Shooting with an eye-patch

[ftaok]

OK, don't laugh ... I'm serious about this.

Anyways, since switching from a P&S to the XTi, I've found that eye fatigue is becoming an issue with me. I'm right handed / right eyed, but I have trouble closing my left eye while leaving the right one opened.

I've tried shooting with both eyes opened, but it's too hard to ignore what I'm seeing in my left eye.

So I'm thinking about getting an eye-patch to cover my left eye (ideally, it'll be loose enough to go over my glasses) so that I don't have to close it. Does anyone else do this? Are there health concerns (i.e. my right eye becomes more dominant, etc.)?

I figure that I'll look like a dork, but if I keep it small, it may blend into the black camera body. I've already got to flip my cap backwards, so an eyepatch won't be too bad.

Thanks.

ft

 

[ChrisA]

Anyways, since switching from a P&S to the XTi, I've found that eye fatigue is becoming an issue with me.

I think the problem is that your eye has to focus on the image in the view finder. Most SLR view finders contain optics that make the screen inside act as if it were one meter from your eye. Eyestrain might be that you have trouble focusing at one meter.

Does your camera have a diopter adjustment on the viewfinder? If so you can adjust it to reduce eyestrain if not you can buy a prescription glass that attaches to the viewfinder.

I think the root of the problem is fatigue in the muscles that control the shape of the lens in your eye. The cure is corrective optics that allow those muscles to relax

 

[ftaok]

ChrisA,

I think maybe "eye fatigue" isn't the right term that I should have used. I have no problem focusing with my right eye via the viewfinder. The fatigue is happening in my left eye because I have to contort my entire face to get it closed. Over time, the muscles on the left side of my face get tired of keeping the left eye closed.

I'm just thinking that it would be much easier to use an eyepatch so that I don't have to close my left eye.

ft

 

[benlangdon]

first i thought this was a gun thread.

well if your shooting a gun, a lot of people use eye patches, including me when i used to compete. well only when i was shooting with my rifle, the only reason to do this really is just to keep that eye closed, you only really need it when your waiting a long time for the target.

anyway, just relax when you taking your pictures, a lot of people when focussing doing anything tense up and thats probably your problem, so relax and remember to breath

my go kart coach said this once, if your butt hole is clinched, you will be able to be passed in a cinch

ya... relax

 

[atari1356]

I've found that eye fatigue is becoming an issue with me. I'm right handed / right eyed, but I have trouble closing my left eye while leaving the right one opened.

I'm right handed, and look through the viewfinder with my left eye... is there a particular reason you can't do that? Better vision through your right eye or something?

 

[ftaok]

I'm right handed, and look through the viewfinder with my left eye... is there a particular reason you can't do that? Better vision through your right eye or something?

I tried that yesterday and it's very difficult for me to do that. My right eye is my dominant eye (by a great deal). Also, I find it much harder to close my right eye than it is to close my left one (while leaving the other eye open, of course).

Besides, my nose kept hitting the buttons when I was using my left eye.

I'm really looking to see if there would be a medical reason not to use an eyepatch. I'm not looking to keep it on all the time, pretty much just when I'm shooting.

I guess I can try to use the "relax" technique. At this point, I'll try anything.

ft

 

[7031]

I think the problem is that your eye has to focus on the image in the view finder. Most SLR view finders contain optics that make the screen inside act as if it were one meter from your eye. Eyestrain might be that you have trouble focusing at one meter.

Does your camera have a diopter adjustment on the viewfinder? If so you can adjust it to reduce eyestrain if not you can buy a prescription glass that attaches to the viewfinder.

I think the root of the problem is fatigue in the muscles that control the shape of the lens in your eye. The cure is corrective optics that allow those muscles to relax

Yeah. I can use a camcorder without glasses if I focus the viewfinder lol.

 

[Grimace]

I actually have found it is easier (after a bit of practice) to keep BOTH eyes open. You sort of "zone out" your left eye after a while.

 

[jbernie]

Besides, my nose kept hitting the buttons when I was using my left eye.

I'm really looking to see if there would be a medical reason not to use an eyepatch. I'm not looking to keep it on all the time, pretty much just when I'm shooting.

I guess I can try to use the "relax" technique. At this point, I'll try anything.

ft

You can also see a surgeon about removing your nose

Although a patch may work, have you thought about trying to train your left eye when doing normal tasks. ie during the commercial breaks ry to keep it closed for one commercial, open for one, closed for the next. Do that a few times in an hour so maybe when it comes time to using the camera it gets easier?

Either way an eye patch sounds like a worthwhile purchase.

 

[TimTheEnchanter]

I actually have found it is easier (after a bit of practice) to keep BOTH eyes open. You sort of "zone out" your left eye after a while.

I agree. With practice you can do this, just train whichever eye you want, or both like I did depending on what I'm shooting if I need to.

I wonder how well this thing works if your camera doesn't have live preview on the LCD.

 

[law guy]

Arrrr - I mean - ARE you shooting in a style where you have your eye up to the viewfinder for a long period of time without breaks? When I put the camera up to my left eye (right handed) my right eye just shuts automatically. It doesn't cause any fatigue, but I wonder if that's because I shot a few shots and then take the camera from my eye and look around at what's happening / what's about to happen and then put it back to shoot (repeat).

 

[benlangdon]

I agree. With practice you can do this, just train whichever eye you want, or both like I did depending on what I'm shooting if I need to.

I wonder how well this thing works if your camera doesn't have live preview on the LCD.

that is pretty cool

I tried that yesterday and it's very difficult for me to do that. My right eye is my dominant eye (by a great deal). Also, I find it much harder to close my right eye than it is to close my left one (while leaving the other eye open, of course).

