DIY FR France ID card 35x45 mm (3.5x4.5 cm) Photos: Equipment and Setup

Requirements

• Camera type: use a digital camera with at least a 10-megapixel sensor to ensure sufficient image detail
• Lens focal length: choose a 50–85 mm portrait lens to avoid facial distortion and maintain natural proportions
• Tripod or mount: employ a sturdy, height-adjustable tripod to keep the camera level and eliminate motion blur
• Framing guide: apply a 35×45 mm overlay in your viewfinder or live-view software to precisely align head and shoulders
• Lighting setup: position two diffused light sources at 45° angles from the subject to create even, shadow-free illumination
• Background support: install a seamless white or light-grey backdrop that’s wrinkle-free and uniformly lit to prevent shadows
• Camera-subject distance: maintain approximately 5–2 m (5–6 ft) between camera and subject to minimize perspective distortion
• Eye-level alignment: adjust tripod so the camera’s optical axis is exactly at the subject’s eye height for a straight-on view
• White balance control: set manual white balance to 5500 K (daylight) and lock it to ensure consistent, natural skin tones
• Image format & export: shoot in RAW for maximum flexibility, then convert to high-quality JPEG at 300 dpi with minimal compression

Step-by-Step Process

• Equipment selection: choose a high-resolution digital camera (minimum 8 MP) with a 50–85 mm prime lens and mount it on a sturdy tripod to prevent blur and lens distortion.
• Background setup: install a seamless matte white or light-gray backdrop at least 1 m behind the subject to eliminate shadows and ensure the uniform, non-reflective background required by French ID standards.
• Lighting arrangement: position two softbox or LED panels at 45° angles, 1–5 m from the subject’s face, with diffusers to create even, shadow-free illumination across the facial features and background.
• Camera positioning and leveling: set the tripod so the camera’s sensor is exactly at eye level, use a built-in bubble level or hot-shoe spirit level to align the camera perpendicular to the backdrop, ensuring a straight-on, undistorted capture.
• Distance and framing calibration: measure approximately 2 m between camera and subject; in live-view mode, enable on-screen rulers or gridlines to frame the head at 32–36 mm (36–40 % of the 45 mm height) and ensure 3–5 mm margin above the crown.
• Color and exposure verification: include a neutral gray card beside the subject for a test shot, adjust white balance to ~5500 K and exposure so the histogram centers on midtones, then review that skin tones look natural and the background reads as uniform white or light gray.

Tips and Best Practices

• High-Resolution Camera: use a camera or modern smartphone (minimum 8 MP) to capture fine facial details—prevents pixelation that leads to rejection.
• Stable Mounting: mount your device on a tripod or fixed surface and use a remote shutter or timer—eliminates blur from handheld shakes.
• Even, Diffuse Lighting: place two soft lights at 45° angles or use a light box—avoids harsh shadows and uneven skin tones that fail official checks.
• Plain, Neutral Backdrop: hang a wrinkle-free white or light-gray sheet 1 m behind you—ensures no patterns or color casts compromise the ID’s contrast requirements.
• Accurate Framing & Leveling: align the camera at eye-level, keep your head centered and spanning 32–36 mm of the frame—guarantees correct head size and positioning per France’s 35×45 mm spec.

Conclusion

In summary, producing a compliant DIY French ID-card photo (35×45 mm) requires careful attention to both precise equipment choices and a controlled setup environment to meet official standards.

Key Equipment and Setup Points

• Camera: Use a digital camera or high-resolution smartphone (min. 8 MP) mounted on a tripod at eye level
• Background: Equip a plain, matte white backdrop free of shadows or textures
• Lighting: Employ two diffused light sources at 45° angles to eliminate facial shadows
• Framing: Position subject 2–4 m from camera so head height fills 32–36 mm of the frame
• Alignment: Ensure the subject’s face is centered, eyes on a horizontal axis, neutral expression, mouth closed
• Distance and Focus: Maintain a 1–2 m distance for proper perspective and sharp, in-focus details
• Post-processing: Crop to 35×45 mm, verify head size (32–36 mm), confirm color balance and remove red-eye

By following these steps precisely, you’ll achieve a photo that passes French ID-card requirements on the first try.