Interesting, I just saw my friends pic the other day...

You guys mean like this???

   

So I googled for more info and found this image on the internet...

   

Staci and I have seen a few images of compound strings that look like a wet spaghetti noodle on the shot (half the string "looping" forward and the other half "looping" in the opposite direction. Very interesting...

Ryan'n photo's posted and Zradix's comments back up my theory of distortion.

Think about it.  What propels the arrow?  Forces from the string.  Where does that energy come from?  The limbs.  There is no way the arrow can be accelerating faster that what the string is pushing it.  The silencers cannot have slow the part of the string where they are attached without slowing down the string between the silencers (as I am sure there is one on the bottom of the string also) without the arrow having it's own rocket engine in it (which I doubt it does).  I feel that the reason the silencers seem to be lagging behind is in the camera sensor or editing software.  

Now when the arrow is gone and the remaining energy is being dissipated, then we will see all kinds of string/limb movement.

Curt, I'd go with Major's explanation and Ryan's great visual in my opinion. I've seen a lot of high speed shots of archery gear in action on youtube, TV etc. using professional equipment and while there is definitely a lot more oscillation than one would expect, I've never seen anything like that in all the "real" high speed shots. I don't think it would be physically possible for the string to be "ahead" of itself until after it hits brace. Think of the force of the limbs applied to the string, that's what forces the arrow, so the string would have to stay relatively in line with that force at least as long as it's in contact with the arrow...or the arrow would not move. After the limbs hit brace though you can see that type of funky gyrations pretty plainly high speed. Just my $.02.

Dang, Hermon beat me too it while I was typing. Agree 100% Hermon  

I think the bend of the shaft is the camera as well, I watched the bunny hunt photo the film came from and the shaft looks bent just being held. At 42 seconds into the film-crazy!

Curt, I know you already addressed the theory of downward pressure on the arrow, stating that the appearance is most likely due to fish-eye effect. However, I too have nock high no matter what, and have never been able to break the habit of downward pressure with my index finger. The fact that your issue goes away when shooting three under sure supports the theory. Might be worth further consideration. With that said, if Joe's thoughts are worth $.02, mine are probably in the red.  

Ryan's photo shows exactly the phenomenon that I was trying to describe caused by the sensor design typical of prosumer or consumer cameras.

To get truly high quality, undistorted action shots, a camera like a Photosonics 35mm film camera  http://www.photosonics.com/4c_cam.htm  or a digital camera like a Phantom Flex  http://www.visionresearch.com/Products/High-Speed-Cameras/Phantom-Flex/  would be necessary.  Both of these are expensive image capturing solutions, however.

This video shows some good examples of various high speed frame rates, and gives a basic explanation of how a Phantom Flex works.    http://vimeo.com/48571597

Good stuff fellas!!