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,

Quick Tips to Improve Photos Video

 video, narration, beats by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com
photos by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.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,

Savory Tips to Improve Photos

video, narration, beats by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com
photos by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.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 / © DFWmark.com
photos by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.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 / © DFWmark.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,

Lake Lewisville boat wreck

© Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

A Texas game warden leaves the Lakeview Marina Gas Dock after air ambulances evacuated injured boaters on Lake Lewisville in Lake Dallas on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010. Eight children and four adults were injured in the two-boat accident.

The game warden refused to talk at the time. Much was/is strange and unresolved about this story...

Please read, "Lewisville Lake crash under investigation" by Kerry Solan / The Dallas Morning News.

Easter excitement

© Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Emergency workers welcome Easter by moving a woman to an awaiting ambulance in Plano on Sunday, April 12, 2009. Police arrived first at the scene.

I have no idea what happened, but a Plano police officer ran past my balcony with what appeared to be a drawn weapon. So, I grabbed my camera and waited. Then the firefighters showed up and helped a woman into an awaiting ambulance. No matter the circumstances, it's not the best way for anyone to start Easter.

I wish everyone a happy, healthy and calm Easter.

Tropical Storm Edouard hits

A monument to the victims of the Storm of 1900 stands on the Galveston Sea Wall as swimmers mock Tropical Storm Edouard in Galveston on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008. The storm's eye came ashore near High Island, Texas in Galveston County.

photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com



Swimmers mock Tropical Storm Edouard in Galveston. Some flooding is expected throughout the region as the storm moves further inland.


Many businesses remain closed as Tropical Storm Edouard blows through Galveston.


The Robert C. Lanier ferry of the Texas Department of Transportation's fleet continues operations across the Galveston Bay during Tropical Storm Edouard.


Flags struggle to stay attached in Tropical Storm Edouard's winds at an RV Park near Rollover Pass in Gilchrist.


Gulls fly backwards in Tropical Storm Edouard's winds as an RV Park near Rollover Pass floods in Gilchrist.


Carol Vidrine holds her head as several feet of water flood her home in Gilchrist during Tropical Storm Edouard.


A beach house is isolated by floodwater as Tropical Storm Edouard continues in Gilchrist.


Wooden lawn objects and a dock wash through a Gilchrist neighborhood during Tropical Storm Edouard.


Gilchrist neighbors Curtis Morgan (left) and P.J. Vidrine (right) swap tales during the tail end of Tropical Storm Edouard.


Timmy Daigle rides an all-terrain vehicle through his neighborhood during Tropical Storm Edouard in Gilchrist.


Gilchrist neighbors P.J. Vidrine (left) and Curtis Morgan (right) examine wreckage from a beach house balcony during the tail end of Tropical Storm Edouard.


Timmy Daigle (bottom) checks on his neighbors Carol Vidrine (left) and her mother Juanita Hall (right) during Tropical Storm Edouard in Gilchrist.


Curtis Morgan sits on the side of his hot tub and waits for waters to recede during Tropical Storm Edouard in Gilchrist.


Entergy employees Terry Phillips (left) and Alvin Sullivan (right) work to restore power during Tropical Storm Edouard in High Island. Thousands of residents were left without power in Jefferson and Chambers Counties. The storm's eye came ashore near High Island, Texas.


Please also see Calm before Edouard.

Wish you were here

A Texas Department of Transportation sign in Shenandoah warns motorists on Interstate 45 in preparation of Tropical Storm Edouard on Monday, Aug. 4, 2008.

© Mark M. Hancock / ZUMA


The storm is expected to hit Galveston County on Tuesday morning as a Category 1 hurricane. The National Hurricane Center has issued a Hurricane Watch from West of Intracoastal City, La. to Port O'Connor, Texas.

Please also see: Calm before Edouard and Tropical Storm Edouard hits.

Rough morning

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Beaumont firefighter Jeffrey Nesom waits for a wrecker at the site of a two-car injury-collision near the corner of Magazine and North Main streets in Beaumont on Thursday, April 24, 2008.

First Baptist Church fire in Kountze

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Firefighters from several Southeast Texas communities help battle a blaze at the First Baptist Church in Kountze. The historic church was consumed by the fire.

See a larger version of this slideshow.

Please read, "Fire destroys Kountze church" by Fred Davis.

No body found

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Divers search the Lower Neches River Authority canal under Highway 69 near Plant Road in Beaumont on Saturday, March 29, 2008. A woman witnessed a white male jump off the bridge. Fire department officials searched the canal with seven divers because they felt the call was credible. No body was found.

Domestically disturbed fire

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Beaumont firefighters battle a blaze at a home in the 2500 block of South Street in Beaumont on Tuesday, March 25, 2008. Police said the fire began after a man attacked his mother with a machete while she was lying in bed.


