What Is A Photojournalist?

video © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com
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 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 © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.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.

DFW Paddle: White Rock Lake

video by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

We take a DFW Paddle 8.3 miles around the entire shoreline of White Rock Lake from White Rock Creek near East Lawther and Scout Hill in Dallas on Sunday August 3, 2014. This is the second video in the DFW Paddle series.
Please also see: DFW Paddle: White Rock Creek and White Rock Creek Critters

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.

DFW Paddle - White Rock Creek

video by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

We take our first DFW Paddle 1.7 miles up White Rock Creek from the White Rock Lake near East Lawther and Scout Hill in Dallas on Sunday, July 6, 2014. Since the Speedpaddle didn't work for many, this is a regular-speed tour of the creek. I think it's a better compromise and will be easier to film in the future because I'll know to glide at times.
Please also see: DFW Paddle: White Rock Lake and White Rock Creek Critters

White Rock Creek Critters

video by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

I mounted the GoPro on my kayak's bow and intended to make a "speed paddle" video at White Rock Creek in Dallas on Sunday, June 29, 2014. Unfortunately, at 8X speed, the paddle motion of the kayak would make some people ill. So, here are some of the critters I saw along the way. We'll try the speed paddle another weekend with a head mount. Watch for the snapping turtle. It was huge. Compare the size of it's head to the size of the shopping cart it's hiding near. I tested my GoPro Hero3 with iMovie. They've changed the program considerably since the last time I used it.
Please also see: DFW Paddle: White Rock Lake and DFW Paddle: White Rock Creek

Lunch with the Neighbors

video by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

I gave some apples to our neighbors (a pair of donkeys) in Frisco on Saturday, June 29, 2014. I tested my GoPro Hero3 with iMovie. They've changed the program considerably since the last time I used it.

Seeding The Lawn

video by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

I tested my GoPro Hero3 for the first time. Various mounts let me get some interesting angles. Click the HD button to see what the camera can do if you aren't data restricted. I made/used the music years ago for in-person slideshows, but most of y'all haven't heard it. It's amusing considering the content (yard work). This is the first video loaded on YouTube since they shut down Google Video. I need to upload all those videos onto YouTube and relink them ... in all my spare time...

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
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

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

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.

Bishop Dunne vs. Prestonwood basketball

Bishop Dunne junior Adam Lee (22) shoots between Prestonwood sophomore Schnider Herard (34) and senior Jocob Mathes (4) during a basketball game at Bishop Dunne High School in Dallas on Tuesday Jan. 7, 2014.

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

See a larger version of this slideshow.

Bishop Dunne battles Prestonwood during a high school basketball game at Bishop Dunne High School in Dallas on Tuesday Jan. 7, 2014.

Season's Greetings Y'all

Our stockings are hung on the barbed wire with care during the "ice-pocalypse" at our house in Frisco on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013.
© Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Lincoln vs. Liberty girls hoops playoff

Lincoln senior Katora Criner (24) leans into Frisco Liberty junior Tori Flemming (24) during a high school basketball playoff game at J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson on Feb. 18, 2011.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News



Lincoln sophomore Kelsey Criner (23) passes the ball to sophomore BreAnna Hayden (4) around Frisco Liberty's junior Krystal Curry (23) during a playoff game at J.J. Pearce High School.




Lincoln sophomore DreAnna Hayden (4) pulls in a rebound in front of Frisco Liberty junior Krystal Curry (23) and junior Tori Flemming (24) during a playoff game in Richardson.

North Dallas vs. South Oak Cliff boys basketball

North Dallas' Jalon Brown (00) tries to shoot around South Oak Cliff's Kenneth Hall (25) during a high school basketball game at P.C. Cobb Athletic Complex in Dallas on Feb. 12, 2011.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


See a larger version of this slideshow.

North Dallas battles South Oak Cliff during a high school basketball game at P.C. Cobb Athletic Complex in Dallas on Feb. 12, 2011.

Named in this slideshow are: &nbsp Sean Miles, Roy Shelton, Geremy Aldridge, Billy Hopson, Jalon Brown, Kenneth Hall, Jemarcus Armstrong, Jamee Foote, Christopher Hyder, James Presley and Darion Hancock.

