Taking Perfect CN China Passport 33x48 mm light grey background Photos at Home - Expert Tips

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: must be exactly 33 mm wide × 48 mm tall with a tolerance of ±5 mm on each side
• Background color: uniform light grey (RGB approx. 230,230,230) with no patterns, shadows or gradients
• Head size & placement: top of hair to chin must measure 28–33 mm and be vertically centered with 3–5 mm margin above hair
• Facial orientation: full-face view, eyes level to camera, head straight and centered, shoulders visible and relaxed
• Expression & eyes: neutral expression with mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible (no hair or glasses frames covering eyes)
• Lighting & contrast: even, natural lighting with no shadows on face or background and true-to-life skin tones
• Attire & accessories: plain, dark-colored clothing; no uniforms, hats, headphones or jewelry; religious headwear allowed only if it does not obscure facial features
• Glasses policy: no tinted lenses or frames obscuring eyes; thin-rimmed prescription glasses permitted if glare-free and eyes fully visible
• Photo quality & paper: printed on high-resolution glossy or matte photo paper at ≥300 dpi, with crisp edges and no pixelation or creases
• Recency & file specs: taken within the last 6 months; digital file in JPEG format, 20–200 KB, minimum 350 dpi (optional for e-submission)

Step-by-Step Process

• First step: Set up a light grey background using a smooth, matte surface at least 5×5 m free of wrinkles, fix it to a wall ensuring uniform color and no shadows
• Second step: Position two soft LED lights at 45° angles on either side of the subject, diffused with white umbrellas or softboxes to create even illumination without hotspots or shadows
• Third step: Mount your digital camera on a tripod at eye level approximately 2–5 m from the subject, use a 50 mm lens (or 35 mm full-frame equivalent) to minimize distortion and maintain facial proportions
• Fourth step: Place a marked floor spot 2 m from the wall and have the subject stand barefoot, heels together and back straight, with head centered and eyes level to the camera to satisfy height and position requirements
• Fifth step: Instruct the subject to maintain a neutral expression with closed mouth, eyes open and looking directly at the camera, remove glasses or transparent frames and keep hair off the face to expose the full forehead and ears
• Sixth step: Set camera settings to ISO 100–200, aperture f/8 for depth of field, shutter speed 1/125 s, white balance 5000K daylight, disable flash and use autofocus mirror lock to reduce blur and ensure color accuracy
• Seventh step: Take multiple test shots, review on-camera histogram to confirm even exposure and background uniformity, adjust light intensity or subject position to eliminate shadows on the face and background edges
• Eighth step: Transfer images to a computer and use photo software to crop the face area to exactly 33 mm wide × 48 mm high, ensuring the head height is between 29 mm and 34 mm from chin to crown and centered vertically
• Ninth step: Validate compliance by overlaying the official China passport photo template, verify eyes are 28–34 mm from the bottom edge and background color matches Pantone Cool Gray 3C or similar light grey with no gradients
• Tenth step: Print on high-quality matte photo paper at 600 dpi resolution, cut precisely to 33×48 mm using a ruler and sharp craft knife, avoid bending edges and store flat until submission

Tips and Best Practices

• Background Uniformity: Use a smooth, evenly lit light grey backdrop to eliminate shadows or color variations that lead to photo rejection
• Balanced Lighting: Position two soft light sources at 45° angles to prevent face or background shadows and avoid washed-out or underexposed areas
• Precise Framing & Sizing: Center the head with a 28–33 mm face height and crop the final image to exactly 33×48 mm so it meets China’s strict dimensions
• Neutral Expression & Eye Contact: Keep a relaxed, closed-mouth expression with eyes fully open and looking straight at the camera to satisfy biometric requirements
• Clear Visibility: Remove hats, tinted glasses, and obstructive hair, and use autofocus or tripod support to prevent blur, glare, or reflections that cause instant rejection

Conclusion

Conclusion

By carefully controlling size, background, lighting and positioning, you can confidently capture a compliant 33 × 48 mm China passport photo with a light grey background at home. Always verify dimensions, head placement, and print quality to ensure your application proceeds without delays.

Key Points

• Photo Dimensions: 33 × 48 mm with a head height of 28–33 mm and 3 mm top margin
• Background: Even light grey (RGB 240,240,240) free of shadows or textures
• Lighting & Exposure: Use two diffused light sources at 45° to eliminate shadows and maintain natural skin tones
• Camera Setup: Position camera at eye level, use a tripod, 300 dpi resolution, no wide-angle distortion
• Subject Positioning: Neutral expression, both eyes open, mouth closed, shoulders square to camera
• Printing & Paper: High-quality color print on matte or semi-gloss photo paper, no borders, accurate scale
• Final Check: Measure printed photo, inspect head proportions, verify background uniformity before submission