Wearing glasses while photographing can complicate your shooting experience, but it doesn't need to hold you back. Whether you face issues with smudging, fogging, or trouble seeing through your viewfinder, there are practical ways to make life easier behind the camera.
Coming to you from David Bergman with Adorama, this informative video addresses some common challenges and practical solutions when dealing with glasses. Bergman begins by explaining how to use your camera's diopter effectively. If your eyesight isn't severely impaired, fine-tuning the diopter can let you shoot without glasses altogether. Bergman advises setting it based on how you'll actually shoot—if you're wearing glasses, keep them on; if not, take them off. He even provides a handy tip about using gaffer tape to stop accidental diopter adjustments while shooting.
Smudging lenses is a common annoyance for anyone who shoots while wearing glasses, and Bergman gives straightforward solutions. He suggests carrying a microfiber lens cleaning cloth and choosing glasses with anti-smudge coatings to minimize frequent cleanups. He also discusses fogging, particularly when transitioning from cool interiors to warm, humid outdoor conditions. Getting outside early to adjust and using specialized anti-fog wipes can reduce this issue significantly. For rainy conditions, Bergman recommends a baseball cap or wide-brimmed hat to keep glasses dry and clear.
When choosing glasses specifically to help your photography, Bergman provides useful recommendations. He advises selecting lenses with anti-reflective and hydrophobic or anti-smudge treatments, while warning against blue-light filtering or transition lenses. Both of these features negatively impact color accuracy and your ability to perceive the scene correctly, making them a poor choice for photographers who value precision.
The video also touches on viewfinder visibility, a crucial factor if you're constantly missing details at the edges of your shots due to glasses preventing a close fit. Bergman demonstrates how Canon cameras offer a handy setting that slightly reduces and centers the viewfinder image, giving you a complete visual even while wearing glasses. He suggests exploring whether your own camera system has a similar feature.
Bergman also discusses progressive and multifocal lenses, explaining why they can present unique challenges to seeing clearly through a viewfinder. He acknowledges there's no magical fix to this, except plenty of practice and experience. With regular use, you gradually learn to find the sweet spot more consistently, though it remains challenging under pressure or in high-paced shooting environments.
Finally, Bergman briefly dives into options such as laser eye surgery and newer vision-correction technologies, stressing their benefits and limitations relating specifically to photography. Autofocus advancements have also become indispensable for many photographers experiencing worsening vision, making it possible to shoot sharply despite eyesight changes. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Bergman.
Easy answer for above, take off your glasses. Use the eye piece correction dial to focus the viewfinder.
I would love to see an article and video about how to shoot comfortably from a wheelchair.