Award-Winning Photos

photos, soundstripe, video by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com
photos by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com, The Beaumont Enterprise and/or The Dallas Morning News

This video features International, national, state and regional award-winning photos I created during my 25-year career as a professional photojournalist.

Enough for now,

Wheelchair Frustration

© Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

A basketball player expresses his frustration at missing a shot during a 3-on-3 tournament in Richardson in 1997.

Award-winner: 
1st Place, Feature / Single, NPPA Region 8 monthly clip contest

I've had this print hanging on my wall for years, but I never scanned it for some unknown reason. It was my first professional National Press Photographers Association monthly clip contest win. Unfortunately, I don't have the caption information anymore.

I scanned the image to include it in an upcoming "Award Winners" video slideshow of my work. I also plan to make various portfolio slideshows (PJ categories) since I pulled down my portfolio website when I became a Realtor.

My 2020 plan is to teach FREE photo classes to large groups of adults (I need a less-dangerous hobby). If you are in an organization in Collin County or southeast Denton County that would like to learn more about SLR photography or iPhonography, please call 214-862-7212, text or email. My information is also located on DFWmark.com

Enough for now,

Dewey spider

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

A spider waits in a dewey web in Tyler County on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007. Wednesday morning's thick fog made driving difficult throughout Southeast Texas.

Award Winner:
2nd Place, Feature Photo, Texas Press Association

This image is also the final image in this slideshow. You're not seeing double.

Fair-well

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Fairgoers take in the rides and food during the last weekend of the 2007 South Texas State Fair at Ford Park in Beaumont on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007. Sunday is the final day of the fair.

Award Winner:
2nd Place, Feature Photo, Texas Press Association

Beatdown knockout

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

The official stops the Superfight round as Cedric "Spiderman" Marks delivers a knockout blow to Jon Anthony "El Jaguar" Kirk during the Beaumont Beatdown. Marks won by TKO.

Award winner:
3rd Place, Sports (single image), Southern Newspaper Publishers Association annual Photo of the Year Contest.

Please see the entire package.

WO-S knocked out

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

West Orange-Stark's DePauldrick Garrett (No. 24, left) takes a savage hit from Giddings' Alan Dock (No. 11, right) while trying to catch a pass during a high school football playoff game in Humble on Friday, Nov. 24, 2006. No. 4-ranked Giddings won the game 21-13 and knocked the undefeated Mustangs out of the playoff race.

Award winner:
2nd Place, Sports Photo, Press Club of Southeast Texas, Excellence in Media Awards
 

The Cyclist

Photo mosaics by © Mark M. Hancock / NewsEagles

Jennifer Reynolds poses for a photo mosaic with her racing bike in Port Arthur on Monday, Oct. 9, 2006. To get a competitive edge, cyclists often assemble their bikes with parts from different manufacturers.

Award winner:
1st Place, Illustration, NPPA Region 8 4th Quarter clip contest



For comparison to The Guitarist or The Librarian, this is a scaled 5-by-5 frame section of the image above.


As I've said before, there's no way to digitally experience these images. Detail information can give a viewer a headache. This is an approximate 1:1 section of frame No. 20.

For curious folks, here's the data:

* No. of frames: 225 (15 x 15 frames)
* Shooting time: about 3 hours with no breaks
* Image assembly time: about 9 hours
* Approx full-scale width at 360 ppi: more than 30,000 pixels or 150 inches (12.5 feet)
* Approx full-scale height at 360 ppi: more than 19,680 pixels or 98.4 inches (8.2 feet)
* Approx full-scale file size: 1,689.75 Meg (expanded)
* Exposure range: f/11 at 1/250th on 200iso to f/5.6 at 1/4th on 400iso depending on time and cloud cover
* Initial print size presentation: 32 x 21.68 LightJet print in 40 x 32 frame.
* Number of limited-edition prints: 25 before fine art retirement (editorial, commercial and promotional uses reserved).

* Approx full-scale images are based on 1:1 printing (about 5.6 x 3.6 inches at 360 ppi). Each frame within the image could withstand enlargement to 16 x 20 inches.
* Potential size of future photo mosaics: 1070 x 1070 frames ... you do the math, I've already got a headache.

Enough for now,
 

The Librarian

Photo mosaic by © Mark M. Hancock / NewsEagles

Fayrouz poses as a librarian for a photo mosaic in Beaumont on Sunday, July 30, 2006. This is the first live-person, digital photo mosaic.

Award Winner:
Exhibitor, The Art of Digital Photography Show.



Since it's difficult to tell from the online version. This image from frame 10 shows the detail level of the total image. Folks who see the image in person can see the veins in the leaves and the texture of her sweater.

