Working with digital images

[X_Anastasia_X]

Im not sure if this is the right place im in to ask this, but anyway. I use Olympus Camedia. Couple months ago, i took a picture of my friend. Her natural eyes are dark brown, almoust black, but on the picture they didnt only came out icy , crystal blue, but also with a changed pupil ( it became narrow).Reminded of cats eyes alot.
I asked people around, but no one knows. So i just wanted to know what actually caused this, and how can i get the same effect again?

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi Anastasia,

Welcome to Digicamhelp. You're right, that is strange.  

A whole lot of factors including camera settings, angle the shot was taken, ambient lighting, etc. played into how the eyes appear in the photo. I have a theory, though, about those eyes.

Most digital cameras have a red-eye reduction mode which emits a series of rapid pre-flashes before the full flash goes off. The pre-flashes help reduce the reflection in a subject's eyes by causing a subject's pupils to contract. So if you use red-eye reduction flash mode, your friend's eyes contracted, adding to the look in that picture.

I've taken quite a few photos where the flash has made the subject's eyes look pretty strange. I'm not sure the "cat eye" look can be intentionally repeated again.


Related reading:

Prevention and removal of red-eye
http://www.digicamhelp.com/digital-photography-tips/red-eye-removal.htm