Detroit: The "Dennis Hanser" Phenomenon

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dennis Hanser was a member of the Detroit club in the 70s and got bored
after winning first place a couple of years and dropped out.  Now, he must
have heard that a Greek from Cleveland was stealing the awards from the
Detroians and decided to come back.  Last year he gave me a tough
competition but I still won.  This year he is determined to finish first
and, by the looks of things, nothing can stop him.

In the opening night he got the only 1st, and one 2nd and 3d places.  Last
night he repeated this performance, again with the only 1st, a 2nd and a 3d
place.  Right now, with only two months into the competition (and 5 to go)
he is already so far ahead that only some unforeseen accident could stop
him... Here is why...

His 2nd and 3d places were fantastic INTERIORS of government buildings. I
emphasize interiors, because IMO almost everybody can take a pleasing
picture of the exterior of a building (hey, I can even do that! :-)) but
very few can photograph interiors with a charm, style and mood, as he did.

His first place was an amazing and creative tabletop.  He had a copy of the
"Declaration of Independence" with old style decor (old pen, a candle) and
superb mood-invoking lighting.  I laughed when I heard the title: "Mr.
Hancock, sign here please!"  (Trivia for Non-Americans: John Hancock's name
has become a synonym for signature "put your John Hancock here" = "sign
here", because, as I understand it, he had the longest/biggest? signature
in the Declaration of Independence) 

The program before the competition was the presentation of the PSA Detroit
Salon.  While I had a rather disappointing performance with only one
acceptance (out of 4 entries) with minimum acceptance score, Dennis Hanser
had 4 acceptance, including 3 metals!!!  That tops the Milligans,
Bloombergers and other big names in stereo today.  I asked Dennis if he has
entered these slides in previous Detroit competitions (if he has, then he
cannot enter them again).  He said "no" but he was not planning to enter
them because the entire club saw them.  The man has so many good pictures
that he can let a few PSA metals slide by... Amazing!

After evaluating the situation (does not require much intelligence!), I
told Dennis that I am not trying for first place any more.  I'd rather
compete with Paul Talbot for the best photo-3d performance! :-) (Paul
Talbot has been submitting some wonderful pictures, took 3d and HM last
night and he is currently, I believe, in second place).  Dennis got mad at
me!  He WANTS me to do my best!  I think he is a person driven to excel by
competition.  Once the other competitors quit he feels less motivated to do
well.

Next month's assignment: "Wood".  While I am still looking for good-looking
wood to photograph, Dennis told me that he is already done with his
pictures and he is ready to go.  I look forward to seeing more of his
impressive work!

George Themelis


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