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

Requirements

• Camera quality: use a digital camera or smartphone with at least 5 megapixel resolution set to maximum image quality (no beauty filters or digital zoom)
• Lens and distance: employ a 50 mm-equivalent lens (or standard phone lens) and position the camera at least 5 m from the subject to avoid wide-angle distortion
• Tripod or stable support: mount the camera on a tripod or fixed surface at eye level to ensure perfectly horizontal framing and eliminate motion blur
• Background setup: install a uniform, light-gray or white backdrop free of patterns, shadows, wrinkles, or objects—background luminance should be even across the frame
• Lighting arrangement: place two soft, daylight-balanced lights (5 000–6 500 K) at 45° angles to the subject, plus a gentle fill light if needed, to eliminate shadows on face and background
• Camera settings: set aperture to f/8–f/11 for full-face sharpness, shutter speed ≥ 1/100 s to freeze any movement, ISO 100–200 to minimize noise
• Framing and composition: ensure the face occupies about 70–80 % of the frame, with head height 32–36 mm from chin to crown and eyes positioned 29–34 mm from the bottom of the 35×45 mm crop
• Cropping and resolution: use editing software to crop the image exactly to 35 × 45 mm at 300 dpi, exporting as a high-quality JPEG without compression artifacts
• Color balance and contrast: verify neutral skin tones and clear distinction between subject and background; no red-eye or excessive contrast adjustments

Step-by-Step Process

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

Tips and Best Practices

• Camera & Resolution: Use a DSLR or 12 MP+ smartphone camera set to 300 dpi and 35×45 mm framing to capture crisp detail; this prevents pixelation and ensures you meet France’s minimum resolution—avoid low-res images by checking metadata before printing.
• Background Setup: Mount a light-grey (RGB 217-217-217) matte backdrop at least 1 m behind the subject to eliminate shadows and texture; France ID specs demand a uniform neutral background—dodge wallpaper or uneven paint by using a collapsible backdrop.
• Lighting Arrangement: Position two diffused light sources at 45° angles and at head height to cast even illumination across the face and backdrop; this eradicates harsh shadows and hot spots—steer clear of a single overhead lamp which creates unapproved shadows.
• Subject Positioning: Place the camera on a tripod at eye level, have the subject stand ~1 m from the backdrop, and ensure the head occupies 70–80% of frame height (32–36 mm from chin to crown); correct centering avoids cropping issues and biometric rejection—prevent tilted or off-center shots by marking floor and tripod positions.
• Camera Settings & Stability: Switch to manual mode with aperture f/8, shutter 1/125 s, ISO 100 and use a tethered remote or self-timer to eliminate shake; stable, well-exposed images pass the French ID check—don’t rely on auto mode or handheld shooting which often yield blurry or under/over-exposed photos.

Conclusion

Conclusion: Capturing compliant DIY French ID card photos (35 × 45 mm) hinges on precise equipment selection and meticulous setup. Following these guidelines ensures your images meet official standards and avoid rejection.

Key Points:

• Camera: Use a high-resolution DSLR or smartphone (minimum 8 MP) with fixed focal length lens
• Lighting: Employ two softbox lights at 45° angles to eliminate shadows and maintain even illumination
• Background: Position subject against a neutral, light grey or white backdrop free of patterns and textures
• Framing: Align subject’s head centrally; head height 32–36 mm within 35 × 45 mm frame; leave 3 mm margin around edges
• Posture & Expression: Keep head straight, eyes open, mouth closed, neutral expression, avoid hair covering eyes
• White Balance & Color: Set camera’s white balance to “Daylight” or use a grey card; ensure natural skin tones
• Resolution & File Format: Export at 300 dpi in JPEG format, uncompressed or with minimal compression
• Self-Check: Verify dimensions, head size, background uniformity, and absence of reflections before submission
• Printing (if required): Use a professional lab or color laser printer on matte photo paper to maintain border accuracy