Lupane Loc: Gainsville, Ga.

When photographing, I use my dominant eye: that is my left eye, to look through the viewfinder. My right eye, is also kept open even though it is covered by the camera body. I have no issues of any kind reading the information flashed on the viewfinder as well as the scenery. However, when I try to use the dominant left eye only, I find my self wasting too much time observing the data around the viewfinder plus the intended scene. In many ways I feel as if I were blind. Indeed, I prefer both eyes open. My question is how other photographers feel about their method of looking through the viewfinder? Thank you.

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

I'd rather use the LCD with both eyes.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I use the viewfinder with my right eye and close the left one--usually. I'll do about anything to avoid using the LCD if at all possible.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Me, right eye for viewfinder, left eye sometimes open, sometimes closed, probably about even, when open helps me with my balance

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

You failed to mention the third option.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Viewfinder, both eyes open.
I am also left eye dominate.

Bill_de Loc: US

Both eyes closed, spray and pray!

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Doyle Thomas Loc: Vancouver Washington ~ USA

Back in the day when I was doing large format I would cover my dominate eye when doing other activities to teach my other eye to see better. Around the house, reading, tv, and even became comfortable driving. Since I made the move to digital the skill have served me well. It has been said that Photography is about light but that is not true. Photography is about seeing and what is not seen.

I first became interested in Photography while serving with the U.S.Army in the early seventies.  I had received training in and was doing sound recording for training films when I realized that my ear and the microphone didn’t hear things in the same way.  To achieve good results I had to teach my ear to listen like a microphone.  I had to hear beyond the sounds I wanted, to the noise that the ear perceives but the brain filters.  I soon realized my eye was the same way and that I could teach myself to see using the tools that mimic vision.  The camera and the eye do not see things in the same way. The camera is between the subject and the Photographer but the Photographer must be in front of the subject.

Doyle Thomas Loc: Vancouver Washington ~ USA

Oh, and btw I tend to use the LCD because 80% of the time I'm on a tripod. It would be cool if there were a way to view the image upside down as a view camera does. That is a powerful tool for seeing general composition and balance.

Bill_de Loc: US

I haven't heard that in a long time. I remember in college we would start some sessions with all prints analyzed upside down and the flipped. You are right about it being a powerful tool.

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Tim Stapp Loc: Mid Mitten

Especially when shooting fast action (grandchildren and their sports), I shoot with both eyes open. It took a while to adjust to the different views when using a telephoto lens, but it allows me to see where/when the action is coming toward the play that I am primarily focusing upon.

"It would be cool if there were a way to view the image upside down as a view camera does. That is a powerful tool for seeing general composition and balance."

Doyle, I agree. The view on the ground glass has taught me more about composition than anything else.

Lupane Loc: Gainsville, Ga.

I had forgotten all about that. Thank you, it brings back some forgotten memories

Lupane Loc: Gainsville, Ga.

Done that in desperation shots...thank you.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

You nailed it!

Lupane Loc: Gainsville, Ga.