Besides, my nose kept hitting the buttons when I was using my left eye.

I'm really looking to see if there would be a medical reason not to use an eyepatch. I'm not looking to keep it on all the time, pretty much just when I'm shooting.

I guess I can try to use the "relax" technique. At this point, I'll try anything.

ft

ok here we go
eye patches can be used to cover up the more dominant eye to make the other eye work more. this is done with people who have a lazy eye.

wearing an eye patch has no ill affects. it can actually be very beneficial. you can use it as the pirates did. they would wear the eye patch on (L or R) lets say the left and not on the right. when out side in the bright they would keep the patch on. but if need be to go in a dark environment very closely following a bright one you take the patch off. your eye will already be adjusted to the low light conditions.


try it, it pretty cool. go in a dark room, wait tell your eyes adjust, then cover one and go out side. now go back inside after you have adjusted to the brightness and take your hand of your eye. its pretty cool

 

[jbernie]

I agree. With practice you can do this, just train whichever eye you want, or both like I did depending on what I'm shooting if I need to.

I wonder how well this thing works if your camera doesn't have live preview on the LCD.

That zigview is pretty neat, for $180-230 it is priced quite well in comparison to other gadgets we all desire for the camers.

 

[Abstract]

I'm right handed, and look through the viewfinder with my left eye... is there a particular reason you can't do that? Better vision through your right eye or something?

I do the same. I can't use my right eye. It just feels strange that one eye is focused, while the other is staring into empty space.

 

[termina3]

I'm right handed, and look through the viewfinder with my left eye... is there a particular reason you can't do that? Better vision through your right eye or something?

Even if you have better vision through the right eye, it would make sense to go to the left eye; the black camera would work as an eye patch itself. I also find this more comfortable when you support the camera with your left hand.

Of course, I say this being right-handed, left-eye dominant (and lefty batter).

my go kart coach said this once, if your butt hole is clinched, you will be able to be passed in a cinch

WHAT!?!?!?

I actually have found it is easier (after a bit of practice) to keep BOTH eyes open. You sort of "zone out" your left eye after a while.

I don't know if I close my right eye when I shoot… I just don't think about it. I'll have to check it sometime.

 

[benlangdon]

WHAT!?!?!?

see if you clinch your butt hole. if you do, try not to and relax

just try it

 

[mcarnes]

Shiver Me Timbers

 

[ftaok]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the suggestions. That viewfinder gadget is pretty neat. I don't think I'd go for it, but it could be pretty cool to play with.

I tried using some of the techniques presented when I was home last night. Mixed results.

1. I tried looking through the view finder with my left eye. This worked OK with my right eye opened since the camera partially obstructed my right eye. The problem was that my nose was pushing up against the ISO button (although the schnoz never actually pressed it). I was also having a little trouble focusing with the left eye.

2. I tried using my right eye with the left eye opened. This felt more comfortable, but it was very difficult to mentally block out what the left eye was seeing. I could frame the picture OK, but for whatever reason, I couldn't focus on the viewfinder info (e.g. f-stop, shutter speed, etc).

3. I tried closing my left eye in a more relaxed manner. This probably worked the best, but as soon as I tried getting the shot(s), I would tense up again. It sounds counterintuitive, but closing my eye in a relaxed manner actually takes more effort. Perhaps I'll need to practice this more.

In the meantime, I'll go to Target to look for an eye-patch to see how that goes.

Thanks!

ft

 

[Everythingisnt]

I'd say go with the eyepatch.

If it helps you relieve the stress in your left eye, and you don't mind wearing it, I don't see why you shouldn't go for it!

Besides, the worst that can happen is that you're mistaken for a pirate or something.

 

[jbernie]

3. I tried closing my left eye in a more relaxed manner. This probably worked the best, but as soon as I tried getting the shot(s), I would tense up again. It sounds counterintuitive, but closing my eye in a relaxed manner actually takes more effort. Perhaps I'll need to practice this more.

I would think with my suggestion to do the training you would probably need to do it for a period of time, at least weeks, so it can be come second nature. You can practice this anywhere anytime but use the eye patch for now to have immediate results.

 

[jtblueberry]

as an added benefit, you should be able to get some pretty good smiles if you shoot portraits or family photos

 

[Brensdae]

I found this thread because I too wear a left-eye patch when shooting a photography session. Most replies have little advice to do with the problem. Look, some people can wink with ease, others can't. This is what the problem is and it's got nothing to do with vision or dominant/non-dominant eye. I too cannot wink easily, so obviously, when keeping one eye closed while the other focuses (perfect vision) fatigues the muscles in the closed eye quickly. After a while I cannot even close the left eye. My suggestion, wear a patch and be brave!

 

[atlanticza]

I actually have found it is easier (after a bit of practice) to keep BOTH eyes open. You sort of "zone out" your left eye after a while.

Agreed. It becomes second nature after a while.

 

[Gargiulo]

I'm a little late to this conversation, but...I have been tempted to use one, so I can keep both eyes open, but not have the left's vision interfere with the right. I find that after an hour or so of keeping the left eye closed, my vision in that eye becomes a bit blurred for some time afterwards. Keeping both eyes open would alleviate that, but it is a little distracting having them both open when I'm shooting.

 

[ftaok]

I'm a little late to this conversation, but...I have been tempted to use one, so I can keep both eyes open, but not have the left's vision interfere with the right. I find that after an hour or so of keeping the left eye closed, my vision in that eye becomes a bit blurred for some time afterwards. Keeping both eyes open would alleviate that, but it is a little distracting having them both open when I'm shooting.

Wow, this was a really old post. I sort of remember this discussion.

In the end, I never did get the eye patch. I just got used to closing my left eye without having to clench my entire face. Basically, I ended up using the "relax" suggestion.