How to prevent the red-eye effect in photographs

Red-eye effect is when a person's eyes have a flash of red discoloration in a photograph. This is caused by the camera's flash hitting the eye' s retina or if the person's iris doesn't have enough time to contract before the picture is done being taken. This can easily be prevented with camera technique or corrected with computer software.

Things You'll Need

• Camera with or without flash

Instructions

1. 

   If you are using a flash try to angle the flash upward so that it is not flashing directly into the person's eyes.

2. If there is enough light in the room to take the picture without a flash then don't use one. Not using a flash at all will eliminate the red-eye effect.

3. Most automated cameras have an anti-red eye function in which the camera flashes a few times before taking the picture allowing the iris to contract down before the camera finally takes a picture.

4. 

   If you develop a picture that has the red-eye effect in a subject's eyes you can still take care of it. Hobby stores or online craft supply shops sell a red-eye remover marker. You simply dab the marker gently onto the affected area of the photo and let it dry.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are taking digital pictures you can upload your pictures into your computer and edit out red-eye very easily with a number of picture editing programs.