 Anita Taylor |
Reducing Red Eye I have heard or read somewhere that by taking a picture of a person or group at an angle while they are looking ahead, or having them look off to the side of the camera while you shoot straight on, will reduce red-eye. Does anyone know if this really works?
|
|
|
|
||
|
robert G. Fately |
Red-eye is the reflection of the light directly off the subject's retinas (which are red with blood vessels). So, whether you will get red-eye depends on a bunch of things: the distance of the flash tube from the axis of the taking lens, the distance you are from your subjects, the diameter of their pupils when you take the shot (which, of course, depends on how dark it is), as well as the direction in which they are looking. It is certainly likely that red-eye will be reduced or eliminated if you tell your subject to look off to the side - again, depending on how dilated their pupils are. A better way might be to move the flash up a few inches (this is why pros often use flash brackets) as this will increase the angle of incidence from the tube to the retina and consequently the light reflecting off the retina will fall below the lens rather than go directly through it.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Anita Taylor |
Thank you for responding so quickly, Bob! That information is very helpful. I guess it would be worth it just to try a few shots and see what happens.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Courtney Lawyer |
If you have an external flash I would invest in a flash bracket. I have one and it works really well. Not only does it eliminate red eye but it also places the shadow from the subject lower. (because the light is higher the shadow lands lower than the subject so often you don't even see it. I wouldn't try having your subject look away to much because then all your pictures will begin to look the same. Engaging your subject through the eyes can be very powerful. I would sugest getting a flash bracket. If you want to know my preference on the different kinds you can e-mail me. (if you get a bracket you'll have to also get a cord to connect your flash to the camera. e-mail me with questions! -Courtney
|
|
|
|
||
|
Maverick Creatives |
I realize that this answer may sound unprofessional. I use speedlites for protrait work when not in the studio and I don't worry about red eye as it's so so easy to remove in photo editing programs now days. Gary
|
|
|
|
||
|
Courtney Lawyer |
Actually, I don't agree with Gary. Red eye removal in photo shop isn't as easy as it sounds. Most of the time Red eye ENLARGES the pupil. So not only is the pupil red but also alot of the actual color in the eye. The less pupil you see in portraits the better. And also removing every trace of red can be very difficult (I've removed red eye before)AND The more pictures you have to remove red eye in the more time you spend on it - the less time to spend on other things (like experimenting with artistic touches) You can only change so much in photoshop. the more you do right when you take the photo. The more time you save. -Courtney
|
|
|
|
||
|
Maverick Creatives |
Of course Courtney is correct, that's why I mentioned the word unprofessional. What's I'm trying to say is I use every trick I can including having the model close their eyes for a few moments before the shot, using a bounce shield, ect. ect. but in the end, if there is red eye, it's not the demon it used to be. Gary
|
|
|
|
||
|
Anita Taylor |
Thank you Courtney and Gary! I don't have an external flash yet, but plan on getting one soon. However, I do have a flash bracket! Didn't even know what it was for :) Got it with my dad's old camera....guess I should have asked LOL Courtney, just for reference, in case I purchase a better one in the future; what do you recommend for a flash bracket? You can email me, too, if it would be easier! Thank you all so much!
|
|
|
|
||
|
robert G. Fately |
Anita, the most popular flash brackets seem to be those from a company called Stroboframe. I'll sell you mine, though, as I replaced it with one from a company called Custom Brackets (the CB Junior) which, IMHO, is both better designed and built. One more thing - if you are using a flash that has communication with the camera body (a TTL type auto-flash) then you will need to get the proper cable connector so that communication can be maintained. This is something from the manufacturer only, and they aren't cheap...the Nikon cord was something like $40 or maybe more.
|
|
|
|
||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||