Setting up a self-taken passport photo

[erick_kyogoku]

I'd like to set up a shot for my own passport photo as my last one was terrible. It'll be useful to have an

updated ID photo anyhow, so I'd like to get it right.

 

I generally don't take portrait photos, so how would you recommend I set this up? Can I rent a

background to conform with US passport standards? (What type of backdrop do I ask for?) How can I set

this up at home? Or can I just go to some place that makes passport photos and bring along my own

camera?

 

I have a Canon 5D and a bunch of lenses, tripod, etc. and if they can use dinky polaroids for passport

photos I imagine this will do. I have a Speedlight 380EX, with Stoffen Omni bounce. Thanks.

[michaelging]

I took a photo of a traveling companion 2 weeks ago,on the patio of a Starbucks.You just have to follow the requirements for size and background. Here is the web site.

 

http://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/guide_2081.html

[beno_t_marchal]

You must follow strict (but very easy to apply) lighting and posing rules. In many ways,

passport photography is the exact opposite of portraiture: you have to follow a strict set

of rules and you cannot build the image around your subject.

 

I live in Belgium but I understand the passport photography rules are now international.

The background must be white (a large piece of paper is perfect), well lit. You must light

the subject from the front, almost in camera axis. The subject must look squarely at the

photo.

Since you only have one light, you might want to use it to light the background and use

ambiant light for yourself.

 

Administrations publish set of guidelines, google on "passport photography" and you'll

find them.

 

I do all my passport photography, as well as my famillies but frankly the results are not

significantly better than what you get at a photographer. The only difference is that the

subject is more relaxed, otherwise there are so many rules to follow that you cannot

design the photo to suit the subject.

 

One last tip : if printing at home, you must print on photographic paper. Most civil

servants are very reluctant to accept "printed at home" passport photos because they

assume you have not done your homework and have not followed the rules.

I use a simple trick: I print on glossy paper and I insert the print in one of the "passport

photo sleeve" from a local photog so they assume it was done professionally.

 

BTW my girlfriend once "escaladated" the "printed at home" issue because the civil servant

refused the photo since it was printed on (top quality, 100% coton rag) matte paper. The

rules in the book say : "photo paper" and coton paper is photo paper. So the person in

charge promptly agreed to accept the photo.

Still, it's easier to print on glossy and save the discussion.

 

--ben

[michaelging]

Here is the exact download for how to do it.I just took the person in open shade , and had them stand about 4 ft in front of a white wall.

 

http://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/download/download_884.html

[richard_cochran]

They suggest a 3-light setup like this (borrowed from their on-line brochure).

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<center><img src="http://travel.state.gov/images/setup.jpg"></center>

</p>

That setup is an easy way to get nice even lighting that looks natural, with no objectionable shadows, and a pure white background. But there's a fair bit of wiggle room.

<p>

I took my own photo, using exactly the setup described. Two 60" umbrellas and a small background light. I used a white wall of my home as the backdrop.

<p>

If I didn't have the lights, I might try doing it outdoors in open shade, perhaps using a white piece of foamcore for the background.

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I know a lot of people who have done DIY passport and immigration photos. The officials don't seem to be so concerned about the details of the lighting, as long as things are evenly lit, there are no obvious objectionable shadows, and the background is white. But the guidelines about the size and composition are pretty rigid, and easier for the officials to measure against.

[mark_man]

Hate to pour cold water...but the authorities seem to prefer bad passport photos, at least in the UK! You're not allowed to smile, for instance, have to pin hair behind your ears etc. Basically, your photo needs to look like you just got off a long-haul flight so they can tell it's you and not the handsome chap you would otherwise have them believe...

[erick_kyogoku]

I just wanted to say thank you for the replies. I think the foam core will work nicely, and it

now seems like an entirely "doable" project for me.

[erick_kyogoku]

Just an afterthought: I do have an off-camera shoe cord for the Speedlight (with

omnibounce). Given that I won't be putting the flash directly on the shoe, where should I

place it? And should the flash face directly at me or should I just tilt it away and let the

omnibouce diffuse the light?