a scientific reason why White peoples have the "red eye" effect when taking pictures with a flashbulb camera

Question

I have noticed in many photographs that more often that white people tend to have the "red eye" effect. While many dark skinned people like Indians and other asians don't have that trait

here is an example

http://www.jhu.edu/~sirens/photos/2003/Sirens%202003.JPG

Answer 1

I think I know why it appears that way, people are right it is light eyes that seem to do that, because people with brown eyes the red is easily blended into the color of their eyes, and with say a blue eyed person the contrast is so great between red and blue it just is more noticeable

Answer 2

That is assuming white people have a different physiology than non-whites, and I agree with the first answerer, your methods of observation are flawed. Red eye is the action of light being reflected off the retina of the eye due to the speed at which a camera flash is operated and the iris not having the ability to properly dilate in time. This usually goes away by using the "red eye reduction" feature of many modern cameras, where a pre-flash series of flash pulses are fired just before the main flash, allowing proper dilation of the iris and preventing "red eye". Wearing glasses can also null the effects of red eye. Simple.

Answer 3

Umm...all individuals have the "red eye" effect it just may be more prodominent it white people. Have you changed your camera settings to take care of the red eyes most do have the ability.

Answer 4

The color of your skin doesn't make a difference. It has more to do with the color of your eyes. Think about it, most asians, indians, hispanics, and blacks have brown or black eyes.

The light of the flash occurs too fast for the iris of the eye to close the pupil. Light is focused onto the blood-rich retina at the back of the eye and the image of the illuminated retina is transmitted to the camera resulting in the red appearance of the eye on the photo. (This principle is used in the ophthalmoscope, a device designed to examine the retina.)

The effect is generally more pronounced in people with grey or blue eyes and in children. This is because pale irises have less melanin in them and so allow more light to pass through to the retina. Children, despite superficial appearances, do not have larger pupils but their pupils are more reactive to light and are able to open to the fullest extent in low light conditions.

Answer 5

Maybe the people you mention as having the "red eye" effect have old-fashioned cameras. I think your process of observation is flawed.

Answer 6

The red comes from the light reflecting off the camera to intensely. Usually more visable with people who have blue and green eyes. Dark skinned people tend to also have dark colored eyes so the colored part of the eye is not as easily seen but it will still happen to their photos too. (you just don't see it as much.)

Answer 7

umm my neighbor kids are asian and they always have red eye. Im not sure there is a "race" factor on red eye...that seems weird to me!

Answer 8

poll naughty pictures camera