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How to Remove Red Eye From a Photo
Annika Jansen
How do you remove red eyes from a photo?
Red eyes can easily be removed using editing software such as Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop or even built-in apps on your smartphone. Most programs have a specific 'red-eye removal' tool where you simply click on the red pupils to correct them. This way you can restore a natural look to your portrait photo.
When do red eyes occur?
When you take a photo with flash in a dark environment, your subject's pupils dilate to capture more light. The flash fires extremely quickly after pressing the button and reflects off the blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eye. Because the flash is often located close to the lens (as with compact cameras or smartphones), the light bounces straight back into the lens. The result? Red eyes in your photos.
This phenomenon occurs most often in people with light-colored eyes and in situations with little ambient light. In well-lit rooms or when using an external flash, where the angle is different, the chances are much lower. Animals can also suffer from red or sometimes bright yellow eyes in photos, which is related to the structure of their eyes.
Quickly remove red eyes with apps (mobile)
Taking a beautiful portrait photo with your smartphone is easier than ever these days. But often after taking the photo, that familiar problem still appears: red eyes. Fortunately, thanks to smart apps on your smartphone, you don't need to perform complicated edits to fix this quickly. Whether you use an iPhone, iPad or Android device, within a few taps you can restore a natural look to your portrait.
For iOS (iPhone & iPad)
iPhone and iPad users have it easy. Apple's built-in Photos app offers a built-in feature to correct red eyes. Simply open the photo in question, tap 'Edit' and select the 'Red-eye' tool. Then tap on the eyes you want to correct and the app does the rest. This feature works surprisingly well for most portraits and is ideal for quick edits on the go.
Want a little more control or are you working with more complex lighting situations? Then you can search the App Store for handy editing apps such as Adobe Photoshop Express or RetouchMe. These apps offer advanced tools that allow you to not only remove red eyes, but also tackle other minor imperfections, without needing any experience in photo editing.
For Android smartphones
For Android smartphones
Many Android smartphones, such as those from Samsung and Google, have an automatic red-eye removal feature built into the default gallery app.
- Open the desired photo, tap 'edit' and look for an option such as 'correct eyes' or 'remove red eyes'.
- If this doesn't work or the feature is missing, there are excellent alternatives in the Google Play Store, such as Pixlr, AirBrush or Photoshop Express.
- These apps are user-friendly and offer automatic corrections that quickly and subtly remove the red glow, without making your photo look unnatural.
- With just a few taps you can bring your portrait photos back to life, wherever you are, without being bothered by unwanted details.
Removing red eyes on desktop
Below we show you how to restore natural-looking eyes in just a few steps.
With Adobe Photoshop
Working with Adobe Photoshop? Then you have everything you need to correct red eyes accurately and quickly. Open the photo and select the "Red Eye Tool" from the toolbar. This is often hidden under the bandage icon. Then simply click on the red pupil in the image.
Photoshop automatically recognizes the problem area and adjusts the color to a natural eye color. For a more precise result, you can adjust the size of the tool so that you only edit the red zones. Within just a few clicks, those distracting pupils are a thing of the past.
With free alternatives
Even without Photoshop you can remove red eyes perfectly well. Programs such as GIMP (available for Windows, macOS and Linux) offer a similar feature. In GIMP you use the magic wand tool to select the red part of the pupil. You can then reduce the saturation or color the area with dark grey or black to restore the eye color.
Another accessible option is Paint.NET, a user-friendly image editing app for Windows. Optionally install a free plug-in that automatically detects and corrects red eyes. For Mac users, Photos, the default photo editor, is a convenient choice. There you'll also find a simple tool to remove red eyes under the 'Retouch' tab.
Correcting red eyes doesn't have to be a complicated task. With just a few minutes of work you can give your portrait photos a natural and fresh look, ready to share or print.
Removing red eyes with online tools (without installation)
Nowadays there are also various online tools that allow you to quickly and easily remove red eyes without any installation, right in your web browser.
Websites such as Fotor, Pixlr or Photopea offer user-friendly features to adjust red eyes directly. You simply upload your photo, select the red-eye tool and then click on the area of the eyes. Within a few seconds the problem is solved. The great thing is: you don't need to download anything, and they also work on your smartphone or tablet.
These online solutions are not only convenient for beginners, but also ideal when you're on the go or don't have your own computer at hand. This way you can quickly edit that one holiday snap before sharing it with friends or family. Moreover, some of these websites also give you the option to apply other minor edits, such as cropping or adjusting the exposure.
When choosing an online tool, do make sure you use a reliable website. Check that your photos are not shared publicly and that the site handles your data securely. That way you can confidently give your most beautiful moments that little extra touch.
Having red eyes corrected automatically
Many modern cameras and photo editing programs have an automatic red-eye correction feature. This means your camera recognizes the red eyes directly during or after taking the photo and automatically adjusts them to a natural color. Ideal for those who want to shoot quickly and effortlessly, for example during a family party, concert or indoor photo shoot.
Tip: want to prevent red eyes while taking the photo? Turn off the flash if possible, use diffused light or choose a camera with a 'pre-flash' feature. But if it does happen, it's good to know that technology can quickly help you fix it. This leaves you more time for what really matters: capturing special moments.
How can you prevent red eyes in photography?
- Avoid direct flash, especially in dark environments where pupils are wide open.
- Use natural light or place additional lighting behind or beside the camera for softer illumination.
- Do you need to use flash? Then don't aim the flash directly at the face, but bounce the light off the ceiling or a white wall.
- By spreading the light instead of concentrating it, you reduce harsh reflections in the eye.
- Less intense light in the pupil means a lower chance of red eyes and more natural-looking portraits.
Do you often photograph people in the evening or indoors, for example at parties or family gatherings? Then it's worth investing in an external flash. You can use it separately from the camera and point it in a different direction. This creates a more natural light and prevents annoying red eyes.
