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

Requirements

• Digital camera and lens: use a DSLR or mirrorless camera (min. 10 MP) with a 50 mm prime lens (or equivalent focal length) to avoid perspective distortion
• Tripod and shutter release: mount the camera on a stable, height-adjustable tripod at eye level and use a remote shutter or 2 s timer to eliminate camera shake
• Lighting setup: place two continuous soft-light sources at 45° angles to the subject to ensure even, shadow-free illumination and avoid glare on glasses
• Background: use a plain, non-reflective white or light gray backdrop (no textures, patterns or shadows) that contrasts clearly with hair and clothing
• Framing and distance: position the subject ~5–2 m from the camera so the head fills 75–80% of the frame (32–36 mm from chin to crown) with minimal surrounding margin
• Image resolution and output: capture at 300 dpi or higher with correct white balance and sharp focus, crop exactly to 35 × 45 mm, and print on high-quality (≥220 gsm) matte photo paper without borders

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

• Tripod stability: Secure your camera or smartphone on a tripod to prevent blur and maintain consistent framing, critical for sharp, correctly sized 35×45 mm ID photos.
• Neutral background: Position your subject against a plain light-gray or off-white backdrop to avoid shadows and color casts, a common rejection reason in French ID applications.
• Diffused lighting: Use two soft, 45°-angled light sources or a softbox to evenly illuminate the face and eliminate harsh shadows, ensuring uniform exposure meets official guidelines.
• Camera alignment: Keep the lens at eye level and about 5 m from your subject to maintain correct head proportions (32–36 mm in frame) and prevent perspective distortion.
• High-resolution capture: Shoot with an 8 MP (or higher) camera at minimum 1200×1600 px and print at 300 dpi to ensure clear facial detail and avoid pixelation in the final 35×45 mm print.

Conclusion

Conclusion

Achieving passport-quality 35 × 45 mm French ID card photos at home is entirely feasible with the right gear and careful setup. Attention to detail in equipment choice, lighting, background, subject positioning, and digital post-processing ensures compliance with official requirements and a rejection-free result.

Key Points

• Camera: use a stable DSLR or mirrorless with at least 8 MP and a 50 mm equivalent lens for minimal distortion
• Tripod & Remote: mount camera at eye-level and trigger remotely to eliminate shake and ensure consistent framing
• Lighting: position two softboxes or LED panels at 45° angles for even, shadow-free illumination of face and background
• Background: employ a plain, light-grey or white backdrop with no patterns or shadows, evenly lit at 500–1 000 lux
• Subject Position: stand 5–2 m from camera, maintain a neutral expression, closed mouth, eyes straight ahead, ears visible
• Framing & Composition: crop to exactly 35 × 45 mm, with head height 32–36 mm and 2–5 mm space above hairline; leave 2–5 mm margin at bottom
• Image Specs: export at 300 dpi in JPEG format, maximum compression quality, file size between 20 KB and 100 KB
• Final Check: verify dimensions, head placement, lighting uniformity and background colour against official French ID photo templates before printing or upload