Friday, November 30, 2007

Kirbyville VIPs


Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Kirbyville's quarterback Aaron Hazlewood (left) and receiver Randy Musgrove (right) pose for a portrait at Kirbyville High School in Kirbyville on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007. The duo have helped push the team deeper into the playoffs.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Boys to Men dinner


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Mark Daire, Jr., 14, (left) and his father Mark Daire, Sr. (right) listen to the featured speaker during the Boys To Men program at Central High School in Beaumont on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007.


Guests listen to introductions during the Boys To Men program at Central High School in Beaumont. The program seeks to pair young men with positive role models within their family, the school or community.


Jacob Kennebrew, 4, works on his engineering skills with plastic forks during the Boys To Men program at Central High School in Beaumont.

Please read, "Central introduces mentoring program for boys" by Dee Dixon.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Bruins go into hibernation


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

West Brook sophomore Stephen Young plays a Sousaphone under the stands before the Class 5A Division II area-around playoff game against Fort Bend Clements in Houston on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007.


West Brook's Christine Michael (No. 33, center) drags Fort Bend Clements' Kyle Hoke (No. 7, bottom) as Dylan Thorwaldson (No. 25, left) moves in to assist during the playoff game. Michael rushed 20 times for 175 yards and three touchdowns during the game.


West Brook's Joshua Powdrill (No. 2, center) powers for yards during the playoff game against Fort Bend Clements.


West Brook fans Karen and Chuck Sayles of Beaumont cheer for the Bruins during the playoff game against Fort Bend Clements. The Bruins held a 12-point advantage during part of the 4th quarter.


West Brook's Jordan Garrett (No. 4, left) bobbles the ball as he's hit by Fort Bend Clements' Dylan Thorwaldson (No. 25, right) during the Class 5A Division II area-around playoff game in Houston. West Brook lost the game 36-33 and is finished for the season.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Central Medical Magnet students


Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Central Medical Magnet High School seniors Adriana Gomez (right) and X'alexis Rawlins (left) share lunch and conversation during a visit from Ugandan representatives at the school in Beaumont on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007. The vice president of Uganda is a medical doctor and sent representatives to arrange exchange students in America.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Takin' down LaMarque


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Lumberton High School junior Ashley Mauer (right) paints the face of Brandtley Matthews (left) before the Lumberton Class 4A Division II playoff football game against LaMarque in Baytown on Friday, Nov. 23, 2007.


Lumberton's Jacob Hanna (No. 24) runs back a kick during the playoff football game against LaMarque. Hanna scored one Raider touchdown.



Lumberton's Cody Hussey (No. 5) runs for his second touchdown during a playoff football game against LaMarque. Hussey accumulated 267 rushing and receiving yards during the game.


Lumberton's Jacob Hanna (No. 24, right) puts pressure on LaMarque's Jarius Kerlegan (No. 18, left) during the Class 4A Division II playoff football game in Baytown. Lumberton won 24-21 and moves to the regional final.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Lawn decor


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

John Hughes installs an "Eight maids a-milking" lawn ornament at his parents' home on Thomas Road in Beaumont on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007.


John Hughes installs parts of the "Six geese a-laying" lawn ornament at his parents' home on Thomas Road. Hughes's and his wife Sharon have hand-design and presented a new ornament of the 12 Days of Christmas to his parents for the last 10 years.


John Hughes installs the "Nine ladies dancing" lawn ornament section at his parents' home on Thomas Road in Beaumont. The newest addition, "10 lords a-leaping" will be added this Christmas.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Kelly finale


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Kelly's Donnie Carona (No. 9) waits on the kickoff during a first-round TAPPS Division I playoff game against Fort Worth Nolan at Kelly High School in Beaumont on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007.


Kelly's Anthony Fazio (No. 7) throws a pass during a playoff game against Fort Worth Nolan Catholic at Kelly, also a Catholic high school.



Kelly quarterback Anthony Fazio (No. 7, center) gets surrounded by Fort Worth Nolan players during a football playoff game at Kelly High School.


Kelly's Donnie Carona (No. 9, right) gets hit by Fort Worth Nolan's Michael Shields (No. 6, left) during a playoff football game.



Kelly's Donnie Carona (No. 9, left) dives for a touchdown and is facemasked by Nolan's John Phillip Boudreaux (No. 8, right) during a TAPPS playoff game at Kelly High School in Beaumont. Kelly entered the game undefeated for the season.


Fort Worth Nolan's John Phillip Boudreaux (No. 8, left) strips the ball from Kelly's Donnie Carona (No. 9) as Nolan's Michael Shields (No. 6, right) makes a hit during a first-round TAPPS playoff football game at Kelly High School in Beaumont. Kelly lost the game 28-24 and was eliminated.

