Steadman's Latest Tip #1: Keep Your Eyes Open...

Yeah...you read that right. I wrote "keep your eyes open." Emphasis on the plural...eyes.

Sounds logical eh?

But...think hard about this...now really think hard....when you shoot a pic...say of your kids playing outside (or inside) do you look in your viewfinder and "close the left eye?" (as if aiming a rifle?)

Try it. Put your D30 up to your eye....and look deeply into that nice little viewfinder...and do as you normally do....and I bet you will (if you watch yourself) close your left eye and look through the viewfinder with your right eye. Betcha.

"OK...what's the big deal? I've been doing that for ages..with every camera I have ever owned.." you might say. And of course there is only room for one eye to look in that little hole so why not close the other eye to better "focus" on the subject?

Here's why:

1. You were born with two eyes.

2. Two eyes is better.

3. Two eyes allows you to have stereo vision and better awareness of depth and a broader field of view.

So what? Why is that important if there is only room for one eye in the viewfinder?

Because...if you are shooting anything that moves (say kids or basketball or sports or just a walking gaggle of geese or a single titmouse) then you need to be aware of their movement into and out of the "picture."

Because of this, many sports photographers shoot wider and crop later. They don't want to miss the action by looking into just a little restricted viewfinder.

Welll.....you can greatly expand your effective field of view (the organic kind) by using both eyes. Really.

Does this work? Yep.

Here is what you do next time you are shooting the kids (with pixels) or a bird or a Larry Bird....just keep both eyes open.

Now...assuming you are using the center focus point and autofocus on the lens...all you have to do is keep the center focus point....um...centered on the subject...while using both eyes to track the subject.

What happens is remarkable. IF you keep both eyes open your will "see through and around" the D30. Yes...even seeing "through" metal and plastic camera bodies is possible using this technique (let's call it Steadman's Stereoscopic Visioning Technique...for short...SSV). You just gotta try this...It works. In effect, your camera body becomes "transparent or invisible"....sorta like using a Heads Up Display on a fighter jet...

So when you have both eyes open, you will be able to see the action...and your brain will begin to adjust to allow your right eye to keep that center focus point on target...and your stereo vision will keep you aware of the action and position or direction of the subject...yielding better shots and more "keepers."

OK I am at the end of long tip here....you may not believe me...but if you follow the directions and practice a little...I bet you will be a convert to SSV in no time.

By the way, this SSV technique is a real technique I use all the time.

Good luck and good light to you.

And if it works for you....post a response here and let us know.

Steadman

thanks steadman for posting something about USING the d30!--Marc

Sounds logical. Try as I may, I just can't get it to work.

Probably would help if I used my RIGHT eye instead of the LEFT one, huh?

But I can't shoot with my right eye on the viewfinder very well, either. I can, but ONLY if I close the left one.

Sounds like I need eye-training! --The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.netPhotography -- just another word for compromise

David

Do you mean you look into the viewfinder with your left eye and then close your right eye?

Are you left handed?

Steadman

DavidP said:

Sounds logical. Try as I may, I just can't get it to work.

Probably would help if I used my RIGHT eye instead of the LEFT one,
huh?

But I can't shoot with my right eye on the viewfinder very well,
either. I can, but ONLY if I close the left one.

Sounds like I need eye-training!
--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise

Click to expand...

I have been usnig the D30 with both eyes open, left eye through the viewfinder. I'm right-handed. Have most right-handed people found it best to look through the viewfinder? Thanks.

Steadman Uhlich said:

David
Do you mean you look into the viewfinder with your left eye and
then close your right eye?

Are you left handed?

Steadman

Click to expand...

George Montemayor said:

I have been usnig the D30 with both eyes open, left eye through the
viewfinder. I'm right-handed.

Click to expand...

Have most right-handed people found

George Montemayor said:

it best to look through the viewfinder? Thanks.

Click to expand...

Yes, Im right handed and i always look thru the viewfinder.
--Marc

Yep, that's what I do.

And, no, I'm right-handed.

I think you'll be surprised to find I'm not the ONLY one who shoots this way.

Maybe it's a birth defect.

Steadman Uhlich said:

David
Do you mean you look into the viewfinder with your left eye and
then close your right eye?

Are you left handed?

Click to expand...

--The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.netPhotography -- just another word for compromise

Steadman Uhlich said:

Yeah...you read that right. I wrote "keep your eyes open."
Emphasis on the plural...eyes.

Click to expand...

I've used this for some time (although I am still in the realm of 35mm film...), and I found it not so helpful on wide-angle shots, but for telephoto (better the longer the lens) for keeping track of what is going on outside the frame. Since none of the pictures I take (or at least 99.9%) are not posed, I try to be aware of what is going on around my subject, while still using the zoom to try to crop as tightly as I want. Then, if something happens outside the viewfinder, zoom out a bit, refocus and "click", capture the image.

