RED EYE - Those Blood Shot Eyes In Your Photographs
Apr 26 '00 (Updated Jul 04 '00)
If you are familiar with taking photos, periodically you will discover some of your subjects appear to have demonic red eyes. Are your subjects possessed by some demon? In this review I will explain why red-eye occurs, how to avoid red-eye and what you can do you eliminate red-eye from your photographs.
WHAT CAUSES RED-EYE?
The built-in flash on all 35mm point and shoot cameras is located too close to the lens axis. Light travels in straight lines. The angle in which your flash fires is very close to the angle of your lens. This narrow angle causes red-eye. Red-eye tends to occur when using the telephoto lenses.
Subjects with light colored eyes are more prone to red-eye due to the fact that they have little light-absorbing pigment in their pupils.
Single Lens Reflex Camera Users - You may notice a higher incident of red-eye when using telephoto lenses. This is due to the fact that the telephoto lens narrows the effective range between the lens and flash.
WHY IS IT RED?
What you are actually seeing is the reflection of the light bouncing off the blood vessels of the retina inside the eye.
HOW CAN I PREVENT RED-EYE
Increase the ambient light level in the room. Situate subjects near light sources such as lamps, overhead lights, etc. This will cause your subjects pupils to close down and thus reduce the likelihood of red-eye problems.
Do not wave a favorite toy to get children to look at the camera. This will cause the pupils of their eyes to dilate.
Have subjects look at your forehead when taking photos. Your subjects will still look like they are staring right into your camera. This approach changes the angle of light.
If your camera has a Red-eye Reduction feature, turn it on. Remember though, this will reduce; not totally eliminate red-eye. Gently press the shutter button half way until you get a flash confirmation/charge signal. Then take the photo.
Ideally, if you have an SLR camera with an external flash with a swivel head, bounce the flash head at 45 degrees. Moving the flash as far away from the lens axis is better. You can use a Stroboframe™ and fire the flash off the camera.
WHAT CAN I DO FOR PHOTOS THAT SHOWS RED-EYE
Simple! Most camera stores sell "Red-Eye" pens in which you can dot out red-eye. You can also use artists ink to hide the red-eye. Make sure you have steady hands when trying to mask the red-eye. If you use this approach, dab the center part of the pupil and work your way outwards.
Addendum June 7, 2000 - Girlfriday1 requested that I put my comments on this review about these "Red Eye Reduction Pens" that you will find at your local photofinishers. OK, Here it is.
As a photographer, I NEVER touch those red eye reduction pens. Stay away from them. Why? The average snap shooter will not know how to use this pen correctly. I used to use India ink with a strand of hair to dot out the 'red' eye. It is tedious and you must have steady hands to do a great job.
So what do I use to eliminate red eye? I scan the photo into my computer. Using Photo Shop Adobe, I measure the correct diameter of the pupil and blot it out. The final print will not even indicate there was a red-eye problem!
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