Red-eye is
biggest problem flash photographers face with both digital and film cameras. The good news is that there are a few easy tricks that can significantly and sometimes even completely reduce effects of red-eye. Here's a few of simple tricks that I've discovered that make my pictures worth mounting on wall.
What is red-eye?
The simplest explanation I've come across is that red-eye is reflection of light, in our case flash, through open retina of eye. We've all seen it's effects in glowing red eyes of animals, kids and adults that have been captured on film using flash photography.
So, if we know it happens... what do we do to limit it's effect or, if possible, make it go away?
The pro's use long brackets and remote controlled flash units to angle light away from camera lens. If you have money, this is by far best and most reliable way to reduce problem. Trouble is, most of us (myself included) don't have resources or space to carry around this type of equipment. I like that my latest digital camera fits in my shirt or jacket pocket. That way I always have it with me if a special shot presents itself.
How can you easily limit or prevent red-eye effects with a pocket or instant camera?
Easy tip #1: Many of today's mid to upper price instamatic cameras come with a built in red-eye reduction mode. If you know you are going to be photographing animals or people with flash, even in daylight, then turn on this flash mode. Of course this is where you must have actually read camera manual so that you know how to turn it on. After all, you can't use it if you don't 1, know it exists and 2, know how to use it.
It amazed me different modes and functions built into my latest camera. But, that's a whole other subject. Bottom line, at least read your manual once to see what capabilities you are carrying with you with just camera itself.
How red-eye reduction mode works:
Again, I'll keep it as simple as possible. After all, we don't need to know all scientific details, we just need to know how to use it correctly.
The red-eye reduction mode (and that's all it does is make it less) either shines a bright light on subject or it sets off a small pre-flash ahead of main one. What this does is to make person or animal close down iris in eye so that less light will be reflected back into camera lens through smaller hole.
Not perfect, but much better than glowing red eyes!
But, what if our camera doesn't have this option or if we don't have time or knowledge to turn it on?
Easy tip #2: When in control of situation, use that control. What I mean is that if you have capability to pose and move subject(s), then use that control to reduce effects of red-eye. Since we know that red-eye is caused by light reflecting back into camera lens, have your subjects look at a point away from camera, maybe a picture off to side on wall behind you or at another person. The key here is that larger angle away from lens, less possible effect of red-eye.
