Looking for a way to remove red-eye from your images in PHOTO-PAINT? Here's a PHOTO-PAINT technique that's both customizable and repeatable. Be aware that while some red-eye situations allow you to use the same technique, sometimes the problem isn't the same in both eyes, so you need to modify your approach for each eye. Below is a close-up of a face with a typical red-eye problem in PHOTO-PAINT.

To fix it, first make a duplicate copy of the image by clicking on Image: Duplicate Image. In this case, I named the file red-eye1.cpt. You'll use this new image for the retouching. You'll note that when you duplicate the image, it displays the image as full size on your screen.

In both the original and duplicate images, zoom in so you can see both red-eyes on your screen and display the images, one below the other. The reason you do this is for reference, especially when bringing color back into the eye after the redness has been removed.

Note: In many cases, you can fix both red-eye problems at once, but because these two are so different, you'll need to fix them separately. For the purposes of this tutorial, I'm only going to work on the right eye.

The first thing to do is to mask the eye. To do so, access the Brush Mask tool (or press "B" on your keyboard). Next, click on Mask: Marquee Visible (or press CTRL + H on your keyboard).

Use the Brush Mask tool to create a marquee around the affected area, enclosing as much of the red-eye as possible.

Next, click on Mask: Mask Outline: Feather. In the dialog box, choose a setting of one or two pixels, make sure Outside is selected under the directions popup, disable the preview and click on OK. This will widen your selection.

Next, click on Adjust: Desaturate. You may have to click on this a few times to get the effect you desire.

Now, click on Adjust: Brightness/Contrast/Intensity (or press CTRL + B on your keyboard). This dialog comes up with the default settings that you can adjust. When you're satisfied with your settings, click on OK.

Note: You might have to apply this effect a couple of times to get the results you desire. I did.

At this point you might want to expand the selection a bit for the final step, which is to add color back into the eye. To do so, click on Mask: Mask Outline: Grow. Take care not to apply this effect too much or the selection to expand into the surrounding areas of the eye.

The final step is to click on Adjust: Color Hue. In the resulting dialog box, make sure the Preview button is enabled and click on the different icons to add color back into your image. When you're satisfied, click on OK and your changes will be applied. Toggle CTRL + H to remove the marquee and you're done.

© Nathan Segal

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