You are here:About>Computing & Technology>Graphics Software> Adobe Photoshop> Essential Tutorials> Fix, Correct, Repair Photos> Cosmetic Retouching> Remove Red Eye in Photoshop (any Version)
About.comGraphics Software
Red Eye Before & After Example
Red Eye Before & After Example (Right click and save for practicing this tutorial)
Newsletters & RSSEmail to a friendSubmit to Digg

How To Remove Red Eye in Photoshop (any Version)

From Sue Chastain,
Your Guide to Graphics Software.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
It's the perfect picture... except it's been ruined by those unsightly, glowing red eyes from camera flash. It's happened to us all; and fortunately, it's fairly easy to correct. Follow these simple steps to remove red eye from your photos using any version of Photoshop.

Watch an animated demonstration of how to remove redeye in Photoshop.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 5 minutes

Here's How:

  1. Open the image.
  2. Go to Image > Duplicate and close the original.
  3. In Photoshop 6 or earlier, go to View > New View. In Photoshop 7 go to Window > Documents > New Window. This will open a duplicate window of the same image.
  4. Zoom one of the windows so that you can see the eyes as large as possible. Set the other window view to 100%.
  5. Arrange the two windows so you can see both the zoomed view and the 100% view at the same time.
  6. Create a new layer.
  7. Use the eyedropper to pick up a color from the iris of the eye. It should be a fairly gray tint with a hint of the eye color.
  8. Paint over the red part of the eye on the new layer, being careful not to paint over the eyelids.
  9. Go to Filters > Blur > Gaussian and give it about a 1 pixel blur to soften the edges.
  10. Set the layer blend mode to Saturation. This will take the red out without removing the highlights, but in many cases it leaves the eyes too gray and hollow looking.
  11. If that's the case, duplicate the saturation layer and change the blend mode to Hue. That should put some color back in while still preserving the highlights.
  12. If the color is too strong after adding a Hue layer, lower the opacity of the Hue layer.
  13. When you're happy with the results you can merge the extra layers down.

Tips:

  1. If you need to darken the pupil area, use the burn tool. It should only take a couple of taps with the burn tool to darken the pupils.
  2. Before merging your layers, use the eraser tool to clean up any overspray from painting outsideof the iris.
  3. Watch an animated demonstration of how to remove redeye in Photoshop.
  4. This technique works in Photoshop 4 and up, including Photoshop LE and Photoshop Elements.
 All Topics | Email Article | | |
Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | HelpOur Story | Be a Guide
User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.