Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

You'r correct Thomas, I downloaded then opened in Photoshop to get a proper view and now see the bounce card. Your picture in photoshop is even more stellar. Happy to have such a professional contributing his expertise here on the UHH.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Glad you're pleased with this image and Heather's efforts...
And it is awesome to have such an engaged audience for my efforts here Jim-Pops...
Your thoughtful critique is to be cherished... I always grow professionally from the likes of same...

btw there are far better photographers than I here on UHH...
However I'm hoping to maybe approach their level of accomplishment eventually...
It is excellent feedback like yours that likely can expedite this journey...

Again many thanks!

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Great image, Thomas! Tell me about your book.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Ben thank you for your very kind words...
They certainly are deeply appreciated...
And please accept my sincere compliments on all your wonderful posts on UHH...
You go far above and beyond to assist others in their photo-endeavors...
Which makes UHH a truly excellent portal for others to advance their craft...

As for "Book"?
I believe Brent is being overly generous by implying that I may be somewhat an authority on fashion...
Likely referring to the fact that I'm a published bridal makeup artist... and hold a cosmetology license in makeup from the state of Maryland.

Bridal makeup is a primary revenue stream for me...
And while I have shot weddings they are far too traumatic i.e. chaotic for me to survive in that highly competitive market...

Nope, the lion's share my wisdom in fashion has come from being on set for a myriad of studio sessions as key makeup artist and a team member in dozens and dozens of fashion shows... I've learned workflow from those at the zenith of the craft and I'm humbled in the stellar brilliance of their lens work...

Best Advice? Assist others working commercially in the craft... Personally I have found no other methodology better for knowledge base transfer... books and videos can sometimes help but fall woefully short of the intensity latent in real-time experience....

Hope this helps Ben... or is at least food for thought...

bertloomis Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

She seems to have a lot of hair on her face-from the sides of her cheeks down to her chin. Is this real or am I just seeing something?

Bluefish Loc: Berks County, PA

Absolutely stunning. Thank you.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thank you Bluefish for your awesome comment...
Greatly appreciated!
Glad you enjoy this image...

maggiemae Loc: North Carolina

I always enjoy your work Thomas. I learn from it every time. I love how her blue eyes scream out from the picture even from behind the net. Great job as always 👍.

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

Wow! If I didn't know how much work this took for your team, I'd say it was "magic". Thanks, thanks, thanks for the recipe and discussion. So helpful.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

It certainly is, brother.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thank you for your kind words on Heather's image maggiemae...
They are truly appreciated...
Glad you enjoyed this narrative, it was a fun shoot...

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thanks for your glowing review dat2ra...
Yes beauty genre can be a challenge and often requires considerable effort...
However attention to detail is what makes the "magic" happen...
Wonderful you found this post useful... mission accomplished...

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

Thomas, I don't know how you do it but when I download the image with the veil the entire face comes alive and becomes 3D for me. It looks so real I had to try to touch it several times to make sure it was only two demential. Excellent! Do you have any photos where you feel that you have achieved "excellence"?? If you have some I would really like to see those photos. Something where you can say there is NOTHING you would change at all.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Wow Brent you are way too kind... thank you so much for your very kind words on Heather's image...
And yes it's a fav of mine...

Brent it is oft said "Hindsight is 20-20" which rings so true...
I've never been elated over my past photographic efforts...
In fact I blush about how foolish I was thinking it was "cool" to add "special effects" in post...

Bottom Line? The words of my initial mentor in post production ring loud and painfully clear...
"if the hand of the retoucher is visible in the work then you have failed..."

To this end my journey is "WIP" work in progress... never to reach perfection...

Best analogy is the mathematical calculus concept of "asymptotic..."
i.e. a line of an equation, toward which a function f(x) approaches infinitesimally closely, but never reaches the line, as f(x) increases without bound into the infinite.

Thank you Isaac Newton for solving one of the enigmas of the universe...
On the brilliance of his work many of the mysteries of our world have been answered...

Brent hope this helps... again my very sincere thanks!

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

I hear ya Thomas........"To this end my journey is "WIP" work in progress... never to reach perfection..."
On several occasions UHH members have given me a name of "master" of surfing photography, but my mentality is the same as yours: That I am striving to be a master but not there yet........always progressing and learning though. At least that's how I see your outlook on your photography progression.