ID Photos

[tfreeze]

Hello, I work for a travel agency and we use the Rebel T6 for pass*port photos. We have tried multiple settings in order to reduce shadows behind the ears/neck of our clients however, we keep running into that shadow issue. Right now I have it set on Manual Exposure with low apreture and 0 flash exposure. Are there any specific settings I should alter in order to get great headshots?

[kvbarkley]

What are you using for a flash?

[Tronhard]

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@tfreeze wrote:

Hello, I work for a travel agency and we use the Rebel T6 for pass*port photos. We have tried multiple settings in order to reduce shadows behind the ears/neck of our clients however, we keep running into that shadow issue. Right now I have it set on Manual Exposure with low apreture and 0 flash exposure. Are there any specific settings I should alter in order to get great headshots?

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To get the effect that you want you need to have a setup something like this.  You will need to use a diffuser and tilt the head up to reflect off the ceiling.  Most tilt-head flash units have a built-in diffuser but if not you could use something like baking paper to create the effect.   You should be able to use E-TTL flash setting.

[ebiggs1]

The flash is your problem. If you can, avoid using the flash at all. A well lighted office should provide enough light for the T6 to get you good ID shots.  A tripod will help so you can slow the SS if needed.

No flash.

For a ID photo or yearbook photo this will work very well.

[Tronhard]

I would normally agree wholeheartedly but I ran foul of the UK pass port office when my photos (taken in what I would have thought was a well-lit office in a mall) were  rejected because they didn't like the shadows of my eyes and neck - apparently it fought their facial ID software or something.  I went back to the store where I got it done and they tried a second time - rejected again.  Finally I took my own photo in available light from a diffused window behind the tripod of my own camera.  The shop printed the photos and finally they were accepted.  Go figure...

[ebiggs1]

" I took my own photo in available light from a diffused window behind the tripod of my own camera."

That, my friend, was the intent of my post. Avoid flash if at all possible.  Not just avoid, do what ever you have to to avoid using a flash.

[ebiggs1]

I have done 1,000's of yearbook photos and lot's of CC photos and some **bleep** photos and never had one rejected.

Available natural diffused light is always best

[Tronhard]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

" I took my own photo in available light from a diffused window behind the tripod of my own camera."

That, my friend, was the intent of my post. Avoid flash if at all possible.  Not just avoid, do what ever you have to to avoid using a flash.

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Hi Ernie

I totally agree about the flash.  I had in my mind that most travel agencies are in malls, and malls are not reowned for having lots of natural light - hence my post.  Absolutely use diffuse available light from behind the camera if you can!!!