A biometric photo is a type of photograph that is specifically created to allow the analysis of a persons physical features, particularly their facial features. Biometric photos are used for official documents such as passports, visas, and ID cards, and are designed to act as a sort of fingerprint, making identification easier and forgery harder. The composition rules for biometric photos are quite strict, and they must meet specific biometric requirements on things like the length of the head, the position of the eyes, or the width of the shoulders. Some of the key features of biometric photos include:
- Lighting and color: The photo should have a good balance between overexposure and underexposure, and should be in full color.
- Photo quality: The photo must be of high quality, clear, without traces or folding lines, and should not be distorted in any way such as barrel or compression artifacts.
- Background: The background for a biometric picture must be plain, preferably white or light gray, and there shouldnt be anything else in the frame except the person being photographed.
- Head in official photo: The photo must show only the persons head, neck, and shoulders.
- Facial expression and pose: The person being photographed should have a neutral expression and should not be wearing glasses or headwear that could obscure their facial features.
While the composition rules for biometric photos are quite strict, it is possible to take them at home with the help of various apps and online services. These services use AI systems to check the photo according to the official biometric requirements and can correct small elements such as lighting and balance.
