David A wrote:
I got  a ring flash a while back.  I've only used it a couple times.  A couple days ago I some red eye when using it.  The other time I used it I didn't have a problem with red eye.

So, I guess I'm wondering if there's something in my use of it that made the difference.  Maybe a difference in the models eyes?  Maybe a difference in existing light sources and the pupil size?

Someone more experienced than me with a ringflash chime up.  BTW, if it matters, it's a hensel ringflash hooked to a porty.

Thanks

were you farther away the second time?

David A wrote:
I got  a ring flash a while back.  I've only used it a couple times.  A couple days ago I some red eye when using it.  The other time I used it I didn't have a problem with red eye.

So, I guess I'm wondering if there's something in my use of it that made the difference.  Maybe a difference in the models eyes?  Maybe a difference in existing light sources and the pupil size?

Someone more experienced than me with a ringflash chime up.  BTW, if it matters, it's a hensel ringflash hooked to a porty.

Thanks

RF's are known for red eye. Lighter skinned (blondes) usally get it much easier. Since mine does not have a modeling light, I use some other constant light source near me to constrict the models pupils. Other than that, it's PS.

Christopher Bush wrote:
were you farther away the second time?

lol, yes I was.  Was that it?  Further away the angle to the eyes is more direct, closer its a greater angle so no red eye.

Like I said, I haven't worked with it much yet.

Merle wrote:
RF's are known for red eye. Lighter skinned (blondes) usally get it much easier. Since mine does not have a modeling light, I use some other constant light source near me to constrict the models pupils. Other than that, it's PS.

It's good to know it's not just me.  I tried getting another light source on her eyes so they'd constrict but it didn't appear to work.

David A wrote:

lol, yes I was.  Was that it?  Further away the angle to the eyes is more direct, closer its a greater angle so no red eye.

Like I said, I haven't worked with it much yet.

the father away, the more on-axis the light is (more chance of red-eye).

David A wrote:

It's good to know it's not just me.  I tried getting another light source on her eyes so they'd constrict but it didn't appear to work.

It's the nature of the beast...the RF is an 'on board' flash, so while the effect is cool, the baggage comes along with it. One model I shot with looked like the devil no matter what (thanks to CS2's redeye remover, they were very usable), others, nothing. So I now always have a backup lighting plan when I'm planning on the RF. I imagine you digging your Porty...I have the same setup.

Merle wrote:
I imagine you digging your Porty...I have the same setup.

I'm totally loving it.  I wanted a second head for it when I bought it and for $425 more I could get the ring flash.  I thought, why not, then I can use it as a ring flash but there's no reason I've got to shoot through it all the time so I can use it as  the second head.  I got the octabox that goes on the ringflash too.  Haven't played with it much either.  Note to self, get more models in the studio. lol.

Thanks again for your comments.

Gunfitr wrote:
Put a light on a stand directly behind you (like a 100 watt bulb) so that the model is looking directly at it as she looks to the camera, that will help constrict the pupils.

Mark

Mark,  Thanks for the tip.

David A wrote:
I got the octabox that goes on the ringflash too.

Were did you get the octabox? Last time I looked I couldn't find one in the US.

Merle wrote:

Were did you get the octabox? Last time I looked I couldn't find one in the US.

Samy's Camera.  www.samys.com

I had some questions about the gear before I bought it so called one of the reps listed at henselusa.com and he recommended I buy through samys.

David A wrote:

Samy's Camera.  www.samys.com

I had some questions about the gear before I bought it so called one of the reps listed at henselusa.com and he recommended I buy through samys.

Thanks David!

Merle wrote:

Were did you get the octabox? Last time I looked I couldn't find one in the US.

Here's the salesperson that I worked with at Samy's.  I was specifically recommended to use him by the Hensel Rep. - Frank Schlegel (323) 938-2420.

Have fun.

David A wrote:
I got  a ring flash a while back.  I've only used it a couple times.  A couple days ago I some red eye when using it.  The other time I used it I didn't have a problem with red eye.

So, I guess I'm wondering if there's something in my use of it that made the difference.  Maybe a difference in the models eyes?  Maybe a difference in existing light sources and the pupil size?

Someone more experienced than me with a ringflash chime up.  BTW, if it matters, it's a hensel ringflash hooked to a porty.

