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 / © DFWmark.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 / © 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,

Please Subscribe to NewsEagles on YouTube

Please follow this link, sign in to YouTube (or create an account) and hit SUBSCRIBE at www.youtube.com/newseagles

I hate to beg for subscribers, but YouTube forced me. My YouTube channel must get 1,000 subscribers because my channel was placed into video Creator limbo. I have a channel. I can post videos, but I can't change some core properties of the channel.

I’m also required to create an extreme amount of high-quality, unique content each year to keep the status. Since I have a surprise project happening shortly, it won’t be as high of a hurdle as it has been in the past.

Thanks and stay tuned!

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,

Exterior Holiday Decorations 2016

video and music by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

Inflatable decorations "wake up" at our house in Frisco on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016. Rudolf's snow globe was repaired this year and has fresh styro-snow. New this year are a six-foot-tall Yoda and animated snowflake lights. Video and music composition by Mark M. Hancock. Shot with a GoPro. Music composed in GarageBand.

Thanksgiving Inflatable

video and music by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.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 / © DFWmark.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 / © DFWmark.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

Polar Bears 100th Anniversary

Photos Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

In honor of the U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment's 100th anniversary, 50 Royal Darwin figurines are displayed in an inspection formation in Frisco on Saturday, July 23, 2016. The unit will mark it's 100th year on Aug. 13, 2016.

Learn more about the 31st Infantry Regiment.
Visit the 31st Infantry Regiment Association's page.



While I made the top image above, our jackass neighbor tried to photobomb my shoot.

Memorial Weekend 2005 video

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