passport size photo studio lighting

[nbodiju]

I am setting up a digital lab for photographers and customers in my area, along with other services.
However I also intent to set up a passport photography studio.
Can anyone tell me what is the minimum lighting setup needed for passport photography and the area I will need in my Studio.
I stay in India where there are not too strict guideline for passport photography, with the exception of the most basic ones like clarity, size etc.

 

[Ah Pao]

Can't really help in anything specific to your country, but in Singapore, quite a number of minilabs take passport photos using compact digicams, using on-camera flash. As long as it's a white background with sufficient clearance from the sides of the photograph, it is alright.

Singapore immigration (ICA) even allows digital upload from home - http://www3.ica.gov.sg/apples/faq/faq.html, Q12. Best if you can check with your local authorities for any specific specifications and/or restrictions.

 

[zac08]

I am setting up a digital lab for photographers and customers in my area, along with other services.
However I also intent to set up a passport photography studio.
Can anyone tell me what is the minimum lighting setup needed for passport photography and the area I will need in my Studio.
I stay in India where there are not too strict guideline for passport photography, with the exception of the most basic ones like clarity, size etc.

Easiest??

1 simple white or coloured backdrop.
Direct flash

If u want better effects, then consider bouncing the flash upwards and using a bounce card.

 

[catchlights]

basically white background should be fine,
let your customer stand a few feet away from the background,
place a small slave flash behind your customer,
aim the slave flash directly at the background, this will give you a clear pure white background, save your time on clearing up background using photoshop.

what camera to use is not critical,
in Singapore here many photo labs offering passport photo service are using a compact camera.

direct flash is fine,
or you can set up a hotshoe flash with a small umbrella directly above your camera if you have the space and money. (this is give you a nice clean slightly diffuse flat lighting on your customers)

btw, ceiling bounce is not recommendable as since most Indians have deeper eye sockets, it will create raccoon eye effect on your customers.

since passport photo not allow you do touch up (as per requirement) so remember to ask you customers to comb hair and clear up oily face before taking the photos.

hope this help.

 

[Peano]

Check the homemade flash diffuser at this link. I would not use direct flash.