we do briefly encounter a gator and some highly aggressive butterflies. I composed the soundtrack with various “Shetland” music loops in GarageBand. This is a video in the DFW Paddle series.
Please also see: DFW Paddle: White Rock Creek and White Rock Creek Critters

Memorial Weekend 2005 video

Photos Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise
Music composed by Mark M. Hancock / Newseagles.com

Please see this slideshow video of Memorial Weekend events in Southeast Texas during 2005. Memorial events take place in Southeast Texas during Memorial Weekend 2005. Events include an annual memorial presentation at Heritage Veterans Memorial Plaza in Orange, Texas; the Freedom Remember Memorial Day Services at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont; and a Memorial Day program at the Golden Triangle Veterans Memorial Park in Port Arthur.

Please subscribe to the NewsEagles channel on YouTube.
Enough for now,

What Is A Photojournalist?

video ©  Mark M. Hancock 
photos © Mark M. Hancock, The Beaumont Enterprise or Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

This presentation is an updated version of a speech given at the New York Press Association Annual Convention in 2008. This presentation is intended for non-photojournalists and especially students considering photojournalism as a career. To see more videos, please visit and subscribe to the NewsEagles channel on YouTube. More to come. 


Enough for now,

Lakeview Centennial vs. Rowlett basketball

photo © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Lakeview Centennial's Michael Thomas-Vaughan (21) scrambles for ball control against Rowlett's Albert Coleman (50) and Nathan Hawkins (32) during a basketball game at Lakeview Centennial High School in Garland on Friday, Jan. 20, 2012.

Lakeview Centennial battles Rowlett during a high school basketball game at Lakeview Centennial High School in Garland on Friday, Jan. 20, 2012. Both teams entered the game in a three-way tie for first place in District 10-5A.

Please ensure your video setting is at 1080p to see the images in high definition.

Some older slideshows and stories got eliminated from different newspapers websites. To keep images more permanently visible beyond my years, I'll move some onto YouTube. I didn't like the soundless version, so I'll add unique beats, piano or some loop combo to the background. You're welcome to turn off the volume. This is an older slideshow I hadn't posted yet. All the other older images will be posted to the actual shoot date to keep the blog better organized.

Welcome to a new academic year

Like it or not, a new academic year has started. If you’re new to PhotoJournalism, welcome. If you’re an old timer, I’m still alive. ;-)

While I plan to fill the missing gaps with slideshows, I also plan to post slideshows (with and without sound) onto my YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/NewsEagles. Then, the images will have a home long after I’m gone. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel to see everything.

For newcomers, please read through the links at the top of the sidebar. Of primary interest should be:
Welcome to PJ 
What is a PJ? 
All PJ-related posts

Enough for now,

Trinity River Challenge 2014

  video by Mark M. Hancock / © NewsEagles.com

Racers participate in the Trinity River Challenge kayak and canoe race on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River in Carrollton and Lewisville on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014.

I got 3rd place in the Small Recreational Kayak division. It wasn't broken down by age, so I'm happy with the results under the circumstances. Here are the official results.

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/NewsEagles

Desoto vs. South Oak Cliff football

Desoto sophomore quarterback Jaylin Nelson (12) throws a controversial pass while balancing on an arm as South Oak Cliff junior Izaeh Tisby (88) approaches during a high school football game at Maverick Stadium in Arlington on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014.

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Desoto battles South Oak Cliff during a high school football game at Maverick Stadium in Arlington on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014. Desoto won the game 53-13.


Please see the full YouTube slideshow.

FC Dallas vs. Salt Lake soccer match

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News
FC Dallas' Tesho Akindele (13) kicks the ball away from Salt Lake's Nat Borchers (6) during a Major League Soccer match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco on Friday, Aug. 22, 2014.


Please see a larger version of this slideshow.
FC Dallas battles Salt Lake during a Major League Soccer match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco on Friday, Aug. 22, 2014. FC Dallas won the game 2-1.

Frisco Starfest

Linda Fields of Frisco looks at the moon through a telescope while the Jindal family prepares for their turn during the Texas Astronomical Society's free Starfest star-gazing party at Frisco Commons Park in Frisco on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014. Starfest events take place on the second Saturday of each month.

photos © Mark M. Hancock andThe Dallas Morning News

Visitors view the cosmos during the Texas Astronomical Society's free Starfest star-gazing party at Frisco Commons Park in Frisco on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014. Starfest events take place on the second Saturday of each month.

Please see the YouTube slideshow with an original music composition.

Smiles Concert

Stephanie Olson of McKinney blows bubbles for her daughter Amelia Olson, 2, before the Smiles Charity Concert at Adriatica in McKinney on Sunday, May 25, 2014.

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Wounded warrior Brian Aft was presented with a new house and Bret Michaels (formerly with Poison) performed in concert during the annual Smiles Charity Concert at Adriatica in McKinney on Sunday, May 25, 2014. The charity event raises funds and presents a wounded warrior with a new house in a good community each year.
Please also see the YouTube version of this slideshow with an original beats composition.

Mesquite Meander cemetery tour

Amanda W. Gott, played by Andrea Himmelsehr, waits for guests during the Mesquite Meander tour at the historic Mesquite Cemetery in Mesquite on Friday, May 16, 2014. The tour featured actors portraying both famous and infamous Mesquite residents.

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

See a larger version of this slideshow.

Guests listen to the stories held within historic Mesquite Cemetery during the Mesquite Meander tour at the Mesquite Cemetery in Mesquite on Friday, May 16, 2014.

Class 5A Region I quarterfinal softball playoff

Lewisville freshman Kaylee Rodriquez (9) bats against Timberview during a Class 5A Region I quarterfinal softball playoff game at Killough field in Lewisville on Saturday, May 10, 2014.

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

See a larger version of this slideshow.

Please watch the YouTube slideshow with an original beats SoundStripe.

Lewisville battles Timberview during a Class 5A Region I quarterfinal softball playoff game at Killough field in Lewisville on Saturday, May 10, 2014. Timberview won the first two games of the series and advanced.

WOGA Classic Gymnastic Competition

Lauren Farley of WOGA (289) performs on the balance beam during the WOGA Classic Gymnastic Competition at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014.

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

See a larger version of this slideshow.

World-class gymnasts compete during the WOGA Classic Gymnastic Competition at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014. WOGA Gymnastics is the home of Olympic champions Nastia Liukin (2008) and Carly Patterson (2004).


Please see the YouTube version of this slideshow with an original beat composition by Mark M. Hancock. Please set your YouTube viewer to 1080p to see the show in high definition.