How to Prevent Red-Eye in Photos

Red eye can ruin an otherwise great photo. And although it’s a pretty neat phenomena, most people try to avoid looking like a demon in their photos.

Great news: You won’t have to worry about red eye ruining any more family photos (it’s hard enough to wrangle the whole crew). We did some research to help you prevent the dreaded red eye and make your photos look better in the process.

Check out these three tips to keep your photos beautiful and red eye-free:

1. Let the light in.

When the area around you is dim or dark, your pupils become more dilated, which lets more light in. When the flash of the camera enters your eye it reflects off of your retina, which causes your eyes to “glow.” The red color is caused by the blood in your connective tissues, which supports the retina. By lightening the room, your pupils will take in less of that troublesome light.

2. Avert your eyes.

If you look slightly away from the lens, there’s a better chance the light from your camera will miss your retina, resulting in a red eye-free photo.

3. Look at something bright.

If there’s a light nearby, or a light-colored object, stare at it for a few seconds right before the picture is taken. Light colors constrict your pupils, which mean there will be less room for light to enter. This is why most newer cameras have two flashes; one for your eyes to adjust, and one to provide light for the photo.

4. Fix it later.

If all else fails, there are a few different ways to get rid of red eye. Many smartphones have built-in editing systems with red eye remover. If that’s a luxury your phone doesn’t provide, try downloading one of many apps.

If you notice that you have just one red eye in photos, or if your eye reflects a color other than red, you should contact your local eye doctor for a checkup. If it happens consistently throughout many photos, it could be a sign of an underlying eye issue.

Sources:

http://www.allaboutvision.com/resources/red-eye-photo.htm