We all hear the importance of having ‘good eyes for photography’ or an eye for art. There’s actually a double meaning in that phrase. Each of us use our eyes as we seek out our subjects. Or, when we spot that something unique, unexpected, out of the corner of our eye.
Photographers earn the reputation for their ‘good eyes’ from their creations behind the lens. But, there’s really two things we need to do to keep our eyes honed and sharp.
What are they? Creative inspiration and our ability to see and focus.
Good Eyes for Great Photography: Inspiration, Seeing & Focusing
First, we’ll share ideas of where we can seek inspiration.
Even though all we have to do is look, sometimes we don’t see the ‘forest for the trees.’ As photographers, we translate a subject from a shutter snap to an image with a little something extra. Something unique.
Many times, finding the unique view is easy. Others times, we struggle to seeing creatively. Here’s a few ideas to infuse some new perspectives:
- Travel in your home town like a tourist. Explore sites, gardens, lakes, museums. Visit the sites others travel to your city to visit. For people watchers, take a seat on a park bench in a new spot.
- Join in the fun! Hook up with a camera club or camera outing (practicing safe social distancing of course!). Even though I do my best work solo, seeing sights with others expands our view.
- Step completely outside of your comfort zone & genre. If you’re a nature photographer, try street photography. If you’re a street photographer, offer to photograph your friends’ kids. Landscape photographer? Photograph dessert (before you eat it).
- Nasty weather? Pull out an old art book. The Masters. A study of color. Architecture. Take a deep dive into a specific study of art to apply new techniques in your imagery.
- Force creativity into a favorite spot. We have our rinse and repeat locations. The ones we go back to because of the light, the sights and even the comfort. Try going with the intention of taking an unrecognizable image. Give yourself a challenge of revisiting a favorite with a twist
- Go off a deep end in post processing? If you’ walk the line of traditional techniques, take a deep dive into pushing the sliders, using a plug-in, learning new techniques. Create imagery that surprises you and others.
Good Eyes for Great Photography: Our Eyes and Our Ability to Focus
As we have an eye for art, our eyesight and vision is the both the tool and the outcome. The gift of sight for photographers is more than just seeing. It’s the heart and soul of our work.
As outdoor photographers, we’re in the elements. Bright lights, dark nights, wind, extreme temperatures. As indoor photographers, we expose our eyes to indoor lighting, artificial air, various lighting conditions.
The result? Our external factors impact our eye health. As someone who’s spent years in front of a computer screen, oodles of hours in the outdoors, our eyes get a workout.
Sometimes they just need to rest in addition to taking proactive steps to promote healthy eyes.
Keeping Our Focus: Eye Health
Eye discomfort manifests in multiple ways.
There’s eye strain, tired eyes, allergies, dry eye and many other factors impacting eye health. Luckily, many eye syndromes improve with the right care and treatment approaches.
Signs of tired eyes: tired, burning watery eyes; blurred vision; headache; sore neck & shoulders, light sensitivity, hard to keep your eyes open, hard to concentrate.
However, there are roughly 15-16 million Americans known to be affected by some form of Dry Eye Syndrome. There’s more than likely many more that are undiagnosed or the severity is not confirmed (per Opthamology Times). Dry Eye Syndrome is an actual disease requiring treatment.
Signs of dry eye: dry, stinging, burning, irritated, feels like something is in your eye, gritty eyes.
Causes of eye discomfort and issues include: aging, long term use or extended use of computer devices, lack of water, exposure to the elements, not wearing good eye protection, hormones, antihistamines.
Each individual’s eye care approach is as individual as your work. Here’s a few tips to consider as your eye care evolves.
Good Eyes for Great Photography: Eye care tips for eye health
Eye Care – Simple Steps with Lifetime Impact
- Visit your eye doctor annually. No question that this tops the list. Our eye doctors perform tests to ensure vision accuracy and overall eye health.
- Eye care vitamins – Eating the right foods, taking vitamins that promote eye health offer long term health benefits. Years ago my optometrist suggested Nordic Naturals Fish Oil. Within 60 days, my eyes and skin felt better.
- Eye drops – They’re not just for getting the red out. Eye drops when used correctly, lubricate, provide comfort and help minimize dryness. If you’re in the elements, in front of computer screens, contact lens wearer, eye drops provide comfort and care. Always check with your eye doctor on the drops right for your eyes!
Eye Protection Is Smart & Easy
- Polarized Sunglasses – Just like our advice for camera lenses – we should buy the best, polarized eye protection you can afford. Our peepers are even more precious than our lenses. Polarized sunglasses offer UV protection and reduce the amount of light and glare. They help us to see more clearly and reduce eye strain. I’ve worn Native Polarized lenses for over five years. They’re lightweight, comfortable and most important, do a great job in protecting my eyes from harsh glare.
- Reading or Eye Glasses with blue light protection (except when post processing as it alters the color). With smartphones, TV’s, computer screens, our eyes receive deep dives into blue light. While all long term impacts are not known, blue light takes it toll on our peepers. Eye strain, potential retina damage (macular degeneration as we get older) over the long haul are two reasons why this little investment offers big benefits.
- Readers when you need them versus straining when you can’t find them. They’re in the car, my purse, my desk. Reading glasses are more than an over-40 fashion statement, they minimize eye strain, tiredness and squinting.
- Safety glasses when working in environments with eye risks (gardening, chemicals, industrial settings) protects your eyesight from accidents and injuries.
As I rely on my long term eye doctor for eye care and treatment, her feedback and insight helps me keep my eyes more comfortable. As I suffer from various eye issues, there’s not one specific treatment. Instead it’s combination of treatments and protection to help manage my eye health and vision sharpness. The outcome is that when we see better, our work is better.
Good eyes starts with eye care. Great photography happens when our good, healthy eyes find awesome subjects!
