I TRY TAKING A PASSPORT PHOTO.

[@tonytfuntek3262]

After researching all the rules for the proper ratio, positioning etc. for a passport photo we were all set. At the passport office my passport photos were rejected because the people there said my pictures were "To Hollywood" So we were forced to use their in-house photographer, where I looked like an 1940's escaped convict.

[@ozgundemirr]

lol

[@henrymaddocks984]

Same. In NZ you can take your own photos and upload them to the passport people. My own photos kept being rejected so I went and got some at a camera store and they worked. I can't tell the difference between mine and the bought photos

[@ArsenijeRadenovic]

Haha that is funny In my country police office takes your photo with a web cam (police issues all of the documents). You just can't look good.

[@Franky75ify]

I tried that too 😂

[@NobodyImportant-ef3de]

Yeah it's best to just pay I'm also a photographer but they are always going to reject them. Its weird to me as if some magical pose will make you exactly like yourself but the others they cannot quite tell. All pics are going to look like you. Even people identify criminals on poor surveillance cameras so I don't quite understand the logic.

[@Dewabarasunderan]

The fact, that you struggled with this AND you’re willing to upload it as is, makes you to one of my favorite photography KZbinrs🎉

[@MikeLikesChannel]

White backgrounds are fiendishly difficult. I've never once duplicated success without tinkering, a lot.

[@holdmyown32]

@@MikeLikesChannel They are pretty hard with a smasll speedlight but with a stronger light its fairly easy, I have had a lot of practice thought because ive been shooting on white for the last few years.

[@dunnymonster]

10.55 Heads up for the " You Like! " Love it 🤣😂

[@el0blaino]

Thanks, Omar. I think showing how you solve a simple "problem" like "taking a good-looking passport photo with available gear" is a great way to show general principles for taking headshots, half-body portraits for work, that sort of thing. I learned so much about my camera, lens, and the associated software from taking a trip abroad. Which lens do I want, how will I use my new camera bag, how do I edit, which printer should I use, how do I put together a photo book ... all that stemmed from having that "trip of a lifetime" planned. Next was when I wanted to take pictures of my son playing sports - had never intended to take sports pictures, but all of a sudden I needed a zoom, had to think more about shutter speed than aperture, find a way to share hundreds of photos with the other parents ... So, totally agree -- setting little challenges and solving problems, that's the way to grow!

[@Serl0p]

Man, I wish you had published this video a couple months ago 😂. I am a photography "aficionado", but by no means a professional, and I was plugged into a project that required me taking several portraits of different people. I had to go back to studying the basics like the use of the flash, the backdrop, then the use of two flash lights together, and so much more. You essentially summed up everything I needed to get started in one single video 😅... So yeah, this 12 minutes would have saved me hours of consuming content plus hours of trial and error. I'm sure many more folks would find this extremely helpful! One suggestion I'd make: maybe consider adding to the title of the video something along the lines "portraits 101" or "crash course on portraits", so more people looking specifically for that can check your video 😉. Thanks again for all the work you put! I love your videos and never miss a new one 😁

[@brucesmith9144]

I paid someone at the local shop to do it. They had all the setups for passport/visa photo requirements for many countries (yeah, there are many differences) and it cost me like 180 baht in Thailand 🇹🇭 (about $6) and they gave me multiple pictures plus the digital image file.

[@-grey]

Wow! I'd like to see the Fujifilm back to back with the Nikon more often. I was shocked by how nice the Nikon looked. The skin tones, hue, and general contrast was way better. I would have guessed the Fujifilm was an iPhone photo if I didn't know.

[@thepirateshoots]

People switch to Fuji because of film simulations, then use B&W, then ultimate switch to analog 😂

[@-grey]

@@thepirateshoots I shoot Fujifilm and this is accurate. 😂 I think it's because nobody learns how to use white balance. That's why every "recipe" is just 7200k and green. The film simulations can be pretty aggressive if you don't get the white balance right. Probably why they get frustrated and switch to black and white for the art of it all. I bought a Ricoh and I'm looking to finally switch out of Fujifilm. I miss normal looking images tbh, and I hate editing raws.

[@thepirateshoots]

@@-grey hi, of course I exaggerated a Lil bit 😎but at the moment I'm trying out another system on 'used' base and so far I am not disappointed.

[@thepirateshoots]

@@-grey... and normal PROVIA colors are OK.

[@csotoperspective]

I actually took mine myself 2 months ago, used a Olympus em-1 mark 2 with a 12-48mm lens, with the small stock camera flash, as for background it was the kitchen wall in my apartment, but hey at the end of the day was accepted!

[@swagonman]

As a hobbyist, I’ve shot several passport photos used for actual passports. Seemed pretty easy using natural light thru windows from my guest room. The photos were better than any passport photo that I’ve ever bought. If you need to do this, just go ahead and try.

