How To Prevent Red-Eye in My Digital Pics?

[lawnguy]

Fellow Freepers:

I got a new Canon digital camera for Christmas, and I just can't keep the red-eye out of my pics.

The camera has a setting that is supposed to minimize it, but it doesn't seem to be working well.

I thought some of you might help out a fellow freeper with some suggestions.

Thank You!!

Gary in Kansas

[USNBandit]

If the flash setting doesn't do it then almost any editing software (including the free junk that comes with most cameras) will take it out.

[supercat]

In conventional photography, one thing that can help a lot is using indirect light rather than a direct flash. Unfortunately, many digital cameras don't provide any means for synchronizing a remote flash so you're stuck with what they provide.

One thing I'd really like to see would be a camera with two flashes on opposite sides of the lens. Moving the flash away from the lens can very effectively reduce red-eye, as well as adding some 'depth' to the subject, but can cause very ugly shadows if the background is moderately reflective but is not illuminated. I would think adding a small secondary flash on the opposite side of the lens could fill in the shadows without flattening things too much.

[Spruce]

Unfortunately you will need to use software to remove "red eye" from photos.

Happily most digital cameras are shipped with the necessary software.(Which is kind of 'hit-or-miss')

An old trick is to not have subjects look at the camera, but aim their eyes at the photographer's knees.

[Richard Kimball]

Red eye is caused by flash reflecting off the blood vessels in the eyes. The closer the flash is to the lens, the more red eye you'll get. You don't say what kind of camera you got, but the fix will depend upon the camera and the amount of effort you want to expend. The less flash you have to use, the less red eye, so try, whenever possible to use slower shutter speed and increase ambient lighting. If your flash swivels, you can also use bounce flash off the ceiling, so the flash isn't going directly into the eyes.

Oh, and take photographs of pretty girls on horses whenever possible.

[Spiff]

Here's a solution...

[lawnguy]

Oh, and take photographs of pretty girls on horses whenever possible.

Now that's what I call a very helpful suggestion.

I never thought the idea of being a horse would be so appealing ;)

[Lokibob]

The solution is fairly simple.

If you want a close up of your subject, back off 8 or 10 feet and zoom in on the face. This will reduce the flash lighting hitting the subject. In addition, a was said, have the subject look slightly away from the camera. Just 3 or 4" will make a difference without spoiling the picture.....Bob

[CarrotAndStick]

Have you tried playing with the flash intensity settings?

The most common method of solving the "red-eye" issue is by strobing the flash several times just before the shutter is released. What this does is that it contracts the pupils of the subjects' eyes, causing less light to bounce back from within the eyes.

Most cameras have three-level settings for the flash, usually a "low", "medium" and "high". Try setting it to "high", with the red-eye reduction feature enabled. If it doesn't work, play with the other levels of flash intensity.

[Thrownatbirth]

Only photograph subjects fresh out of rehab.