Friday, November 23, 2007

Seasonal shopping solutions

If you're shopping for gifts for photographers or photojournalists (PJs) in your life (or want to drop a hint to your parents or significant other), I've compiled this little list of useful items under $100 and under $50. There's also some stocking stuffers at the bottom (under $25). The trick is to order before Dec. 1 to get the equipment before the holidays at a reasonable shipping price.

If budget doesn't matter, take a look at cameras, lenses and video equipment. PJs need to remember that whatever they buy before the end of the year for their business is a write off. :-)

Pro PJs shopping for their own inventory probably would prefer rooting through the PJ Candy Store because the list is more complete.

Books and photo-related software are always safe and appreciated gifts. Otherwise, you'll need to know a bit about the PJ. Find out what equipment they already have. Most importantly, you'll need to know the camera system they own.

I'll try to list item below in the most useful order for new photographers.

Nice photo items under $100:

Bogen 3231 Professional Monopod with deatchable Legs
This is a PJ's primary support. The legs on this unit make it critical for VJs and PJs moving toward video. I got one recently and can't imagine life before it.
Kata W-94 GDC Waist-Pack for complete DSLR camera system
I just got mine and already love it. It comes with a small elastic rain cover for the entire bag. It's not deep, but it's long enough for a 200mm and still has lots of room. It's still better to add a 200mm pouch. You may need to hand sew some elastic bands inside the lid to hold a dry reporter's notebook.
Lowepro Sideline Shooter
A smaller profile option.
Nikon PK 13 - Extension tube
Canon EF 12 II Extension Tube For EOS Digital Cameras
Stroboframe Press-T Flash Rotating Bracket
This gets a flash off camera and helps eliminate red-eye. A palm-sized mini-DV recorder can be mounted instead of a flash to handle both at one time.
Bogen 8' light stand
The best starter height. Two are better than one, but one is better than none.
Kata RC-15 (CRC-15) Compact Rain Cover for DVR
Lexar 4GB Professional Series CompactFlash Card 133x ( CF4GB-133-380 ) (Retail Package)
Domke PhoTOGS vests
These vests were designed for PJs. Mostly film shooters use vests anymore, however new PJs may opt for a vest to be easily "recognizable."
Wein PN Peanut Slave (100' Range) set of 3 - for digital cameras
These make flashes fire when another flash is fired.

Useful photo items under $50:

Black and Decker VEC1046BD 400 Watt inverter
Powerful enough for most uses.
Bogen Quick Action Super Clamp
This item is useful for everything from camera to light support. It's light and small enough to fit in a camera bag and works as a backup or special use support.
Bogen Back-Lite Stand
A great piece for someone starting to "get" lighting. Small, durable and effective as part of an infrared trip cord system as well. Also works as a very stable tabletop tripod.
Bogen adjustable pole for back light stand
This adds height to the item above for quality directional lighting.
LumiQuest ProMax SoftBox
I can't shoot without mine.
Sony TCM-400DV Pressman Standard Cassette Recorder
Hodgman® chest waders Bantam weight 2-ply nylon / rubber chest waders w/ cleated soles green
I paid almost double this price locally. These waders work great in floods. They also have quick disconnect suspenders to keep PJs from drowning if they fill with water (or fire ants).
Crazy Creek Sports Chair
This is useful for most indoor sporting events. It won't damage the floor (or out-of-bounds players) while saving PJs a chiropractic visit after a hoops tournament.

Stocking stuffer photo items under $25:

Roscolux Swatch Book , small sampler of almost every filter
This is extremely inexpensive and very useful for flash filtration. The samples fit over most flash heads. Get two books and have a spare to replace damaged gels. This is probably the single best bargain of all photo supplies.
Pelican Case 1020 Black
Technically, it's a case, but use it as a waterproof, crushproof, airtight disk wallet for memory cards
Lowepro DMC-Z for memory cards. Made of neoprene - black
LumiQuest Snoot
27 Watts 5500K Color corrected daylight fluorescent lamp photo bulb - 2 Pack
Put some of these in regular lightbulb sockets to ease eyestrain, save energy and make every neighbor jealous of your home photos. Can be used as a cumulative bank light, to provide a cool, low-power, continuous light source.
Memorex 700MB/80-Minute 52x CD-R Media (100-Pack Spindle)
Tape Recorder to Telephone Adapter
Sto-Fen Omni Bounce
Some folks really love these. If this is your softener of choice, you'll need a white, green (for Fl) and gold (for tungsten) one to match your specific flash.
Azden omni-directional Lavalier microphone lapel mic. Unit includes lapel clip and can attach to most digital audio devices as well.
Orange Mesh Safety Vest with 2" Reflective Tape
Coleman Float Head Lamp , battery operated
Bottle Top Camera Pod
6" Length Nylon spring clamps
Stanley 66-039 6-Piece Jewelers Precision Screwdriver Set
Boonie hat
Probrella Portable Compact Umbrella
Protects against sun, heat and rain damage.

Enough for now,