[@somewhere327]

Love this! Exactly my experience before I went to a picture booth. I laughed so much about this, thanks for brightening my day

[@deputydd4364]

It's easy here in the UK. Open passport application on your phone, within the app take a photo using phone against a plain background. The passport website automatically crops and verifies the image is acceptable. Done. Took me 37 seconds. (And yet some people still go to passport photo place for a fortune!!!)

[@barrycohen311]

Just got my USA passport renewed. I just let the Post Office guy do the photo. It is crazy strict.

[@TravisHam]

I did a passport photo with a phone ~10 years ago. Worked perfectly. Since then, I've paid the few bucks to let the passport office do it just to save the anxiety as to whether it would be accepted or not. (Incidentally, my phone version looked much better than what they did in the office. 😆)

[@manilamartin1001]

I used to do passport and id photos. Its not hard but there are certain requirements.

[@kenc2257]

Nice photos! Fun (and interesting) little project.

[@ravi201060]

Omar,i do struggle same way while getting my passport photos taken, while technically i have 6 working cameras, my question is if my good man Omar can answer and help some newbies is that what you did and how did you arrange that composition on 4X6 , so that we can go to local printing place to get it printed and have to buy a printer... TIA

[@pablonetx]

I've done this several times for several people. Last time, it cost me $0.41 🤑 at Walgreens for a 4×6 for three copies for two diff people. I took them in front of a white wall and with the help of a flash to even out the face. I did tether to check the focus and exposure.

[@yay478]

I'm actually need to use this video for work thanks Omar

[@tc6912]

PreFocusing? With all the new eye detection firmware, isn't there a way to take a selfie and have the camera find your eye? I am a Nikon shooter, so I am thinking: AF-S, with priority set to focus Wide large or Auto Area set for people Leave focus on the shuter release button Remote trigger or timer. SnapBridge is cool, but I find myself looking at my phone for the button. I prefer a timer or a remote with a physical button.

[@miguelosvaldo]

It's always fun to learn with you. Thanks!

[@michelle_pw]

Omar, you always make learning fun. Thanks.

[@alejandrobermudez9829]

Yooo, I was in a similar situation last month and your closing statement is 100% aligned with my feelings. My wife questioned whether my time was worth the result, and it was the “cookin” that was worth it

[@kbstabs5982]

Now I know why I have not been able to save a buck by doing it myself. Thanks, Omar, for a most instructive video.

[@thomasfransson]

You are a gem Omar! Enjoy Italy

[@Franky75ify]

Talk about overdoing it 😄 Love it

[@tonyburkhart888]

Definitely a fun and informative video!

[@jeremywenrich]

This was great, thank you! I’ve put off buying a scary face for test shoots. I should just do it.

[@ivanchao8872]

Yeahhh as one of those minimum wage workers we used a nik d5100/18-55 with the built in flash/cold shoe diffuser. Background was an LED board. Nothing fancy is needed but we also had a program which would size everything properly.

[@thenexthobby]

ƒ4 - ƒ8 is a good idea for headshots and portraits unless your plain background still distracts. For selfies, manual focus for the distance and done, especially if the subject distance stays reletively still. Or use a remote trigger an AF tied to shutter.

[@Tap-a-roo]

Snapbridge to control the camera. Constant lights with no flash. If you edit the white background, they will reject the photo as altered. They scan for that.

[@lelandsmith2320]

Bingo! Just do it their way and they are happy. Sadly, they don't tell you what there way is.

[@nicolai_berlin]

Did you turn Eye-AF on on your Fuji XT3? Fun an nice video to watch Omar! As always :-)

[@stevebrown3955]

The first time our family all got passports I took the photos at home and they accepted all photos EXCEPT mine!!😂😂

[@IanSandersonPhotography]

Had to do four for out passport renewals a few weeks ago. MY GOD! I basically had to ignore everything I ever learned about taking headshots and use the WORSt possible lighting set up to get the job done. I actually could have cried!

[@amermeleitor]

In my town an old guy with a Nikon D200 takes that kind of photos, is dirt cheap and fast and the pictures are very good

[@lelandsmith2320]

Migracion where I live in Latin America has 2 cameras set up -- a 10mp xti and an 18mp t5i. Both work.

[@tulitable]

Hi Omar, I do love Italy 😊 We've been there last year (Sicilia) and we'll be there this year (Sardegna)! Enjoy your trip and be careful driving in Italy 😅 Belle vacanze 🖐🏻

[@nh-ss5pw]

I hear you about the Fuji app, no install for me for same reasons.

[@gjcoop5625]

Is that Beauty Dish working? It looks broken.

