Our eyes are just like any other part of our body. The more it is used, the better and fitter its gets. The key here is repetition. Simply put, practice leads to memory which eventually becomes instinct.
The idea that our eyes, like other parts of our body, can improve and become more efficient with practice and repetition. Just like any skill or ability, the more you use your eyes for specific tasks, the better you become at them. For example, in practice photographic practice, we become better at capturing images because we learn to recognise patterns, lighting, and composition.
Through practice, our eyes and brain start to form a memory of what works and what doesn’t in various visual situations. We begin to remember how to adjust our focus, exposure, and framing based on the subject and lighting conditions.
Over time, as we continue to use our eyes for specific tasks, the knowledge and skills become almost second nature. Our eyes develop an instinct for recognising the right moments, angles, or settings, depending on the situation. This instinct allows us to react quickly and make the right decisions without conscious thought.
This concept can apply to various aspects of life beyond photography as well. Athletes develop a keen eye for their sport through repeated practice, allowing them to make split-second decisions.
The “photographic eye” metaphor emphasises the importance of practice and repetition in honing our visual skills and developing an instinctive understanding of the world around us, whether it’s in photography or other areas of expertise.
Photography & Vision 