No longer daily

Although I've had a great week with many assignments, I made a difficult decision. Starting today, this blog won't be a daily endeavor. It's been fun and motivating to deliver new images every day for the last few years, but I must now show current images as they becomes available.

I have an extremely deep archive (thousands) of images I could post. However, they don't reflect the work I'm doing now or want to do in the future. PJs are only as good as their last shot. Old images simply water-down everything else I'm currently doing.

Going forward, I'll post new images as I make them (self-assigned) or as publication embargoes end. I've been in Dallas more than a month, so newspaper images are rolling off embargo each week while magazine work is on hold for months.

Instead of posting stock or dragging out a story for a week to make a daily quota, I'll post the complete stories and won't post again until something new becomes available. I'll break up a few sets to spread them out some, but the volume of work I'm producing isn't the same as when I was a daily staffer.

Between the shooting time and fuel costs, I can't afford to personally finance run-and-gun feature hunts. I am, however, building up the DFW events blog for future assignments as well as updating sections of this blog.

I have too many brands in the fire to mention, and I hope to return to creating the same volume of images daily. However, it won't happen in the next two months.

Meanwhile, I plan to write more (shooting tips, how-to pieces, interviews and other PJ-related posts as well as stories to accompany my images). Those entries are likely be my only post of the day (rather than a photo AND a written piece).

Some folks have this blog on RSS feeds. It's a good way to keep up with this blog. Folks on RSS will probably see more posts because I plan to back-fill some images into the archive. For the folks who visit each few days, there will always be something new.

I'm not going away. I haven't hung up the cameras. I've recently invested thousands into better equipment. I simply refuse dilute my work to make a daily quota.

Enough for now,

Heath Ledger

photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Heath Ledger, who stars in the rock-based movie "A Knight's Tale," explains how the director sought input from various sources to create the production at The Crescent Hotel in Dallas on April 24, 2001.



Heath Ledger greets at a friend at The Crescent Hotel in Dallas.



In one minute "The Dark Knight" will begin showing in theaters across America. The movie stars the late Heath Ledger as a disturbingly dark incarnation of The Joker. Even before it opens, critics are proclaiming the movie as Ledger's finest work.

I haven't seen the movie yet, but Fayrouz and I plan to see it. Fay wants to see it because Ledger was a fellow Aussie. I'm anxious to see the movie because all the reviews paint the character as the polar opposite of the person I met.

I was assigned to shoot Ledger at an ultra-exclusive hotel in Dallas. He was talking with the reporter over breakfast when I arrived.

He was promoting "A Knight's Tale." It was released after "The Patriot," but before "Brokeback Mountain."

I got some standard over-the-shoulder shots during the interview (top), and then was allowed a few minutes with Ledger to make some additional images in the courtyard (bottom).

The courtyard had a nice fountain. I was about to ask him to sit on the side of the fountain when I noticed a honeybee was already there. Since we have Africanized bees ("killer bees") in Texas, I wasn't keen on letting any bee sting a movie star. So, I scooped the little bugger into the fountain.

It was a bad decision on my part.

Ledger and I spent the next 10 minutes trying to save it. I kept thinking it would sting him, and I'd be responsible. Meanwhile, my shooting time meter continued to count down. Groovy.

Nonetheless, once the bee was safe and sound, we got back to the shoot. Ledger was accommodating, and I got some decent shots.

I'm telling this story because it shows what a nice guy he was. If the critics are right about his upcoming performance, it's a tribute to his ability to play roles contradictory to his nature.

Go see "The Dark Knight," and get wrapped up in the character playing on the screen. Then remember this is the actor who wasn't willing to hurt a honeybee. Factor this tidbit into the equation when evaluating the effectiveness of the character and actor.

Enough for now,

Colleyville fire safety program

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Tyler Johnson, 2, of Keller inspects his own reflection on quint fire truck's bell during a children's fire safety program at Borders Books in Colleyville on Saturday, June 14, 2008.


