How and why should I keep both eyes open?

Digital SLR Photography Tips - Use both eyes

Keep both eyes open? This may sound a little strange, as we are taught to automatically close one eye when looking through the viewfinder. This generally helps to get a perspective of what you are looking at and keeps you focussed on the subject. However, try keeping both eyes open as an experiment and I will tell you why it could come in handy.

Let's say for example you are photographing a moving object, or something that is a bit unpredictable like animals or a sports event. If you are looking with just one eye through the viewfinder, you are limiting your field of vision and therefore more likely to miss any action.

This technique in particularly useful when using telephoto lenses because your field of vision is severely shortened leaving you more open to miss the action. You will have to learn to use both eyes when looking through the viewfinder as when you hold the camera vertically, your "free" eye would normally be looking at the back of the camera.

Strangely enough, it can also put your subject at ease. If you are looking at them through the viewfinder and they cannot see either of your eyes, it can be quite unnerving for them. If they can see one of your eyes, then they can see that you aren't looking where you shouldn't.

Most of the time you will be a stranger to your subject and doing this will put them at ease. (One to remember when you are a famous wedding or portrait photographer)!

One final benefit of using both eyes is that you are not "scrunching" one eye up all the time making the wrinkles more prominent on that eye ; )

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