Back Problems?

[bpuppy]

I haven't shot a wedding since the fall, but I'm doing some event shooting in order to 'ramp up' for April ... I was shooting hockey yesterday with a 70-200 f/2.8L yesterday and after only 10 minutes or so, my lower back was aching.

Do any of you have similar issues in shooting a day, and how do you combat it? Are there any exercises that you do?

Please share, as my own discomfort could one day affect my performance.

[CyberPet]

My feet seem to take the worst hit if it's a long day... my back, not so much, but I try to think how I use my back. Funny though that always after a shoot, I seem to find new muscles the day after I had no clue I had before, like odd muscles in the legs, etc. that starts to ache the day after. Guess I need to go to the gym too. :D

[kampphoto]

Usually my knees are pretty much dead at the end of the day... being 6' 3" i have to bend a lot to be level with couples for the photos.

[tim]

I used to get a sore back, not specifically from shooting though. The solution for me was to alter my gym program to do more "core" excercises (tummy/back), so there's enough strength to hold things in place. I also do more upper body work so I can hold that 70-200 F2.8 IS up, now I can use it for quite a while, if I need to.

I would suggest going to a gym, tell them your problem, then get a good personal trainer to set you up a program and monitor your progress. You might also going to see some kind of a doctor first to check that everything's ok before you go for my solution.

Alternately, use a monopod!

[tim]

Incidentally, with my gym program, I don't tend to have any part of my body particularly sore. My feet sometimes a little, but I have really good shoes, which were worth what I paid for them. I'm quickly approaching 30 though, so maybe in the future things will start to break down some more ;)

[sapearl]

Oh my aching thighs, back and arms - I envy you young pups on the nice side of 50 :D .

Yes, excercise, a good night's sleep, adequate hydration and proper nutrition is essential to the wedding day decathalon. My first wedding in the late winter or early spring is the roughest if I haven't kept in shape during the cold months. I try to maintain a regular treadmill regimen along with weightlifting. My wife and I purchased a small self-contained weightlifting gym for our basement - Petra, it works wonders and was very quickly cheaper than a club membership ;) .

The treadmill helps keep my weight somewhat in check (that wedding food sure is good) and weight training enhances balance, strengthens my aging bones and builds my upper body strength. My back is not the strongest and does warn me if I'm on the brink of misbehaving. Strengthening my arms and shoulders helps to shift some of the burden up and away from the small of my back.

Petra mentioned discovering "new muscles" she didn't know she had - funny, but I've had that same experience. My knees are OK thanks to the weights, but the inner thigh muscles are a bit stiff on the day after a shoot.

Do any of you have similar issues in shooting a day, and how do you combat it? Are there any exercises that you do?

Please share, as my own discomfort could one day affect my performance.

[sapearl]

I forgot to mention - spend a little extra money on quality shoes with good arch support and some nice cushioning. A good choice is worth its weight in gold during an 8-10 hour shoot. I use these with some nice soft cushy sucks; avoids the blisters and helps with the "Bridal Procession Sprint."

[VanceW]

I think last saturday showed me how bad out of shape my thighs are. :/

Didn't realize how often I had been squating down, until the end of the night when I tried to get up into my truck and the legs didn't want to co-operate as easily as usual. :)

My biggest problem is my knee's and damage incurred due to youthful enthusiasm(sp)
which is why y'all see me sitting in that chair in my post with my first wedding images.

[PIXI_666]

i photographed a wedding on the ocean on a ship just saturday, they asked me to do one particular shot where i was harnessed up and hoisted to the top of the front of the ship so i could get a shot of the bride and groom with the sails and everything in the back. i was delighted to do this but in the process hurt my hips and legs from the pressure the harness put on me plus the climbing was definately hard haha...but i for some reason didnt worry about it until i ws in my car and driving home.
Personally i didnt let it get in the way of my work, but i KNOW about back problems they seem to be the worst pain out there for aching etc. id suggest seeing a physio and getting it sorted before going back out there too quickly....if you arent healthy then it will show in your photos and you have to look aftefr number one always!!!

[VanceW]

Hope you share that picture with us Pixi. :D

[sugarzebra]

As others have mentioned, be proactive and start a daily stretching program for your back and concentrate on the core muscle groups. Generally speaking, initially concentrate on increasing your flexibility as opposed to your strength. You should also see a chiropractor, as nobody knows back problems better than they do. Good luck with your back.....if thats you in your avatar, you are too young to be having back problems from lifting camera equipment!

[PIXI_666]

lol Vance i just posted a thread about new wedding photos on my website - look in stephen & kelly and see if u can pick which one it is lol

sugar i am 23 and already i am seeing my health go stupid in all drections and then i think "Im waaaay too young" but from what i remember as a child, i ran a lot, i fell a lot, i cracked my tail bone etc. so it could possibly be from a previous injury he is talking about?? Either way good advice, and i think i might take it too!!!

Being a photographer you DO hav to be fit, and i am seeing that lately lol so off to the gym she goes..........haha

Del

[VanceW]

:(
Currently at work, and the filters won't allow me to view photo storage sites.

But I'll check as soon as I can from the house! :)