The PGA show and my love for the game of golf

At the show in my IBKul quarter zip

PGA show 2022

The last few days I have experienced my first PGA golf show in Orlando Florida.  I came with Alice to support her in her IBKul world. 

Last year the event was cancelled due to covid.  I have been told this year dwarfs the previous years in size and attendance. So just what is this show all about?   People from all over the world attend to view, touch and feel all products about the golfing world.  Vendors spend lots of money on booths and presentation.  Attendees are typically the buyers for their organizations and clubs. This show is not for personal consumers of golfing products. 

For more detailed information about the PGA show:

PGA Golf Show 2022

Golf fashion show

Here are some photos of a fashion show that I shot during the show

Highlights of the event

• Photographing the Golf fashion show

• Dinner last night at Maggiano’s Little Italy

• The entire IBKul team, so great to work with and be around

• Presentation by Greg Norman

• Cold, rainy and dreary weather in Orlando

My emotions running amuck

So what kind of feelings run through my soul while viewing all the incredible products and meeting some of the greats in this wonderful game?

Most readers of my blog may never know I grew up in Denver Colorado.  I started playing golf when I was about 12-14 years old.  My father introduced me to the game.  I was soon hooked line and sinker.

My years as a golf caddy

I became a golf caddy at the age of 14 at Lakewood Country Club. We had a caddy master and a caddy shack.  We were rated by our caddy master C, B, and A caddies.  Beginners were all rated C.  Have you seen those big bags carried on the tour by the caddies?  Occasionally I would do a double and carry 2 big bags up and down the rolling hills of that beautiful course. Eventually I was rated an A caddy capable of working for a pro.  We had caddy days on the course.  We could play for free on Tuesday's.  The caddy master would watch us like a hawk and if we didn't replace a divot we were out. My "loops" were rich old men driving Bentleys. A “looper” is another name for a caddy. A “loop” was a round of golf. Once my player asked me to hand him the golf bag and proceeded to walk up to the lake and threw the whole bag with clubs in it.  He then walked off the course in a tirade. If you have seen the movie Caddy Shack, you will get the picture. My experiences as a caddy will be with me forever.  I learned so much. 

Here is a real good link on the basics of being a caddy:

The Basics of being a caddy

High School Golf

I played golf on the High School golf team at Arvada West High. I remember I had to pay a quarter to play.  My high school let out at 11:35 am.  Often times I played and walked 36 holes after school.  Played many times in the snow and freezing cold.  I can still feel the sting of the club when it struck the ball when my hands were frozen stiff. I never played in a riding golf cart until after I graduated from college… couldn’t afford it besides I preferred to walk the average of 5 miles a round with a bag on my back up and down the foothills of the Colorado rocky mountains.

Back in the days when I was flexible and could almost play with the big boys

The greatest game on earth

I have loved golf my whole life.  The greatest game on earth.  I had aspirations to become a pro but never had near the ability nor proper training to make it. My lowest handicap was 7 and my average handicap as an active adult golfer was around a 10. 

I have won many club level golf tournaments. Eventually I just threw out a big box of trophies.  Who really cares about my long driving trophies anyway?  No one cared and they were not trophies from professional tournaments. 

To this day I still have dreams at night about being in contention in a major tournament.  When I wake up I sigh in disbelief.  That was just a dream. 

My son Eric, a great golfer

I taught my son Eric how to golf.  We spent most of our time either playing or practicing.  His handicap was about a 2.  For you non golfers that means he seldom shot above a 75. He also had aspirations to become a pro. His senior year in high school Eric became the non Eric.  He broke his arm when he fell out of a golf cart and could not play his senior year.  Soon thereafter he was diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic  and was given less than 10 years to live.  My heart and soul was broken.  He died in his sleep at the age of 28 about 8 years ago.  I have never recovered.  Golf has never been the same to me since. 

For more information on paranoid schizophrenia:

Paranoid schizophrenic

Is there golf in heaven

These are the things I am thinking of as I see all these golfers and products at this show.  Yes, I am jealous and envious. My dream of being a golf professional was just a dream.  I can still see my son Eric hitting his drives long and straight as I watched in pride. Maybe there are golf courses in heaven.  Perhaps my "pull hook" will be solved by the golf Gods and I can enjoy golf again. 

I challenge you to read more of my blogs

You may be entertained and get to know the old golfer, tennis player and photographer just a little bit better. The blogs can be read in reverse chronological order directly from my web site:

Toms Blogs

The struggle between honesty, transparency, and marketing

This may be one of the most difficult blogs to compose, and perhaps even more difficult to read.  Family and friends, please do NOT be offended by my brutal honesty in this BLOG.  Hey, it may be my last blog depending on the results.

A previous peer who I have not heard from for maybe 25+ years, fellow co worker and friend who has been silently following my works, my blog and my photography reached out to me yesterday.  Reggie thank you for reaching out to me after all these years.

