Photography isnt always "fun".

Sorry if you think this is mindless rambling, I am a little tired, I need to vent.

This week has been a chore and a half. I always told myself I would never get tired of shooting, but it happened to me today. I wanted to throw my camera(not literally)

I had 3 major tournaments this week, 9 photo assignments from school(not something I could wing, 6 are worth big marks) one was a car shoot for Ford's new Mustang, 3 outdoor lighting assignments and the rest is studio product shoots. Besides that, I had a large volume of stuff that needed to be PP'ed from last week.

I have a big tournament this weekend with three AAA teams coming from Sweden. I will be shooting all day every day till Monday.

I havent even bothered posting this week. For you guys who shoot alot, how do you cope with the pressure? I just want to pack my equipment and store in the closet for the next week. Don't you just get tired sometimes?

Counting garbage shots, I have taken over 10,000 shots this week. I have pretty much been awake 20 hours every day.

*Rubs face* I need sleep.

My friend, photography is like life. It is wayto important to take seriously.
You are going to be OK. If it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger and all that crap.
Take care of yourself and the rest of us will accept you for yourself.
Get some rest, food, drink, whatever you need.
Take it a piece at a time. You cannot eat an elephant at one meal.
You will survive.
Rest well.

Thanks. Most of the shots came from the sports events, starting last Saturday I shot 4-6 succesive games a day till yesterday, then I went to the school studio and did some shoots with the 4x5, mind you I have a digital back, so cost isnt really the issue.

The studio shots are fine and its not that I lack confidence, I think, I actually get lots of keepers but I take 300/game, and keep 200-250, but I guess I can cut it down. I just look at it that I give parents a choice of 2-4 pictures of the kids + I need "one of a kind" photos for the team websites and whatnot.

I probably am starting to spread myself too thin, I didnt think the hockey thing would get big fast, but word got around faster then I expected. Thankfully this is the last major event of the season.
Off to another hockey game now.

Hey - P-R
You are right in your thread title. I shoot horses and riders.
There are times when the load is tremendous. I cleverly inserted a line in my order form that states "1 to 2 weeks, first in first out". If they (clients) have a problem, I refer them to the timeline. And yes, some poses and subjects seem almost like you have shot the exact frame a thousand times. Take an hour (or two) and walk away, do something gratifying (selfish) and then finish one job at a time.
"Burn out" is generally temporary. Heck, just clean up your gear and the good feeling will return eventually.

With age comes experience. With experience comes the ability to manage time and apply that time to what matters most.
Heck, at least you got your equipment back.

Persian-Rice wrote:
I probably am starting to spread myself too thin, I didnt think the hockey thing would get big fast, but word got around faster then I expected. Thankfully this is the last major event of the season.
Off to another hockey game now.

Maybe you should shoot the NHL, that would give you plenty of free time.

Sounds like a feat of human endurance - Photography is an ART, and for that you need the reflective side of your brain that shuts down when you start experiencing sleep deprevation.

10,000 shots!!! blistering!

Cheer up Persian-Rice, don't forget that your images somewhere, in some way or form really matters to someone. Can't help being a little bit jealous though, I've shot 5000 images since late august 2004...

20 hours a day seems unbearable, in my humble situation (compared to yours) I find a peace at mind leaving my cellphone at home and head for the beach, preferably a desolate one. Perphaps into the deep woods, strangly enough WITH my camera. Thus shooting what I will, when I want to...

Could you please post links and/or images of the new Mustang?

Hey Persian, if you ever need some help I'm looking for a mentor in Toronto!