Shadows

Eliminating Shadows for High-Quality Passport Photos

Avoid shadows on passport photos to ensure clear identification. Ensure even, monochromatic background and use natural lighting to prevent shadow formation.

Shadows can be created when light is obstructed by an object. To produce a shadow, a light source and an object are required, which can be either natural (daylight or artificial (artificial light).

Types of Shadows

There are several types of shadows:

Self-shadow: the shadow that exists on the unlit side of an object
Cast shadow: the shadow that the object creates on a surface
Core shadow: the darkest part of the shadow where no light can penetrate
Half-shadow: the shadow that appears on the outer edge of the shadow

Rules for Shadows on Passport Photos

In the context of passport photos, shadows are strictly prohibited, as stated in the regulations. Shadows can obscure important facial features, especially around the eyes, and make it challenging to identify the person in the photo.

To ensure that no shadows are present in the passport photo, the background must be monochromatic, even, and free of gradient or shadow. Furthermore, there must be no shadows visible on the face, particularly around the eyes. It is recommended to use natural lighting and avoid direct light sources to prevent shadows from appearing in the photo.