An automatic red-eye detection and reduction system is described. The automatic red-eye detection and reduction system includes a red-eye detector that detects if an image contains a red pupil without user intervention. The red-eye detector detects location and size of the red pupil if the image is detected to contain the red pupil. The automatic red-eye detection and reduction system also includes a red-eye reduction system that is coupled to the red-eye detector to change each red color pixel within the red pupil into a predetermined color such that color of the red pupil can be detected and changed without user intervention. A method of automatically detecting and reducing red-eye effect in a digital image is also described.