For curious folks, here's the data:

* No. of frames: 36 (6 x 6 frames)
* Shooting time: about 6 hours with breaks and some problems
* Image assembly time: about 4 hours
* Approx full-scale width at 360 ppi: 12,512 pixels or 34.75 inches (2.89 feet)
* Approx full-scale height at 360 ppi: 8,465 pixels or 23.51 inches (1.96 feet)
* Approx full-scale file size: 303 Meg (expanded .jpg)
* Exposure range: f/8 at 1/250th on 200iso.
* Initial print size presentation: 34.75 x 23.51 print at 360 ppi in 40 x 32 frame.
* Number of limited-edition prints: 25 before fine art retirement (editorial, commercial and promotional uses reserved).

* Approx full-scale images are based on 1:1 printing (about 5.6 x 3.6 inches at 360 ppi). Each frame within the image could withstand enlargement to 16 x 20 inches.
* Potential size of future photo mosaics: 1070 x 1070 frames.

Enough for now,
 

A daughter, a son

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Amanda Collazo (left) is comforted by homeowner Gretta Mitchell (right) following a fatal house fire in Jasper County on Tuesday, July 11, 2006. Collazo's daughter Kyah Collins, 2, and her son Kameron Collins, 3, both died in the fire.

Award winner:   1st Place, News Photo, Press Club of Southeast Texas, Excellence in Media Awards

Award winner:   2nd Place, Spot News, NPPA Region 8 July clip contest

Please see the entire package.
 

Williams memorial

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Linda Breaux gets a hug from a supporter before the memorial service for her son, Marine Staff Sgt. Benjamin D. Williams, at North Orange Baptist Church in Orange on Saturday, July 8, 2006. The LC-M High School graduate and star athlete was killed by an improvised explosive device in Al Anbar province in Iraq on June 20, 2006.

Award winner:   3rd Place, News Photo, Texas Press Association, 2007 Better Newspaper Contest.
 

Alabama-Coushatta Tribe 38th Annual Pow Wow

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise
Competition dancers surround the color guard during the Grand Entry at the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe 38th Annual Pow Wow on the Alabama-Coushatta reservation near Livingston on Friday, June 2, 2006.


Darrell Blackbear with the Bear Claw drum group of Dallas gives a tobacco offering on the drum before the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe 38th Annual Pow Wow on the Alabama-Coushatta reservation.


The tribe's eagle staff features eagle feathers with the names of the tribe's fallen veterans during the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe 38th Annual Pow Wow on the Alabama-Coushatta reservation near Livingston on Friday, June 2, 2006.


Sonny Blackbear (left of center) leads the song of the Bear Claw drum group from Dallas as Mel Whitebird (center in red) prepares to start the gourd dance during the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe 38th Annual Pow Wow on the Alabama-Coushatta reservation.


Crystal Battise of the Alabama-Coushatta tribe gets help with preparations from her mother Missy Hawthorne (right) during the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe 38th Annual Pow Wow on the Alabama-Coushatta reservation.


Angel Bullock, 8, of the Alabama-Coushatta tribe visits with guests during the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe 38th Annual Pow Wow on the Alabama-Coushatta reservation.


Michael Roberts of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma prepares to dance during the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe 38th Annual Pow Wow on the Alabama-Coushatta reservation.


Competition dancers face the color guard during the Grand Entry at the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe 38th Annual Pow Wow on the Alabama-Coushatta reservation.


Competition dancers surround the color guard during the Grand Entry at the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe 38th Annual Pow Wow on the Alabama-Coushatta reservation.


Competition dancers move to the arena during the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe 38th Annual Pow Wow on the Alabama-Coushatta reservation.

Award winner:   2nd Place, Photo Essay, Press Club of Southeast Texas, Excellence in Media Awards


Please read "A heartbeat and a blessing" by Mark M. Hancock.

Please also see Fayrouz's images.
 

Ballet mentors

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Dance students observe as Remeisha Shade performs during a rehearsal for "Cinderella" at Bonnie Cokinos School of Dance in Beaumont on Tuesday, May 9, 2006.

Award Winner:
2nd place, Feature photo, Hearst Honors May clip contest.
 

Jumps

Memorial High School's Hyleta Young demonstrates the triple jump at the school in Port Arthur on Thursday, May 4, 2006.

Photo illustrations by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise


Central High School's Derrick Hall demonstrates his approach to the long jump at the school in Beaumont on Wednesday, May 3, 2006.

Click on the image to see a larger version.

This is similar to last year's example of Jamaal Charles running the hurdle. To learn how the illustration was done, please read Make a digital illustration.

Award Winner:
2nd Place, Graphics, May Hearst Honors
Honorable Mention, Team Page Design, Texas Associated Press Managing Editors (APME) Awards
Honorable Mention, Infographics, Texas APME Awards

 

"They Hunger"

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

John Redumis, 9, of Nederland has his makeup applied by artist Jason Hughes of Beaumont before the filming of "They Hunger" at The Art Studio in Beaumont on Sunday, May 6, 2006.