Colleyville firefighter Dustin Wynn (center) reads a fire safety book during a children's program at Borders Books.


Spencer Hickman, 2, of Hurst gets excited as Colleyville firefighters teach a fire safety program at Borders Books.




Guests collect promotional items before Colleyville Fire Department safety program.


Lt. Eddie Moran of the Colleyville Fire Department helps children enter a quint fire truck during a fire safety program in Colleyville.


Colleyville firefighter Dustin Wynn (right) explains parts of an ambulance to children during a safety program.


Lt. Roy Fergason of the Colleyville Fire Department (right) talks with Erik Hogg, 3, of Hurst (left) during a fire safety program.

The Pilots

Steve Rask (left) and Will Yonley (right) of The Pilots, a Houston-based Christian band, perform in concert during the annual 9/11 Music Festival at Ford Pavilion on Saturday, September 10, 2005. The day-long festival featured 45 Christian bands.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Playing cool

Sarah Embry (No. 12) of the Texas Aces from Pearland mists herself with a fan to keep cool during the American Fastpitch Association national softball tournament at Ford Park in Beaumont on Saturday, July 30, 2005.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

A mother's memories

Jan Manshack holds Brat, her 4-year-old cat, while she talks about her son Shane Goldman at her house in Orange on Friday, August 19, 2005. Shane Goldman, a Marine, died in the Iraq War on April 5, 2004.

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise



Jan Manshack shows photos of her son Shane Goldman at her house in Orange. His body was returned home on his 20th birthday.

9 Station Drive

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Eric Currie with the band 9 Station Drive of Beaumont plays guitar during the Nederland Heritage Festival in Nederland on Saturday, March 17, 2007.

Hardin County hanging tree

While the old Hardin County Courthouse in Kountze was razed in a fire of suspicious origin on Aug. 8, 1886, the "hanging tree" behind the location remains on Tuesday, April 22, 2008. Now, only tire swing hangs from the old tree's branches.

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

RHS graduation 2008

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Arcery Portillo (center) shares a hug with teacher Shannon Range (right) before the Richardson High School graduation ceremony at the Special Events Center in Garland on Saturday, June 7, 2008.


Dorissa Martinez (left) holds roses as she looks for her niece Shelby Martinez during the Richardson High School graduation ceremony.


RHS valedictorian Lisa Rochelle Greenblatt waits with other Richardson High School graduates for the commencement ceremony to begin.



Carlos Augusto Martinez, Jr. celebrates with other graduates during the Richardson High School graduation ceremony.


RHS graduate Sulema Salmeron (right) gives a hug to her best friend Lilian Obando (left) after the Richardson High School graduation ceremony at the Special Events Center in Garland on Saturday, June 7, 2008.

Autos in the Park show

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Chrome shines on an antique Cadillac during the 3rd Annual Autos in the Park car show at the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas on Sunday, June 8, 2008. Exhibit fees were donated to the Cooper Institute and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.


Ken Godden of Tyler (left) has a laugh with Bob Bishop of Van Alstyne (right) next to Godden's 1926 Rolls Royce Phantom 1 Estate Car during the car show.


Jeff Ruff dusts his 2005 Ford Mustang during the car show.


Visitors examine fine examples of European engineering during the Autos in the Park car show at the Cooper Aerobics Center.


Sun reflects on the hood ornament of Bill Kimball's 1941 Cadillac Convertible.


Evelyn Godden (left to right), Bob Bishop and Ken Godden have an original tailgate party under the trees next to Godden's 1926 Rolls Royce Phantom 1 Estate Car.


Bill Norris' 1934 Ford rests quietly under a tree during the car show.


Kathryn Cantwell of Flower Mound (right) talks about a new Mercedes SLK 300 with Jed Siddle, parts manager of Park Place Motorcars of Dallas, (left) during the car show.


Joe Fernandez of Garland (right) takes a break with Mars, his 3-year-old Doberman pincher, (left) during the 3rd Annual Autos in the Park car show at the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas.

