Wedding PSTD

Had my first wedding shoot last saturday, and after shooting ~1500 images in 95 degree heat I felt like I ran a 10k the next day (legs were shot...still sore, lol). Anyway, that night, as I lay in bed, I experienced the weirdest sensation where every image that came to mind (mostly wedding stuff) had this weird focus shift effect going on to the point where I almost started to feel nauseated....Not much reason to this post, just wondering if anyone else experienced the same thing or if it's common after starring through the view finder all day.

Oh, and I think I managed some good images, so keep you eye out on the other forum page for my post (hoping to get a lot of good c&c)!

I can definitely say that especially for my first 20 or so weddings, I had the intense feeling, after each wedding (before actually looking at the finished results) that things didn't go as well as they actually did. Part of this manifested via a kind of selective recall that brought to mind every image that wasn't a keeper (for whatever reason) rather than the hundreds of great photos that I actually took. I seriously think that this phenomenon can actually be helpful in that it encourages you to run the race like you're in 10th place even if you're in 1st. Being overly confident about where one is at can be the biggest enemy in terms of both performing well on the day and also improving over time.

I always think about what I could have done better because I actually do want to get better. There's ALWAYS something...

I think the moment I stop doing that is when I stop improving.

James Willett

Thats my brothers name. We are probably related someplace

Nice margarita before bedtime takes care of all those issues for you

I question my ability at the end of every wedding. Then I have a stiff drink, go to bed and look at my photos the next day. I am never completely satisfied with my work, and I hope I never will - there is always something that can be improved or learned. perfection is something I strive for, but I know it can never be reached.

nicksan wrote in post #14501020
I always think about what I could have done better because I actually do want to get better. There's ALWAYS something...

I think the moment I stop doing that is when I stop improving.

Nick, I must say that I admire your work. Thanks for the advice...there are tons of things I need to do better next go round...mainly stopping and thinking and trying to find moments as well as picking up few rental items.

Christopher Steven b wrote in post #14500845
I can definitely say that especially for my first 20 or so weddings, I had the intense feeling, after each wedding (before actually looking at the finished results) that things didn't go as well as they actually did. Part of this manifested via a kind of selective recall that brought to mind every image that wasn't a keeper (for whatever reason) rather than the hundreds of great photos that I actually took. I seriously think that this phenomenon can actually be helpful in that it encourages you to run the race like you're in 10th place even if you're in 1st. Being overly confident about where one is at can be the biggest enemy in terms of both performing well on the day and also improving over time.

Good to know Im not alone! I hope I can land a few more clients to help me improve (price is free at the moment as long as they understand that I have basically no guarantee on getting every shot they want, lol).

jameswillett wrote in post #14501647
Nick, I must say that I admire your work. Thanks for the advice...there are tons of things I need to do better next go round...mainly stopping and thinking and trying to find moments as well as picking up few rental items.

As long as you keep on thinking that way, you should be fine.

I'd be so miserable shooting weddings in "auto-pilot" mode, I'd probably quit shoot them. That said, sure, it's such a tough day to remain creative, b/c usually you just have to get the standard stuff first, but I try the best I can to get a few shots in there that are the "me" shots. Usually that ends up being beneficial to the clients too.

But yeah, there's ALWAYS something that I know I could have done better. Learning from those mistakes is what will make me a better photographer.

I recall some of my early weddings back in the film days, I'd get a little anxiety before picking up the order. Shoot enough and you gain confidence over the years. It's a lot calmer shooting digital. And as posted above, no matter how careful you are there will typically be a shot you could have made but simply missed.

Yeah, our first wedding ever was an 8h affair at the start of May, and our second was a 10h wedding this past weekend. Draining, but good learning experiences. We've got four more booked for the summer, including two that are unlimited coverage weddings, so yeah...we're preparing ourselves mentally.

When you don't think about the things you could do better next time is when you really should start worrying. I no longer worry that I didn't get the must have shots or that I completely ruined a wedding, but I almost always second guess shots I could have taken but didn't, or the great shot that is out of focus, or any number of things I could improve on.