A really useful way of using longish zooms

Now, about taking those good pictures...

Not everyone has a dominant right eye (my dominant eye is my left one and that is the one I sight with). If you want to know which eye is dominant (and I can't believe you don't already know) with both eyes open, sight a distant vertical object, (the edge of a door or a sign pole) and with one finger cover the object (you'll see two fingers sort of but you'll cover the vertical line with one of them. Now close your left eye. If the vertical line is covered then your right eye is dominant. If it isn't closing the right eye will cover it and your left eye is dominant. If neither does it then your probably cross-eyed.

Having a dominant left eye has its disadvantages. Not only can't you SSV but if you try to use a tiny camera, like my wife's Nikon 885, your face covers the whole camera back making the controls impossible to use while sighting.

But it's good to know that the 6,000 images are all sorted, post-processed and sold for premium rates and that our glorious mentor is leading us out of the darkness once again.

Thanks Steadman.

billtoo

Nope, you are not alone David. I also shoot with my left eye (dominant eye). I have been trying to switch to the right eye, because this makes more sense ergonomically, but it needs to be a conscious thing. The natural tendency is to always use my left. BTW, I am right handed for everything except golf, hockey, and hitting in baseball.

DavidP said:

Yep, that's what I do.

And, no, I'm right-handed.

I think you'll be surprised to find I'm not the ONLY one who shoots
this way.

Maybe it's a birth defect.

Click to expand...

OK OK....

1. Yes...one eye can be dominant. Just like hands. Swap eyes (figuratively speaking) so you use your left eye in the viewfinder if you must.

Bad part of this is that you may find it hard to use the finger wheel to adjust ISO on the fly....another thing I do regularly.

2. Yes...it is easy to test for eye dominance (see Bill's easy explanation below) (thanks for adding that Bill...just in case someone doesnt know already, you answered the question).

3. Yes....this may not be necessary if you are using a wide angle. Notice my examples of sports, bird watching and kid shooting (with camera) which usually does not involve wide angles (as much) and instead is usually problematic because the "action extends beyond the view in the viewfinder"

4. Also...this SSV technique is like learning to ride a bike. It doesn't seem to make physical sense at first (the transparency of camera point) but if you learn how to do it...it becomes second nature. Easy to learn...just practice a bit. You can do it in the safety of your own home. Just look around the room...some through the viewfinder only (with the other...any other...eye shut like Popeye....) and then with both eyes open.

Best of luck to you all,

(Two Eyed) Steadman

Bill too said:

Not everyone has a dominant right eye (my dominant eye is my left
one and that is the one I sight with). If you want to know which
eye is dominant (and I can't believe you don't already know) with
both eyes open, sight a distant vertical object, (the edge of a
door or a sign pole) and with one finger cover the object (you'll
see two fingers sort of but you'll cover the vertical line with one
of them. Now close your left eye. If the vertical line is covered
then your right eye is dominant. If it isn't closing the right eye
will cover it and your left eye is dominant. If neither does it
then your probably cross-eyed.

Having a dominant left eye has its disadvantages. Not only can't
you SSV but if you try to use a tiny camera, like my wife's Nikon
885, your face covers the whole camera back making the controls
impossible to use while sighting.

But it's good to know that the 6,000 images are all sorted,
post-processed and sold for premium rates and that our glorious
mentor is leading us out of the darkness once again.

Thanks Steadman.

billtoo

Click to expand...

DavidP,

I thought of you when I wrote this tip. It could apply to your stage work when you are zooomed in with your 70-200 IS. I use it myself (the SSV) when doing theatre photography (like at a ballet).

IF you usually use your left eye to look in the viewfinder...just switch eyes...(ha) I mean just look with your right eye open too.

The trick is to let your "viewfinder eye" relax a little....you have to use it to be aware of what is in the viewfinder....and making sure the focal point is on the subject (this is pretty easy if you stick to just the center focal point) and then let your other eye start to take over a little....all of a sudden...your brain will kick in with sterovision and your camera will become transparent or almost see-through. You will still use your "dominant" eye to track the subject, but now you can use your other eye to keep up with the movements of actors/singers/players/ on the scene/stage.

If this seems "unclear" at this time.....just try this...take one hand and put it over your eye (either) and then look with both eyes open (one covered) and you should still be able to "see" with both eyes. Your brain does it.

Anyway, give it a try and keep trying. I think it would be helpful in your stage centered work. Assuming Ole Kenny can still move about. (wink).

Steadman

DavidP said:

Sounds logical. Try as I may, I just can't get it to work.

