Your subjects are vulnerable to red eye in dimly lit rooms when their pupils are open wide. The effect is actually caused by the light from the flash bouncing off the retina and being reflected back into the picture-taking lens. Point-and-shoot cameras are notorious for causing red eye, because the flash is so close to the lens; this makes for a perfect alignment to catch the reflection from the retina.

Even though many cameras provide a setting to reduce red eye, they don't always work well and actually can be irritating to both subject and photographer. Instead, try following these suggestions when shooting in low light:

• Have the model look directly at a light source, such as a lamp, before taking the shot. This will constrict the pupils and reduce red eye.

• Turn up the room lights if possible.

• Shoot off to the side of the subject, or have the model look a little to the left or the right of the camera, not directly at the lens.

• Use an external flash mounted on a bracket. This is how wedding photographers cope with this problem. It works by changing the angle of reflection from the retina.

• Try an existing-light portrait, if the conditions are suitable.

If all else fails, you can touch up the photograph in an image editor after uploading it to your computer. It's not a perfect solution, but thanks to friendlier computer technology it's easier than it used to be.