Thanks

I have the same ringflash for my Hensel, and it doesn't matter, it works just like the Profoto ringflash which I often rent. It has mainly to do with the ambient light in the room. If you flash the models without enough ambient light to close their pupils down you'll get red eye. And it's REALLY uncomfortable for the model to be flashed so strongly from the front in a dark room. And what's worse, most ringflashes don't have a modelling lamp to help with this, so you've got to have some other source of light shining on the model's face. It doesn't have to be particularly strong, just something to close their pupil's down and not "shock" their eyes with the big flash comes from the front.

I assume you know what causes red eye vis a vis ringflash usage, but for the rest of the class, the reason you're liable to get red eye with ringflash is because, light the on-camera flash on an amateur compact camera, the flash is very close to the lens axis, so you're illuminating the blood vessels in the back of the retina of the eyes.

Marko Cecic-Karuzic wrote:
If you flash the models without enough ambient light to close their pupils down you'll get red eye. And it's REALLY uncomfortable for the model to be flashed so strongly from the front in a dark room. And what's worse, most ringflashes don't have a modelling lamp to help with this, so you've got to have some other source of light shining on the model's face. It doesn't have to be particularly strong, just something to close their pupil's down and not "shock" their eyes with the big flash comes from the front.

The ambient light was very low a couple days ago and it wasn't the other time.  Thanks for the alternate light source tip.

Marko Cecic-Karuzic wrote:
I assume you know what causes red eye vis a vis ringflash usage, but for the rest of the class, the reason you're liable to get red eye with ringflash is because, light the on-camera flash on an amateur compact camera, the flash is very close to the lens axis, so you're illuminating the blood vessels in the back of the retina of the eyes.

My wife worked for an optometrist (spelling?) in college.   When I mentioned red eye the model said she got red eye all the time.  That was a concern to my wife because she said there's a form of eye cancer that shows as red eye. (when red eye wouldn't normally be expected).  Anyways, she chilled when I told her it was only the pics with the ringflash and not all of them.

But, if anyone has a model that get's red eye when they shouldn't, you might want to mention they might want to visit an optometrist.

David A wrote:

Marko Cecic-Karuzic wrote:
If you flash the models without enough ambient light to close their pupils down you'll get red eye. And it's REALLY uncomfortable for the model to be flashed so strongly from the front in a dark room. And what's worse, most ringflashes don't have a modelling lamp to help with this, so you've got to have some other source of light shining on the model's face. It doesn't have to be particularly strong, just something to close their pupil's down and not "shock" their eyes with the big flash comes from the front.

The ambient light was very low a couple days ago and it wasn't the other time.  Thanks for the alternate light source tip.


My wife worked for an optometrist (spelling?) in college.   When I mentioned red eye the model said she got red eye all the time.  That was a concern to my wife because she said there's a form of eye cancer that shows as red eye. (when red eye wouldn't normally be expected).  Anyways, she chilled when I told her it was only the pics with the ringflash and not all of them.

But, if anyone has a model that get's red eye when they shouldn't, you might want to mention they might want to visit an optometrist.

Wow, you learn something new every day. I've honestly never heard of that...

Merle wrote:

RF's are known for red eye. Lighter skinned (blondes) usally get it much easier. Since mine does not have a modeling light, I use some other constant light source near me to constrict the models pupils. Other than that, it's PS.

disagree about the lighter skiined blonde point. It's usually those with lighteyes that get the redeye from the flash. Lighterskin has nothing to do with it.

JBPhoto wrote:
People with blue or light green eyes will most likely get it.  I only use it indoors on people with brown eyes...or dark glasses.

exactly. although. surprisenly I have seen redeye in brown eyes too. that threw me for a loop. but in the majority of cases it is common with light eyes. it's like a cat when you take a picture. it has something to do with how the light is reflected off of the iris.

i have seen pictures of myself with that same effect.

someone one mentioned of a possible cancer. i doubt this because redeye is very common and has existed in the photogra0phy world for decades. my camera has a setting to prevent redeye. but i'm not sure if it is compatible with a ringflash that is niot dedicated to it.


I know of a student at the art school that i attend had this problem with a model that she shot. i told her that it was the ring flash. she went into photoshop and got rid of the red but the pupil were wide open. made the model look like she was possesed