Award winner:   1st Place, Feature Photo, Press Club of Southeast Texas, Excellence in Media Awards
 

Southeast Texas Mardi Gras

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise It's time for Mardi Gras with a Texas twist. The 2006 event is particularly important because it's a break from the year of hurricanes. Southeast Texans can celebrate their survival and reconstruction. The following links show my images of the 2006 Southeast Texas Mardi Gras activities. Or choose the Mardi Gras label to see the last 20 entries (including more recent images) about Mardi Gras on this site. The Mardi Gras Store 2/17/2006 Aurora Ball dress rehearsal 2/17/2006 Orange Mardi Gras parade 2/18/2006 Aurora Ball 2/18/2006 Courir Parade 2/23/2006 Krewe of Krewes Parade 2/24/2006 Krewe of Aurora Grand Parade 2/25/2006 Munchkin Parade 2/26/2006 Award Winner:   3rd Place, Photo Package, Hearst Honors for a combination of six images from several days. To learn more about Mardi Gras please visit the Southeast Texas Mardi Gras official site.

MS-13 still a problem for PA

Port Arthur's MS-13 street gang has adopted the name associated with violent Salvadorian gangs, which are rapidly spreading across America. However, this gang is not as violent or organized yet. The gang returned after Hurricane Rita and still poses a serious threat for the citizens and police of Port Arthur.


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Port Arthur police officer Marcelo Molfino, a first-generation Latino-American whose family is from Uruguay, listens to the gang-related complaints of a home owner in Port Arthur on Thursday, July 21, 2005.


A scar remains where a bullet tore through a handrail section outside Johnny Costanzo's home in Port Arthur. The bullet missed his house and lodged into a neighbor's home.


A gang member shows his tattoos in Port Arthur. The numbers one and three on his shoulders can be read as 13, which is the gang's symbol.


Johnny Costanzo talks about the rise of gang violence outside his Port Arthur home. Several bullets have been fired into his house.


A gang member shows his tattoo in Port Arthur. The "XIII" is the Roman numeral for 13, which is the gang's symbol.


Port Arthur police officer Patrick Arnett gets passionate about fighting crime and gangs in Port Arthur.


Graffiti "tags" abound on buildings in Port Arthur. Gang members paint the tags to mark their turf or communicate messages to other gang members.


Port Arthur police officers Marcelo Molfino (left) and Patrick Arnett (right) talk about crime trends in Port Arthur.

Related stories originally by Dee Dixon.

Award winner: 2nd Place, Photo Essay, Press Club of Southeast Texas, Excellence in Media Awards

Aaron Brannen, state champion

Aaron Brannen lost his mother to pneumonia. Still, he persevered, practiced and became the Texas State Champion cross country runner.


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise


(Above) Aaron Brannen practices with the 3A cross country team at Bridge City High School in Bridge City.

(Right) Aaron Brannen stretches before practice with the Cardinals cross country team at Bridge City High School.


Aaron Brannen and Sean Aucoin listen to "Breakdown" by Jack Johnson together during lunch at Bridge City High School.


Aaron Brannen (left) waits for instructions from Dedra Morris (right) in the assistant principals office during his period as an office messenger at Bridge City High School.


Aaron Brannen checks information on a board during an English lecture at Bridge City High School.


Aaron Brannen practices guitar while waiting on instant messages from his friends in his room at his father's home in Port Arthur.




(Above) Aaron Brannen (right) listens as Ricky Brennan, his father, (left) reads cross country predictions from a Web site at his father's home in Port Arthur.

(Left) Bridge City High School's Aaron Brannen keeps the lead during the regional cross country track meet in Humble. He won the meet and advanced to the state championships, which he also won.


Award Winner:   2nd place, Web site, Best Sports Picture Story (Unaffiliated Sites), National Press Photographers Association 2006 Best of Photojournalism competition.
 

Rita sunset

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

A mechanical claw appears to reach for the sun as it actually reaches for another load of organic debris at the Beaumont Municipal Airport in Beaumont.

Award winner:   3rd Place, Feature Photo, Press Club of Southeast Texas, Excellence in Media Awards

Homecoming kiss

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Sgt. B.J. Murphy (right) gives his son Hunter, 7 months, (left) a kiss after the company was released at the National Guard Armory in Beaumont on Saturday, May 14, 2005. Meghan Murphy (background) went to Georgia with her husband and gave birth to Hunter there.

Award Winner:
Award of Excellence, General News photo, The Society for Newspaper Design.
1st Place, News Photo, Texas Press Association
3rd place, News photo, Hearst Honors May clip contest.
3rd Place, News Photo, Press Club of Southeast Texas, Excellence in Media Awards
 

Brush fire

Rich Dottellis of the Texas Forest Service back-burns a fire in Evadale on Thursday, April 28, 2005. Many small fires have blazed in the area due to dry underbrush conditions.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise


Award Winner:   2nd place, News photo, Hearst Honors April clip contest.