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Red Eye Photography Shack Guide

Red eye in portraits and how to avoid it

By Sylvia Adolvana

Red eye in portrait images occurs when the flash from the camera goes directly on the eyes of the subject.

This can easily be avoided by using the red eye reduction feature in a lot of digital cameras.

Alternatively, if you have a removable flash for your camera, then place the flash head away from your portrait models’ face or bounce the flash off the wall or ceiling. Make sure you do some test flashes to ensure there is enough light falling on the subject.

A lot of professionals use a brolly and have the brolly soften the light from the flash. Check with you local photography store and purchase a good quality umbrella(brolly).

For those once in a lifetime shots, the red eye can easily be corrected in a lot of the image editing software like Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.

Avoidance of the effect is the best cure, prepare your camera so that you don’t get the red eye effect.

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You’ve seen the dreaded demon-eye effect that occurs when the camera flash bounces off the eye of a person or pet. An otherwise wonderful picture can be ruined by this.

Technically, this is called red-eye and is caused when the pupil of your subject’s eye is wide open and the light from the camera’s flash reflects off the subjects retina.

In people, the color ends up red; in pets, the color is often green.

The best thing is to prevent the demon-eye effect from the start.

Red-eye reduction in digital cameras

It is rare to find a digital camera that does not come with a red-eye reduction feature. This feature can be turned off or on. It is best left on in all circumstances other than direct sunlight.

The red-eye reduction feature works by flashing a short burst of light at your subject before you snap the picture. This burst of light causes the subject’s pupil to close and makes it less likely for the camera’s flash to reflect off the retina. This in turn reduces the chance of red-eye.

Bounce your flash away from your subject

It also helps to direct the flash of your camera so it does not directly hit your subject’s eyes. Bouncing the flash off a nearby wall or other object will soften its effect and reduce the chances of this unwanted malady.

Between bouncing the flash and using your digital camera’s red-eye reduction feature, your little angel, whether human or animal, will have eyes that don’t glow.

Always be prepared to avoid the red eye by using a lot of the techniques mentioned today.

But if you have done all the work and its still there, just go and correct the red-eye in Photoshop. Its so easy and does not take too long.

You will be pleasantly surprised at the portrait your have created.

About the Author:
Sylvia Adolvana has written articles on digital photography and digital editing software including Photo Balloons, Photo Albums, Photo Enhancement, Adobe Upgrade, Small Digital Cameras, Create DVDs, DVD Burner Software, Family Web Site, Bridal Portraits, Wedding Photos, Wedding Announcements, Business Advice, Graphic Design, Graphic Designer, Graphic Design Company, Design Services, Designers, Website Design, Signage, Advertising Design.
Keep a lookout as more articles are added from this popular author on this website in the near future.