How to take a usable iris photo for AI iridology

Frame: one eye filling the frame from upper eyelid to lower eyelid, with the iris and pupil clearly visible at the centre. Both eyes in the same photo is acceptable but harder to read precisely; one eye per photo is the cleaner option.

Focus: the iris must be in sharp focus. Modern phone cameras auto-focus on the closest subject by default, but if the camera focuses on eyelashes or eyebrows instead, the iris reading will be impossible. Tap the iris on the phone screen to force-focus on it.

Lighting: even daylight is ideal. Direct sun causes squinting and pupil constriction (which obscures the inner-iris zones). Indoor overhead lighting tends to cause reflective glare in the centre of the iris that obscures the constitutional zone. The best lighting is near a north-facing window or in open shade outdoors.

Distance: 10-15 cm from the eye is the standard for iris photography. Closer than that and the camera cannot focus; further than that and the iris detail is lost. Some phone cameras have macro modes that handle the close distance better; most modern phones default to a normal-distance mode that works at 10-15 cm.

Avoid flash: phone-camera flash causes pupil constriction and creates a bright reflective spot in the centre of the iris. The reflection obscures the constitutional zone which is the most-important zone in iridology readings. If the room is too dark, find more daylight; do not use flash.

Step 1: find a north-facing window or move outdoors to even daylight. Stand facing the light source so the eye you are photographing is well-lit but not directly looking into the sun.

Step 2: open the camera app on your phone. If you have a separate macro mode, switch to it. Otherwise the default photo mode is fine.

Step 3: hold the phone 10-15 cm from your eye, with the iris filling the frame. Use the front camera while watching the screen, or have someone else hold the phone using the rear camera.

Step 4: tap the iris on the phone screen to force-focus on it. Wait for the focus indicator to confirm the iris is sharp.

Step 5: keep your eye open and looking straight at the camera. The pupil should be visible at the centre of the iris. If you blink during the shot, the eyelashes will obscure the iris; retake the photo.

Step 6: take 5-10 photos at slightly different angles and lighting. Review them and select the sharpest one with the clearest iris detail. Upload that photo for the reading.

Blurry iris: the most-common problem. Fix by tapping the iris on the screen to force-focus, and by holding the phone steady (or bracing your hand against your face).

Reflective glare in the centre: caused by overhead lighting or flash. Move to north-window daylight or open shade. Do not use flash.

Pupil too constricted: the inner iris is obscured because the pupil is too small. Move to a slightly darker setting (the pupil will dilate) and shoot again; or wait for the pupil to fully dilate after coming inside from bright sun.

Eyelashes in the frame: angle the phone so the upper eyelashes do not cast shadow onto the iris. Looking slightly upward can help raise the lashes out of the iris view.

Not enough detail visible: usually a lighting problem. Brighter daylight or a brighter indoor location with even (not direct overhead) light will reveal iris detail that dim conditions obscure.