LHHS vs. BHS boys basketball

Lake Highland's Trey Bingham (35) goes to the net as Berkner's Kendal Harris (5) looks to block the ball during a district rivalry basketball game at Lake Highland High School in Dallas on Jan. 7, 2011.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


See a larger version of this slideshow.

Lake Highland and Berkner battle during a district rivalry basketball game at Lake Highland High School in Dallas on Jan. 7, 2011.

Named in this slideshow are: &nbsp Taylor Stell, Soma Edo, Jordan Mickey, Trey Bingham, Xavier Thomas, Kendal Harris, Jalen Strickland, James Preston, Kym Malone and Sam Welty.

Kayak: Lake Ray Hubbard

iPhotos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

The water level is so low that sections of old bridges are exposed and dry during a kayak paddle on Lake Ray Hubbard in Rowlett on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012.


See a larger version of this slideshow.

Lake Ray Hubbard and its tributaries make for entertaining kayak paddles in Dallas, Garland, Rowlett and Rockwall.

*All images made with an iPhone.

Kayak: Trinity River Elm Fork

iPhotos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Morning light is a good companion during a paddle on the Trinity River between Sam Houston Trail Park and McInnish Park in Irving on Sunday, July 29, 2012.


See a larger version of this slideshow.

The Elm Fork of the Trinity River runs from Lake Lewisville to Downtown Dallas, where it merges with the main Trinity River. It is home to an array of wildlife and a ribbon of calm solitude for kayak paddles through the heart of the Metroplex.

*All images made with an iPhone.

OPFOR Reunion

Photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Jim Worthington, Charlie Schoenberger, Geoff Cottrell and Mark M. Hancock pose for a portrait at the Painted Rocks in Ft. Irwin, Calif. during the A Co. 6/31st Infantry reunion on Sept. 7, 2012.



After more than 25 years since their National Training Center service, former OPFOR soldiers from A Co. 6/31st Infantry reunite on Sept. 6 to 9, 2012. The group's journeys include Freemont Street in Las Vegas, Nevada; the National Training Center and the NASA/JPL Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in Fort Irwin, California; a helicopter ride through the Grand Canyon in Arizona and back to Las Vegas.

Chichen Itza

Visitors tour Temple of Kukulkan, also called El Castillo ("the castle"), at Chichen Itza in Tinum, Yucatán, Mexico on Jan. 2, 1996.
© Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Chichen Itza was a major Mayan city. Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 marks the end of the 13th b'ak'tun time period of the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar. This particular date had significance to the Mayan people.

Gabbie's senior portraits

Gabbie Pitt poses for a senior portrait in the former West End Marketplace in Dallas on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012.

Photos © Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com


Gabbie Pitt poses for senior portraits around Dallas on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012.

Grand Canyon at sunset

The Grand Canyon colors burn with the setting sun during the A Co. 6/31st Infantry reunion helicopter flight in Arizona on Sept. 8, 2012.


© Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

This image is dedicated to our Band of Brothers. To those who lead point, those who covered our flanks and those who are bringing up the six.

Las Vegas

Photos © Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

Pigeons fly past the huge bronze lion in front of MGM Grand Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas on March 29, 2012.


See a larger version of this slideshow.

The Las Vegas Strip beacons visitors and conventioneers in Las Vegas during the last week of March 2012.

Farewell Sally Ride

Former astronaut Sally Ride is introduced as a Maverick Series guest speaker in Texas Hall at the University of Texas at Arlington on Feb. 15, 2010.


Photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Former astronaut Sally Ride speaks as part of the Maverick Series in Texas Hall at the University of Texas at Arlington on Feb. 15, 2010.

In 1983, Sally Ride became the first U.S. woman in space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. She died today after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

May 26, 1951 – July 23, 2012

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

American Indian artifacts are displayed at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010.
Photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com


Artifacts are displayed in the permanent DinoLabs, Cattle Raisers Museum exhibits as well as the special Native American history display at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History in Fort Worth on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010.
YouTube version of this slideshow with music composed in GarageBand by Mark M. Hancock. Please set your viewer quality to 1080p.