Take the Red Eye

Take it out, that is. 

You've seen it. That scary looking, annoying effect in many of our flash pics. It's caused by light reflecting from the back of the eye. It shows up when the source of the flash is almost in line with the center of the optics. 

Different things can reduce it. Preflash to close down the iris and limit how big a red reflection you get. Many photo manipulation programs allow you to remove it, either by filling in the eye with a color automatically or by you changing it pixel by pixel.

Better than reducing it or removing is to not get it in the first place. How? Removing the flash from the center line of the optics. Instead of using the built in flash, use an accessory flash. Sometimes just that few inches of extra height in the flash will make the difference. Use an extension synch cord if available for your camera and flash combo, extending the flash out to the side or over the top. Bounce flash works, too, but remember you can't bounce off of nothing. A low, light colored ceiling works best. Also remember the angles when bouncing. (A future post will go into detail about bounce flash.)

So, have fun on that red eye flight to Aruba. But don't take red eye portrait pics!