Probably would help if I used my RIGHT eye instead of the LEFT one,
huh?

But I can't shoot with my right eye on the viewfinder very well,
either. I can, but ONLY if I close the left one.

Sounds like I need eye-training!
--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise

Click to expand...

Me too but I am left handed. use the left eye, right eye closed.

DavidP said:

And, no, I'm right-handed.

I think you'll be surprised to find I'm not the ONLY one who shoots
this way.

Maybe it's a birth defect.

Steadman Uhlich said:

David
Do you mean you look into the viewfinder with your left eye and
then close your right eye?

Are you left handed?

Click to expand...

--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise

Click to expand...

Marc H said:

George Montemayor said:

I have been usnig the D30 with both eyes open, left eye through the
viewfinder. I'm right-handed.

Click to expand...

Have most right-handed people found

Marc H said:

it best to look through the viewfinder? Thanks.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Marc H said:

Yes, Im right handed and i always look thru the viewfinder.

Click to expand...

Oops I didn't re-read my post carefully. I meant to ask, do most right-handed users look through the viewfinder with the right eye?

I am having difficulty trying to cover the distant vertical object with my finger. I see two fingers when I try to cover it up with one. It says my right eye is dominant if I use the left image to cover it up and close my left eye. It tells me my left eye is dominant if I use the right image to cover it up and close my right eye. I tried focusing both eyes on my finger (and no, it's not the middle one!) to help aid in covering the distant object, but now I see two images of the distant object! I must be doing something wrong here. Any suggestions?

Bill too said:

Not everyone has a dominant right eye (my dominant eye is my left
one and that is the one I sight with). If you want to know which
eye is dominant (and I can't believe you don't already know) with
both eyes open, sight a distant vertical object, (the edge of a
door or a sign pole) and with one finger cover the object (you'll
see two fingers sort of but you'll cover the vertical line with one
of them. Now close your left eye. If the vertical line is covered
then your right eye is dominant. If it isn't closing the right eye
will cover it and your left eye is dominant. If neither does it
then your probably cross-eyed.

Click to expand...

& thanks for helping people out here

-John

Try this method:

Just point your finger instinctively at a distance object. Now, close one eye and determine which eye has sighted the object.

George Montemayor said:

Bill too said:

Not everyone has a dominant right eye (my dominant eye is my left
one and that is the one I sight with). If you want to know which
eye is dominant (and I can't believe you don't already know) with
both eyes open, sight a distant vertical object, (the edge of a
door or a sign pole) and with one finger cover the object (you'll
see two fingers sort of but you'll cover the vertical line with one
of them. Now close your left eye. If the vertical line is covered
then your right eye is dominant. If it isn't closing the right eye
will cover it and your left eye is dominant. If neither does it
then your probably cross-eyed.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Steadman,

Good tip. I have been an avid hunter for years and this works well in the that arena too. My problem: I see my photographic "target" as just that, a target. I finally realized that and am working on my "rule of thirds", but it's difficult to sqeeze the trigger if the "cross-hairs" are centered over your subject. I might just have to live with "static" photographs for a while!!!
Matt

Steadman Uhlich said:

Yeah...you read that right. I wrote "keep your eyes open."
Emphasis on the plural...eyes.

OK I am at the end of long tip here....you may not believe me...but
if you follow the directions and practice a little...I bet you will
be a convert to SSV in no time.

By the way, this SSV technique is a real technique I use all the time.

Good luck and good light to you.

And if it works for you....post a response here and let us know.

Steadman

Click to expand...

--Squeeze the trigger.......don't pull it!

David,
same here....... dominant left eye and I'm right handed.
been shooting this way for 40 years.

I have tried using right eye in the past, but have problems seeing viewfinder readings.

Jim C.

DavidP said:

And, no, I'm right-handed.

I think you'll be surprised to find I'm not the ONLY one who shoots
this way.

Maybe it's a birth defect.

Steadman Uhlich said:

David
Do you mean you look into the viewfinder with your left eye and
then close your right eye?

Are you left handed?

Click to expand...

--
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://thewilkinsons.crosswinds.net
Photography -- just another word for compromise

Click to expand...

Steadman Uhlich said:

Yeah...you read that right. I wrote "keep your eyes open."
Emphasis on the plural...eyes.

Click to expand...

My husband told me to do this back in the autumn of last year. He assumed that all photographers kept both eyes opened. The D30 is his first camera and his first 'photo shoot' was trying to get shots of birds of prey on the wing.

When I try it, my eyes keep re focusing and I lose the subject.......I must try harder.....I must try harder....as it makes perfect sense. Thanks for allowing my dear husband to say 'I told you so!'

Kate --Life is here to enjoy