How to Get Rid of Red-Eye in Photographs

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.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

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

Fixing red-eye

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Bring the photograph to a photo-editing shop if you do not have a scanner and image-editing software.

Preventing red-eye

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.