The moment of Truth - a health update and photography tip at the end

Beautiful model Laura Garrido

Another personal blog where you can learn “hidden secrets” about me, my life and my photography.  At the end of this blog I will give ONE photography tip to those photographers on how I assure proper skin tone exposures on things like fashion shows without using a light meter.

I have written two previous blogs about my latest health drama which started over 6 weeks ago.

One Breath Away:  https://www.thomasschmukiphotography.com/blog/2018/5/29/one-breath-away

I hope to see Clearly again: https://www.thomasschmukiphotography.com/blog/2018/7/3/i-hope-to-see-clearly-again

For those few who actually read my blog, thank you.  To me it means you care and are interested in my life and my work. For the most part I believe the blog is not really read by anyone, not even my wife lol.  For those select few who do…. THANK YOU.

Here is my health update.

After multiple visits to the following doctors: optometrist, ophthalmologist, neurologist, hematologist, cardiologist.  My neurologist basically said I need everything extensively checked from the “heart up”.  Guess my privates don’t matter …

I have had a Brain Stem Scan, throat scan, EKG, 24 hour heart monitor, echo cardiogram, multiple blood tests, bla, bla, bla.  Oh my. 

My personal prognosis:

My urologist determined my testosterone levels (T Levels) were far too low …. about 175 and at my age should be approximately 700-1000.  We discussed alternatives to fix my problem.  I was convinced even though I had initiated a conversation about the risks that I should go on a regimented supervised testosterone shot treatment plan.  Every other Friday, I have been shot in the arm with that stuff.  After my first blood test, they found my T Levels were great, in the mid 700’s but my blood showed signs of “thickening” and should initiate a plan of purging some of my old blood with new blood.  That is when I went and gave blood. 

It was that day…. Read my blog on  “One Breath Away”, that I believed I had a small minor stroke.  Frankly I thought I was going to die lying on the floor.  I think it may be called a TIA.  I exhibited at least 4 of the major signs of a TIA.

I am still feeling weak, but a little stronger every day.  I still see double (no improvement) without my prism glasses.  I am convinced after talking with people who have gone through this that I will get better and my vision will improve.  Can take 2-6 months.

My fear to be honest.  I read 1/3 of all patients who had a TIA have a stroke within 12 months.  Guess its time to ….. get in shape, fix my cholesterol issues, and most importantly enjoy my life and get that last great photo out there.  I will NEVER stop!

Photography Tip - Proper skin tone exposure

Photographers here is your tip: I look carefully at my histogram.  I zoom in on the skin tones and make sure the histogram is reading just past the middle and even as much as ¾.  Lets face it, if the skin is not exposed properly, what is the use?????

Thomas Schmuki

954-439-1999

Does your photographer?

• Study new photography techniques at least 5 hours a week?
• Teach photography classes?
• Scout out a venue before the event to determine best time of day to shoot, locations and lighting?
• Invest in the finest photography equipment available and then spend the required time to optimize that gear to the best results?
• Shoot over 20,000 pictures a year?
• Come to location shoots with professional strobes and light modifiers?
• Have photographic timing and composition skills? 
• Give you an incredible photographic session experience: fun, challenging, exciting?
• Even ask you what your best side is?
• In the post processing editing process, does your photographer:
• Make sure white balance and colors are on point?
• Do face sculpting including double chin lessening?
• Paint face with highlights, mid-tones and shadows to create the best you possible?
• Selective adjust width of one or more eye to balance them out?
• Selectively sharpen specific items that are important to you like: jewelry, shoes, lipstick, hair, clothing?
• Spend time on each edited photo to make it “magazine worthy?”
• Crop the photo to maximize composition?
• Do portrait retouching including:Full Makeup (lipstick in a full range of colors and textures, false eyelashes, eyeshadow, blusher, mascara, eyeliner, rouge)? Skin smoothing and blemishing removal? Eye clarity, whitening and sharpening? Teeth whitening and sharpening?
• Create beautiful artistic effects that can make your picture look interesting, dramatic, different, like a painting?
• Does your photographer consider all shades of black and white when considering black and white?
• Optimize exported JPEG for intended purpose including social networking sites and printing/enlargements?
• Backup your photos to 3 separate sources including cloud storage and off-site backups?

• Get up at 4:30 am because he/she is so excited to do another sunrise photo shoot at the beach?

  If you have found a photographer that does these things, you have found a true GEM.