Thanx alot guys....
I think the problem lies with the text also...will try angling it, embossing it and blend moding it into the image a little more to etch it in there without it distracting too much.
I'm also considering pulling out one of the images and replacing it with another from the set with his eyes open.
what do you think about those ideas?
ps JR, I'm making this one with the intent of having it printed on foil, has anybody any experiance with that type of printing process? it has a metallic base that looks like chrome, that I hope will really pop the metal and copper tones in this series of images.....

tell me what you guys think about this image?

I do my best work when I can sit down and meditate.

I get out infront of my fish pond, or my aquarium, or just put on some music, and clear my mind.
I use my little distractions as a focal point to keep my mind off everyday things, and when they're gone, I close my eyes and tune everthing out.

Eventually the mind wants to create and I'll get ideas.
I'll build on the idea to create an image in my mind, and then I'll tear it appart and break it down to the technical details, the light, the props, the models, what equipment to use to achieve the image.

I may file it away for future reference, or, start setting things up and do it.

As you pointed out Matt, manys ways to create great images.
sometimes you find the light, and look for a subject, other times you find a subject and look for the light.

often you go with what ever leads you.

But when you set up a shot, that started in your mind, and are looking at an image you created from nowhere but your imagination, you really feel accomplished.

Pete, Try reading up on cosmetology, and makeup for film and video.
Take what you learn there and apply it to what you can learn from sites like layers, and retouchpro, and BAM! you can apply makeup with photoshop!
Takes more time, costs less money!
seriously, give it a try!

Easy enough.
You hop a flight, over to Winterpeg Manitoba, Canada.
I'll set up a multi person Aim/Ichat conference call with a handful of Pentaxians from this forum, which We'll record as a podcast.
People can ask questions, and we'll pick a bunch of those and also from the forum, to set up some demonstrations.
I'll videotape them, combine them with the podcast and the transcripts to create a Book and DVD, podcast, combo on better photography.
You me and Pentax can market the product and split the profits.

wait, that's not easy at all..
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But whoever said having fun had to be easy?

I'm a Mac guy, so while this can't help you directly In can point you in the right direction:
I used Iphoto to ORGANISE my images (have moved up to Aperture).
Think of Iphoto as being for images what Itunes is for music. You can sort, label, organise, And FIND your images with speed andd ease.
That is the first software you should look for...most of these have some touch up capabilities...

The next thing is this: I have both photoshop elements and cs2....guess which one gets used most often? that's right, the one that is faster, easier, and less taxing on the computer (you get hi def video, hi res photos, photoshop elements, aperture, Imovie and idvd, at the same time, and i garentee you you'l finish a minor adjustment with ps elements before cs2 finishes opening), cs2 only gets used for jobs elemnts can't do (not often).

So I'd suggest an organisation program first, there are windoze users here that can help you out, then an editing program like elements (for the reasons already posted by others). You'll eventually want photoshop, if you like manipulating, but get good with elements to start.)

probably none.
just googled merkin51 and saw he has an alias under adium (chat client) as tim hall (there's way more than the one tim hall), and posts to about 500 forums under merkin51......the likelyhood of him being the fine English photographer is pretty slim.

I heard he looks a fair bit like Tim Hall.

30 seconds is good info. thank you.
When I shoot my actual demo for commercial use the goal is to get 60 seconds.
these family montages are three minutes (approx)
I'll be running the multi media display along with the stills through an apple tv to a 42 inch high def tv display.
So in effect, it, along with my stlls, will be on the wall, side by side with the framed prints.

I felt this deserves a new thread.
I'm asking for some feedback on this:

http://web.mac.com/lightexpressions/iWeb/Demo/Our%20Demo%20Movie.html

This is just our kids in the park, but shows where we're going for our customers work...DVD, Books, and framed wall prints (most on canvas or metalic prints 20 inches and larger), all in one fun production.