Reggie was very complimentary of my photography and my commentary, and even my blogs.  Her comment haunts me … “I see a touch of sadness in your words, but thats understandable ….”

I learned a lot from her commentary.  First of all, I just may have followers, silent ones who read my words, appreciate and admire my photography, and perhaps even enjoy some of it.  Based on the lack of clicks, read throughs, and commentary, I always assume no one is seeing, no one is reading, and this whole thing is just a platform for a personal/public journal that only generations in future may see. Perhaps I see it as personally therapeutic.

My next door neighbor yesterday stopped her car while I was washing my motorcycle and told me how much she enjoyed and appreciated my journalistic commentary and photos of my motorcycle trip to North Carolina.   Again, I had never known she was watching, stalking from afar so to speak. It made me happy.

To get better context to my commentary, you may want to read or review the following blogs:

The Shy man with a Camera

https://tesphoto.squarespace.com/blog/2018/8/16/the-shy-man-behind-the-camera\

My Birthday Wish

https://tesphoto.squarespace.com/blog/2018/9/11/my-birthday-wish

Ten things you probably don’t know about me

https://tesphoto.squarespace.com/blog/2018/9/17/ten-things-you-probably-dont-know-about-me

The moment you find out your child is schizophrenic 

https://tesphoto.squarespace.com/blog/2018/9/21/the-moment-you-find-out-your-child-is-schizophrenic

Five things you probably don’t know about me

https://tesphoto.squarespace.com/blog/2018/10/14/5-things-you-probably-dont-know-about-me

Yes Reggie, you are 100% correct, there is a tone of sadness to my prose.

So back to the title: The struggle between honesty, transparency, and marketing 

I have always known from day one that one of my biggest flaws is my transparency.  I tell the truth, my face and expressions tell the truth, sometimes it is brutal and hurtful.  This transparency made me a great manager and boss in almost any arena.  I would be quick to compliment, be thankful and get in the trenches with my staff.  This transparency also comes at a cost in business and in all areas of life both personal and professional.

Here it is: I struggle with sadness and depression, and have for years.  I can hardly remember what it feels like to wake up each day with a smile on my face.  I blame no one or nothing for my struggle nor my feelings.  It is NOT your fault.  This is the one thing I know!  For me depression is loneliness.  It does not matter if I am physically alone or in a crowd of dozens or hundreds of peers, family or friends.  I work very hard every day, every moment to mask this loneliness and depression.  

My motorcycle ride to North Carolina was done alone.  No family member wanted to go with me.  Hey, they are the smart ones.  The ride outside of Florida was miserable, lonely and COLD!

What makes me happy?  It is very simple.  Feeling truly appreciated.  Feeling I have provided something of real value to someone.  Something that lasts more than the “click” or “like”.  Photography makes me happy.  Not the specific click of the camera, but more about the experience of the shoot and most importantly the value of the product I created. I yearn for my work to be valued in a real way.  I ache to leave a legacy of work that will be cherished by generations.  The reality of falling far short of those expectations is part of my daily struggle.   

This commentary is the opposite of marketing.  It is 100% truth.  Those who read this will probably agree with Reggie at even a higher level.  

I ask if you silently read my blogs, or silently view my photos, please once in a while reach out to me and let me know.  It has more meaning than you will ever know.

Tom

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

Fashion Show Runway Models – Pro’s OWN the stage

After shooting fashion show runways now for years I have noticed a distinct difference between the experienced and first timers strutting their stuff on the runway.  Confidence and excitement exude from the pros.  A pro literally takes over the stage, they own it so to speak.  They take their time and their whole countenance glows.  Each pose has clearly been practiced over and over, and the models give the photographers time to “get their shot”.  The next pose just “flows” from the previous one.  Almost like a choreographed dance. 

I have included a picture of a model that clearly owned the stage.  She was full of confidence, poise and fun.  She loved being the center of attention.

Conversely the “first timers” or nearly first timers are very much the opposite. You get the feeling that they can’t wait to get off the stage, even to the point of literally not striking one single pose.  Perhaps they think that strutting across the stage is enough. 

Runway models, if you want great shots from the photographers then take your time, enjoy the moment, interact with the crowd and the photographers, pause just a little longer at the end of your pose, change your facial expressions along with your different poses.  When you have traversed back to the beginning of the runway, turnaround, pose again, I am waiting for that last great shot!  Pause, smile, enjoy the moment.  You worked very hard to get here.

My hats of to the DAMA organization for mentoring and tutoring these wonderful young models.  Their runway training alone stands out in every show!  What the young models get from DAMA is much more than that including poise, respect and many others. My highest recommendation to attend their schools!

What do I know, I am just the photographer …

Thomas Schmuki Photography

Take a look at this fantastic link on model posing:

https://www.pixpa.com/blog/plus-size-models