Let’s get physical, physical, …Let me hear your body talk….

[perfect_quotes id=”390″]

I was the photographer at a birthday party for a friend who is terminally ill, not an assignment that I would ever pass up.  I felt honored to be able to be of service.   It was raining which made both the party and the photography more interesting.

Once upon a time a long time ago, when I was a teenager I had a body that my mind still remembers even if my body doesn’t.

The rig for the shoot was my 5D mk ii, with 24-105mm, a frame for the flash, 550EX, and softbox.  The party lasted 5 hours.

For me today, my lower back is a weak link; the strain of carrying the camera in front of me definitely left me in pain.  (as in lying on a hot pad).   Shame on me; I knew better.  I have a back brace that I wear when I go on the all day photo expeditions just to prevent this problem.

The quote is a cautionary tale.  I need to remember (how many times have I forgotten…), that my body will object if I’m not taking care of when I’m taking photos.  And boy it can HURT when it objects !

I become so focused on taking the photos I forget about my body until it too late.  Here are some to the things that I have done that I would encourage you not to do.

• Heat exhaustion from not enough water.
• Cramped forearm  muscle for 2 weeks from gripping the camera in  my hand while hiking all day.
• Back going out from holding something (glass) in front of me for hours.
• Cuts & bruises from falling while focused on looking through the viewfinder
• One self induced broken foot while backpacking .  I turned so that I would protect the camera while falling and the foot didn’t unweight…

These are just the ones that I remember (can’t remember past the concussion….)…..

Remember your body,  you need it tomorrow…..  Unfortunately there is no sorcerer’s apprentice to take away the pain from ignoring (ignorance?) of my bod.