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

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: 33 × 48 mm – final printed image must measure exactly 33 mm wide by 48 mm high with no borders or white margins
• Head size (chin to crown): 28 – 33 mm – distance from the lowest point of the chin to the top of the hair must fall within this range
• Eye height from bottom: 23 – 28 mm – measured from the bottom edge of the photo to the horizontal line through the eyes
• Background colour: uniform light grey (RGB 217, 217, 217) – smooth, even tone with no shadows, patterns or gradients
• Lighting setup: even, diffused lighting – use two soft light sources at 45° angles; eliminate shadows on face and background
• Camera position: eye-level tripod mount – place camera 2 m from subject, lens parallel to face to avoid distortion
• Pose and expression: full-face view, neutral expression – mouth closed, eyes open and looking straight at the camera, no tilting
• Glasses and accessories: none – remove eyeglasses, sunglasses, hair accessories and jewelry; religious head coverings allowed only if they don’t obscure facial features
• Clothing: dark, plain top – avoid white or light grey that blends into the background and patterns that distract
• Photo quality: high resolution, sharp focus – minimum 600 dpi (or 12 MP smartphone), no noise, glare or pixelation
• Printing guidelines: borderless on photo paper – use a calibrated color printer or professional lab, choose matte or glossy finish, cut precisely to size

Step-by-Step Process

• Equipment Setup: Gather a digital camera (DSLR or high-resolution smartphone), a tripod and remote shutter or self-timer to eliminate shake and ensure consistent framing.
• Background Selection: Choose a smooth, matte light-grey background (RGB 211,211,211) free of wrinkles or patterns to meet China’s uniform backdrop requirement.
• Lighting Setup: Place two softbox lights at 45° angles from the subject to eliminate shadows; use a third overhead fill light to soften any remaining facial shadows and maintain even tone.
• Camera Positioning: Mount your camera on the tripod at exactly eye-level, perpendicular to the subject, to prevent distortion; set focal length to 50 mm (or digital equivalent) and switch to manual mode.
• Subject Positioning: Have the subject stand 5 m from the background and 1–2 m from the camera; instruct them to face forward, keep shoulders relaxed, eyes open and mouth closed in a neutral expression.
• Framing & Focusing: Frame so the final image area is 33 mm wide × 48 mm high; ensure the head (top of hair to chin) measures 28–33 mm and eyes sit 23–35 mm from the bottom edge; focus sharply on the eyes.
• Capturing Photos: Use the remote or self-timer; take 5–10 shots varying slight head tilts and expressions to ensure at least one meets specifications and has no blinking or stray hairs.
• Selecting & Editing: Download images and pick the sharpest frame; adjust brightness/contrast only to match real skin tone and background uniformity—do not alter facial features.
• Cropping to Exact Spec: In a photo editor, set canvas to 33 × 48 mm at 600 dpi; position and crop so head size and eye placement comply, then export as a high-quality JPEG (max 10:1 compression).
• Final Quality Check & Submission: Verify dimensions, head measurements and absence of shadows or reflections against China’s official checklist; print on matte photo paper or upload per e-visa portal guidelines.

Tips and Best Practices

Content about Taking Perfect CN China Passport 33x48 mm light grey background Photos at Home - tips

Conclusion

In summary, to capture a compliant 33 × 48 mm Chinese passport photo with a light grey background at home:

• Background: use a smooth, uniform light grey backdrop free of wrinkles or shadows
• Photo dimensions: ensure the final print is exactly 33 × 48 mm with the head height 28–33 mm and top margin 3–5 mm
• Lighting: employ even, diffused light from both sides to eliminate facial shadows and background hotspots
• Framing & pose: center the face, maintain a neutral expression, eyes level with the camera, and both ears visible
• Attire & accessories: wear plain, dark-colored clothes without patterns; remove hats, head coverings (unless for religious reasons), and eyewear
• Image quality: use a high-resolution camera (minimum 600 dpi on print), print on non-glossy photo paper, and avoid retouching or filters
• Final check: verify correct size, background tone, sharp focus, and accurate color reproduction before submission

Adhering to these key points will help you produce a visa-ready photo that meets Chinese passport requirements and avoids costly rejections.