How to Get Rid of Red-Eye in Photographs

By eHow Electronics Editor

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Red-eye occurs when the camera flash reflects the blood vessels of the retina into the lens. Here are some ways to prevent and remove this devilish effect.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Anti-red-eye Pen
  • Tissue Paper Or A White Filter
  • Scanner
  • Flash Diffuser
  • Image-editing Software

Fixing red-eye

Step1
Purchase a special pen that reduces red-eye from a photography shop. Draw over the red-eye on your photographic prints to reduce the red-eye effect.
Step2
Or scan the picture into your computer and use image-editing software to fix the red-eye. Most such programs have a feature especially designed for this purpose. You can remove the spinach caught in your subject's teeth while you're at it.
Step3
Bring the photograph to a photo-editing shop if you do not have a scanner and image-editing software.

Preventing red-eye

Step1
Try to put distance between the camera's lens and flash to reduce red-eye. If possible, hold the flash an arm's length from the camera or point the flash toward a white surface, such as a wall, so the flash does not flood the subject's eyes.
Step2
If the flash is immobile, reduce the size of the subject's pupils by turning on bright lights or by shining a bright light briefly in the person's eyes prior to taking the picture.
Step3
Use the red-eye reduction feature available on many cameras. This feature constricts the pupils with a series of low-level flashes prior to taking the picture.
Step4
Put tissue paper or a white filter over the flash to diffuse its brightness. The tissue paper shouldn't come into direct contact with the hot flashbulb. Some camera shops sell flash diffusers.

Tips & Warnings

  • Pictures taken indoors or at sunset are more susceptible to red-eye because pupils dilate to adjust to the lowlight conditions.
  • For more photography tips, see How to Improve Your Photography Techniques.
  • The multiple flashes of red-eye reduction cause a brief delay in the taking of the picture and may increase the chances that your subject will blink.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 If you use a green smudge-proof pen/marker, it works just as well as a red-eye pen. The green somehow works to remove the red.

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eHow Article:  How to Get Rid of Red-Eye in Photographs

eHow Electronics Editor

eHow Electronics Editor

Category: Electronics

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