Going Blind?

[donlfaulkner]

Yesterday Princess and I spent the morning at the Tyler Rose Garden shooting everything in sight.
When I look through the viewfinder I close my left eye and see with my right. After a few hours of doing this, I began to have a problem with my left eye not wanting to focus.

I've tried to keep both eyes open and just see with only the one eye but that is not working for me. I have entertained the thought of getting an eye patch for my left eye when shooting. Be sort of a Pirate of the Camera.

How do Ya'll handle this? Is there a better solution?

[HotHolly]

Dont shut the closed eye tight and you wont have the blur. It takes intentionality in the beginning if you've always closed your eyes tightly. I used to do that. I still shoot with one eye, unless Im panning. So you can teach yourself to stop that, and it goes away.

[Kalrog]

When I am doing sports photography, I intentionally keep my left (off) eye open to know what is going on around me for safety reasons. It also helps me to get better shots that I might have otherwise missed. It is easier than it sounds - especially if you aren't using a focal length close to "normal".

[donlfaulkner]

Thanks Holly and Nathan. Looks like this old dog has some new tricks to learn.

[donlfaulkner]

I have found that I can use my left eye and not have to close either eye. This works when I remember. Just a mater of retraining years of right eye....I hope.

[CaptainTom]

Shooting high speed sports teaches you to keep both eyes open.

I was once saved from impending death by another photographer. He was watching with both eyes and I had closed one. Ever since, I have trained myself to keep both eyes open. It helps the composition and does eliminate that blur and burn from the "closed" eye.

p.s. I'm a left eye shooter. this used to be called backward or 'goofy footed"

[Dobick]

it does me no good at all to keep both eyes open when shooting sports -- 80% of my shots are done in the portrait orientation, and I am also a "left-eye dominate" shooter. If I keep my right eye open, all I see is the black of the LCD.

I did try it when shooting in the landscape orientation this weekend, and it was just wierd for me. I'll have to try looking through the viewfinder with my right eye just to see if I can do it -- but old habits are hard to break.

[bryanlindsey]

Originally Posted by donlfaulkner

Yesterday Princess and I spent the morning at the Tyler Rose Garden shooting everything in sight.
When I look through the viewfinder I close my left eye and see with my right. After a few hours of doing this, I began to have a problem with my left eye not wanting to focus.

I've tried to keep both eyes open and just see with only the one eye but that is not working for me. I have entertained the thought of getting an eye patch for my left eye when shooting. Be sort of a Pirate of the Camera.

How do Ya'll handle this? Is there a better solution?

That's what I tend to do, close the left eye. If shooting vertical with a hotshoe flash, you can open your left eye and see just black back-of-the-speedlight. If shooting horizontal, you can try using your left hand to cover your open left eye.

Or, practice composing with both eyes open. It's challenging, but do-able. I always think of Nicholas Cage in the movie Firebirds.

[donlfaulkner]

Left eye (keeping both eyes open) seems to be working...when I remember. I keep trying to use the right eye. Old habits die hard.

[michel.cedric]

What do you mean you THINK you going blind? Go see a doctor and get yourself a diagnosis. Worry about picking up chicks and playing the keyboard later.

[donlfaulkner]

Just to update. I've learned to use the left eye and keep both eyes open. No more squinting. Maybe I'm not as old a dog as I thought. Now to see the eye doctor and then maybe I can get my pictures in focus.

[humminboid]

I have a similar problem (s) I am right-handed, and just found out I am left eye dominant. Hoo Boy!

I do shoot handguns better, using my left eye, tho, even if is is a bit slow and awkward, but cameras and rifles....

When I concentrate for long periods of time, like target shooting, I develop double vision. Nothing medical they can find, and it goes away after a while. My dad taught me to shoot with one eye (my left) shut 60+ years ago, and you didn't argue with him...ever!

Dogs..tricks; and I have not been able to tell that keeping two eyes open aids my situational awareness; it just adds distraction.

What's a guy to do?

I guess, just the best you can, under your particular circumstances.

[ppcass]

I too, am right-handed/left-eye dominant. I shoot both a handgun and a rifle left handed and I use my left eye when shooting with my camera. I do keep both eyes open and have never had a problem. Everybodie's situation is different, and like Carl said...you do what works!