GNS News and Informations

Tip for better passport photos

Which type of passport photo works best and which background is the most suitable? There is no need to make a big issue of this, no need for experimenting, you only need a picture where your face is well lit (works with every digital camera). Please ensure that your head doesn’t throw shadows (the background can be affected) or that part of your face is in shadows. Here are some tips on how to make a photograph which will make a good card.

Disadvantageous: Your face will be far too small on the ID card.	Better: The proportions are fitted to the picture edges.	A picture works best on a coloured background.



Reason: The spacing to the picture edges is too large. And that doesn’t look good.	Next tip: Avoid if possible a white background.	The maximum size for digital photographs is 640x814 pixels.

Further tips:

Note: Please avoid drop shadows in the face area (one half of the face is well lit and the other disappears in shadow). The photograph should be straight (not crooked). Picture size: Please use a balanced width to height ratio. A ratio of 1:1.27 would be suitable.

Example:

Your picture has a width of 300 pixels. The suitable height would then be 381 pixels (300*1.27).

Do not use half length portraits of photographs or black backgrounds.