Impact Day

photos © Mark M. Hancock and Al Dia

Deloitte volunteer Bob Connolly (center) moves a barricade as Tracy Beach (left) surveys the team's accomplishments during Impact Day at Mi Escuelita Dallas preschool in Dallas on Friday, June 6, 2008.


Deloitte volunteers Purvi Amin, (from left to right) Anja Richter and Scott McCray shovel saw flakes into the wheel barrel of Umar Siddiaqui during Impact Day at the preschool. The project was part of an annual city-wide volunteer event.


Danny Hejl with Dramatic Playgrounds of Mesquite fastens screws to a play set during Impact Day at Mi Escuelita Dallas preschool.


Tracy Beach with Deloitte dumps a load of saw flakes into a play area at the preschool.



Deloitte volunteer Bob Connolly wipes away sweat as he talks with Guy Weissman (right) after they helped construct a new play set at Mi Escuelita Dallas preschool.


Caryn Blackwell with Deloitte (left) spreads saw flakes on a playground as team members construct an awning during Impact Day.


Volunteers from Deloitte take a break after completing the construction of a new play set during Impact Day at Mi Escuelita Dallas preschool in Dallas.

Please read, "Crean espacios para jugar en Mi Escuelita" by Thalia I. Longoria

Translated: "They create spaces to play in Mi Escuelita"

Stone Hearst Apartments

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

The Stone Hearst Apartments feature a child-friendly play area in an enclosed area of the complex in Beaumont on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2006. It is currently 100 percent leased and 98 percent occupied.


The Stone Hearst Apartments feature ample head-in parking and enclosed balconies in Beaumont. The $8 million complex provides affordable housing to working families and was constructed with federal tax credits supplied by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

Magnolia Gardens revitalization

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

The 50-year-old Magnolia Gardens complex is set for a $20 million revitalization grant in Beaumont on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2006. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will demolish existing structures and replace them with 75 public housing and 75 market-rate units.


Magnolia Gardens residents Christine Walton (left) and Eva Westbrooks (right) celebrate after $20 million revitalization grant announcement. The new units should create mixed-income communities and include town houses and garden homes.



The 50-year-old Magnolia Gardens complex is set for a $20 million revitalization grant. HUD will demolish existing structures and replace them with mixed-income communitie units.

Since these are older images, the project went ahead as planned and construction was still ongoing when I left Beaumont.

Veggie kabob

© Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

A veggie kabob cooks on the grill during a family Fourth of July party in Plano on Friday, July 4, 2008.

Star-spangled shaved ice

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Robert Hill holds his daughter Julia Hill, 2, and a well-earned shaved ice after the 1st Annual Calder Place Star Spangled 4th of July Parade on Lucas in Beaumont on Monday, July 4, 2005. Everyone received participation awards and special prizes were awarded by category for decorations.

video by Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com
Please see the video slideshow.

Happy Independence Day

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Kim Burbank (left) prepares her daughter Annalise, 19 months, before the 1st Annual Calder Place Star Spangled 4th of July Parade along North Street to Lucas in Beaumont on Monday, July 4, 2005. Everyone received participation awards and special prizes were awarded by category for decorations.


video by Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com
Please see the video slideshow.

Turducken?

A male Muscovy duck, Cairina moschata, watches a sunset near a private lake in Plano on Monday, June 30, 2008.

© Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com


I don't eat birds, but this one is supposedly leaner and more flavorful than other ducks.

Angry gator

© Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Big Al, the largest captive alligator in Texas, defends his territory at Gator Country in Fannett, Texas on Saturday, March 22, 2008.

The Swan Story

Once upon a time there was a beautiful swan.


photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

She had a lovely home on a private lake in a big city.


But her partner had recently vanished.



She was sad.


Her neighbors cared for her, but kept their distance.


She wasn't like them.


Every day, she'd look for her partner.



She looked through the high bushes.


And she looked on the beach.


But all she found were traces of the love she lost.



Each night as the sun set, her tears filled the lake.