Why so many blinkers?

Last night I was asked to shoot a high school graduation for my brother-in-law as a favor - his son and daughter (twins) both graduated with honors. I was using my Mark III, 70-200 f/2.8 L and 580 EX II with diffuser. I had free access to shoot from any location.

So as I am shooting various subjects, fairly close but not too close (about 10 rows back), and I am waiting for them to look up and at the audience and I would say 75% of my shots they blinked right as the shutter fired! This was on a consistent basis. I mean, I can see the whites of their eyes, I click, and when I chimp I see closed eyes. SO FRUSTRATING! At one point it happened 5 times in a row. Is it the flash? My location? Is it just dumb luck? When the room is silent during a speech it is disconcerting that I need to shoot 5 frames of the same person just to get a keeper. And those around me must be wondering why I need 5 shots of the exact same subject. Any suggestions?

Perhaps wait till they blink then shoot immediately afterwards.

I once read a tip for portraits, although I have never tried it, that the photographer got his subject to close their eyes then asked them to open them and fired the second they opened them. Dunno if it works though and to be honest is only really useful for one-on-one sessions.

ETTL pre-flash is sometimes not nearly as fast as some people's blink reflex. This is particularly evident in females.

Switching to M mode solves any reflex problem. For large groups I ask them to blink when I count to three and then I shoot on the 4 count. Works flaslessly with M.

cosworth wrote in post #5738150
ETTL pre-flash is sometimes not nearly as fast as some people's blink reflex. This is particularly evident in females.

Switching to M mode solves any reflex problem. For large groups I ask them to blink when I count to three and then I shoot on the 4 count. Works flaslessly with M.

That is a great piece of advice. Thanks

I have them open their eyes on # 3. 1 - 2 - 3 (Opening eyes) Usually does the trick. Pupils will be kinda big though.

Thanks for the advice. Obviously ill try that when i can... but at my event there was no dialog possible during the shooting.

My husbands brother and dad are the kings of blinking. We have found a good trick that works great with them, have them look at your forehead instead of the camera. They dont blink and it still looks like they are looking into the camera. Hope this helps you out too!!
Tammy

Anke wrote in post #5738142
Perhaps wait till they blink then shoot immediately afterwards.

I once read a tip for portraits, although I have never tried it, that the photographer got his subject to close their eyes then asked them to open them and fired the second they opened them. Dunno if it works though and to be honest is only really useful for one-on-one sessions.

I myself just read that somewhere on here too

People anticipate when you click and they blink reflexively. So to fool them, count down from 3. 3-2-1, but click on the 2 count.

It's the pre-flash. If I get a blinker... I'll hit the * button then wait a second before I take the shot. Works everytime. I've tried the whole close the eyes trick, but I always ended up with people with that "deer in the headlights" look. While it's funny to look at, it's not very flattering.

cosworth wrote in post #5738150
ETTL pre-flash is sometimes not nearly as fast as some people's blink reflex. This is particularly evident in females.

Switching to M mode solves any reflex problem. For large groups I ask them to blink when I count to three and then I shoot on the 4 count. Works flaslessly with M.

Bingo.

And just to clarify, he means Manual flash mode (manual exposure on the camera would be a good idea, too).

This technique would have worked well in your situation since all of the shots were from the same distance. Once you get the flash power dialed in, you'll get the same exposure every time.

I've yet to get a flash shot of my sister with her eyes open. Available light is OK. I'm convinced, as was said already, she is reacting to the ETTL pre-flash.

The only solutions are to rewire the human nervous system so people don't blink, or to take more than one picture to improve your chances of getting an image with open eyes. Australian researchers have calculated the number of frames you'll need to expose to get open eyes from a group shot.

ETTL has been referred to as Eyes closed TTL for a reason

René Damkot wrote in post #5766339
ETTL has been referred to as Eyes closed TTL for a reason

Hadn't heard that one. Cute.

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