2. Demon eyes
Pitfall explanation
In this photo (cropped from the original), the expression on the kid's face is mesmerising and definitely makes the shot a photo-album candidate. Unfortunately, it's marred by that demon-deer-in-the-headlights look that plagues flash photos shot with compact cameras -- the result of locating the flash too close to the lens. Furthermore, light-eyed folks are far more susceptible to red-eye than the rest of us. So if you have a compact camera and a family full of Nordic types, you're looking at a flash massacre.
Can this photo be saved?
Probably. Many consumer image-editing software packages include automatic red-eye removal, but I'm never really satisfied with the results, especially for blue eyes and the eyes of animals.
How can I avoid this problem?
Tip 1: Lighten your surroundings. You don't need enough light to shoot without the flash, just enough so that your subject's pupils constrict before the flash goes off.
Tip 2: Use your camera's red-eye-reduction mode. This essentially sends out a burst of light before the flash to (hopefully) constrict the subject's pupils. Some work better than others.
Tip 3: Change your angle. Don't shoot someone's face dead-on; move to a slight angle, and that should decrease the intensity of the red-eye.
Tip 4: Dial down the flash. You don't necessarily need a blinding flash to get a good exposure. If your camera supports flash exposure compensation or simply a couple of intensity level options, cut back on the intensity. It won't eliminate red-eye, but it should decrease how vivid it looks.
Which cameras handle these scenes best?
What it takes: Preflash red-eye reduction can be hit-or-miss; ditto for in-camera features such as red-eye removal. The only way to absolutely prevent it is to have sufficient separation between the flash and the lens. A good pop-up flash or an add-on flash are the only ways to go.
Suggested models:
Pitfall explanation
In this photo (cropped from the original), the expression on the kid's face is mesmerising and definitely makes the shot a photo-album candidate. Unfortunately, it's marred by that demon-deer-in-the-headlights look that plagues flash photos shot with compact cameras -- the result of locating the flash too close to the lens. Furthermore, light-eyed folks are far more susceptible to red-eye than the rest of us. So if you have a compact camera and a family full of Nordic types, you're looking at a flash massacre.
Can this photo be saved?
Probably. Many consumer image-editing software packages include automatic red-eye removal, but I'm never really satisfied with the results, especially for blue eyes and the eyes of animals.
How can I avoid this problem?
Tip 1: Lighten your surroundings. You don't need enough light to shoot without the flash, just enough so that your subject's pupils constrict before the flash goes off.
Tip 2: Use your camera's red-eye-reduction mode. This essentially sends out a burst of light before the flash to (hopefully) constrict the subject's pupils. Some work better than others.
Tip 3: Change your angle. Don't shoot someone's face dead-on; move to a slight angle, and that should decrease the intensity of the red-eye.
Tip 4: Dial down the flash. You don't necessarily need a blinding flash to get a good exposure. If your camera supports flash exposure compensation or simply a couple of intensity level options, cut back on the intensity. It won't eliminate red-eye, but it should decrease how vivid it looks.
Which cameras handle these scenes best?
What it takes: Preflash red-eye reduction can be hit-or-miss; ditto for in-camera features such as red-eye removal. The only way to absolutely prevent it is to have sufficient separation between the flash and the lens. A good pop-up flash or an add-on flash are the only ways to go.
Suggested models:
 Canon PowerShot S2 IS Read review |
 Casio Exilim Pro EX-P505 Read review |
 Canon Powershot G6 Read review |
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Sergei Plishka
11/02/2006 01:21 PM
If you do notice a reflective surface in the background, simply take the shot at an angle to the surface so that flash reflects away from the camera instead of right back at it.
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