Beaumont firefighters battle a blaze at a home in the 2500 block of South Street. The injured 72-year-old woman* forced her son, 49*, from the bedroom and locked the door. Capt. Earl White said fires were set in two locations in the house. White said the man could face arson charges carrying up to a 20-year prison sentence and $10,000 fine.


Beaumont firefighters pull a burned bed from a home in the 2500 block of South Street. The mother needed emergency surgery for defensive cuts on her arms and chest. The son suffered burns over 50 percent of his body and was flown to Galveston, where he was listed in critical condition.

Please read, "Son is accused of arson and machete attack" by Dee Dixon and Paul S. Martinez.

* No names on this story until the police file charges.

Lumberton brush fire

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Lumberton fire marshal Jim Philp investigates following a 24-acre fire in a wooded area of Lumberton off Wheeler Road in Lumberton on Friday, Feb. 8, 2008. Philp said lack of humidity has dried out vegetation and increased the likelihood of fires spreading rapidly.


Smoke drifts down a burned path following a multi-acre fire in a wooded area of Lumberton. High winds allowed the fire to spread rapidly.


A stump continues to burn as Lumberton fire officials investigate the cause of a multi-acre fire in a wooded area of Lumberton. No structures were damaged in the fire.

Please read "Lumberton firefighters believe 3-alarm fire might remain mystery" by Julie Shehane.

Bus wreck victim

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Emergency workers evacuate an injured person after a minivan ran into the back of a Vidor ISD bus on Main Street in Vidor on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007.

Sabine search for missing boaters

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Eric Bruno (from left to right), Mandy Ardoin and Jeff Melancon search for Craig Phelps, 27, and Roger Frank, 18, near the Sabine River Bridge (I-10) in Orange, Texas on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007.


Craig Phelps' friends and family members gather under the Sabine River Bridge (I-10) as officials continue to search the Sabine River near Orange. The Frank family searched from a different location. Craig Phelps' 3-year-old son, Kenneth Phelps, was found alone in a stranded aluminum boat hours after Phelps had gone to search for Roger Frank. Frank's canoe overturned on Tuesday.


Officials continue to search for missing boaters near the Sabine River Bridge (I-10) on the Louisiana side of the Sabine River near Orange, Texas.


A Coast Guard helicopter flies over the Sabine River Bridge (I-10) as the search for two missing boaters continues in Orange.


US Coast Guard petty officers Chris Coleman (bow) and Felix Bultron pass an Orange County Sheriff's boat as both search for Craig Phelps and Roger Frank near the Sabine River Bridge (I-10) in Orange, Texas. Phelps was searching for Roger Frank when he was reported missing as well.


US Coast Guard petty officers Chris Coleman (left) and Felix Bultron (right) search for Craig Phelps and Roger Frank near the Sabine River Bridge (I-10).


US Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Chris Coleman searchs for Craig Phelps and Roger Frank on the Sabine River, which is the border between Texas and Louisiana.

Please read "Treacherous Sabine River torments two families" by Mike D. Smith.

Hurricane Humberto slideshow

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

To make the show play better, CLICK HERE to view only this post.

Hurricane Humberto developed from a tropical depression into a strong Category 1 hurricane in 18 hours. Most Southeast Texas residents went to bed expecting a bad storm and some morning flooding. Instead, Hurricane Humberto hit hard and fast. For residents of High Island and surrounding communities it hit with unpresidented fury.

Luckily, there was only one hurricane-related fatality.

Orange church fire

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Firefighters from across Orange County work to contain a blaze in the parsonage of the Old First Orange Baptist Church in Orange on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007. The church was established in 1857 and was rebuilt after Hurricane Rita.

Flash flooding

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

A truck turns from Highway 124 into the Market Basket parking lot in Winnie on Friday, July 6, 2007. Area flooding made several streets impassable in Chambers county.


Riley Thornton, 5, of Lufkin floats on his bodyboard over North Gayle Street in Gilchrist after flooding covered the Bolivar Peninsula street.



Vehicles take turns driving through clear passes on Highway 87 in Gilchrist after flooding covered parts of the highway. Area flooding made several streets impassable in Galveston County.

Habeas corpus

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Evidence remains marked as Beamont police investigate a murder-suicide near the intersection of Euclid and Park streets in Beaumont on Thursday, March 15, 2007. Police said the shooting was an act of domestic violence.
Witnesses said James Ray "Bubba" Dean chased Michele Dean, his wife, down the street and shot her. She later died at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital. He also shot and damaged a city vehicle in the process. Then, he shot and killed himself.


Beamont police investigate a murder-suicide near the body of James Ray "Bubba" Dean on Harriot Street near Park Street in Beaumont. He had a criminal record including convictions for narcotics, family violence and driving while intoxicated.
Michael Wilkerson, the sanitation worker who tried to save the woman, was shaken up but unharmed after the shooting, police said.

Please read "Gunshots end stormy marriage" by Sarah Moore.