[@robertwrightphoto]

I enjoyed getting my passport photo taken in 2015, went to the local 1 hour lab (long gone) and sat on a stool next to a white pull down backdrop, the owner used what was probably a 4mp Sony mavica to take three attempts, put the sd card into his beige PC with CRT monitor, and fired up Photoshop circa 1999 and used the background eraser to remove the grey behind me to white....worth the $15 dollars and then some to be photographed by someone who has probably taken as many portraits as I have.

[@bsmukler]

Your finished photos look great! Can I use them for my next passport renewal application?

[@CarloAndreotti]

Hi Omar, great video... as always! I am a big fan of yours, following you since your first videos on the x-t20 (which was also my first Fuji btw). Have fun on your trip to Italy! Where exactly are you going if you don't mind me asking? I live in the northwest of Italy, I constantly move between Alessandria, Genova and Lerici (a small town near the 5 lands), if you happen to be nearby let me know I would love to come and say hello! Carlo

[@JungleCatImages]

I did some for 2 friends the other day. They're sisters, did them in exactly the same place, cropped them exactly the same, saved them both from Lightroom with exactly the same parameters.. one got accepted and the other rejected.. re- edited the one that got rejected, although I had no idea why, and it got rejected again.. So, the girl took a photo with her cellphone, rectangular half body shot .. NOT 2x2 of just the face and shoulders.. I told her no way would they accept that, it didn't meet any of the criteria clearly spelled out on the official website.. It got accepted lol

[@lelandsmith2320]

Could it be the government is sovereign and the people are subject?

[@regalwalnut]

LOL, I remember struggling through this! It was an ego boost when the passport office didn't blink and accepted my photos without comment.

[@lsh-zi2lc]

I took a photo for a friend with an iPhone I had at the time, printed it with a low end HP printer, all good.

[@d.kartofel]

I need a new photo for my resume (CV) and I couldn't motivate myself to do it for last few months. Thanks, maybe today is the day.

[@antdenzic7977]

Why does the new Fujifilm X app want to always know my location? It won't let me use the app if I select 'only when using app' during the set up. If I'm not using the app, its none of Fuji's business what's my location.

[@65WZ]

My daughter wanted to renew her national ID last month, and asked me to photograph her. I used my iPhone with maximum optical zoom (x3), then used Photoshop to remove the background and insert a white one instead. We uploaded the photo, it was accepted by their software, and got the ID in the mail 10 days later 😊

[@TMM6900]

I try taking one at home for my school id. Lol- turned out to be too moody. Still rocked with it

[@gazembaondego6779]

Nice content. My question is I have flat ears. How do I bring them out for a clear passport photo

[@jazzycattruthkitten4101]

Which is better quality for a passport photo ? Digital or roll film ? I’m leaning towards the roll film .

[@Abdapaul]

What I normally do is take photo using flash on an umbrella and crop the photo to the size 2”x2” and paste it on a 4”x6” canvas. Create 5 more layers of the crop and place it over the canvas. Save it on a flash drive. Print a 4x6” it at the nearby 1 hour photo lab for 25 cents 😅

[@thebowlerusa1]

Always entertaining...

[@TheCoolpics]

We went through the same problems, ended up taking an over exposed shot just to try and it was accepted, personally it was an image for the bin!

[@kevingardner4229]

I took a photograph of my brother in law for his UK passport. I used XT-20 with XF 18-55mm lens, at f=4, iso 1000 shutter speed 1/30 using ambient light in our kitchen with him standing against the wall. I used a square image format. In the UK you can upload the photograph to the Passport Office who check the photo to see if it would pass. It failed because they said he had one shoulder higher than the other, so I had to repeat with him standing better. By the way I had my own done professionally and it was rejected because I was wearing my glasses!

[@pascalhibon7928]

Funny, I just did the same thing two days ago. Needed a photo of myself for my new employer. The most difficult part I found is that my home is too small to shoot a headshot with proper lights. I did light the backdrop with two lights from the side and one key light. The spare bedroom I used for this adventure is too small for all that gear. In the end I got what I needed but it is a pain without a proper studio space. But it is a fun exercise.

[@cybr600]

Hey Omar, great video, and do you know what's greater? Knowing that I am finally better in one type of photography than you.

[@CarlosHernandez-kg8py]

I drove in Italy, France. You don’t need an international license. Your New Joicy license is good enough. Use a white background with available natural light, take the picture of your beautiful head, follow the US passport office instructions, bringing it into Photoshop 4X6, gray background. Paste your face into a 2X2 square. Save to a flash drive . Why gray on the 4X6? So the printer at Walgreens doesn’t get fooled and you get the correct exposure. I have done it many time for my family and myself.

[@94Ninsound94]

Was thinking of doing this myself. As for background in France - at least - for passeport/identity card they don’t allow it to white. Has to be homogeneous light grey. Thanks for your video, it’s like it was made for me 😂 PS : did you talk about focal length at all? 🙃

[@carmenfissenden2530]

Ha ha … I was ahead of you prior to the stunning conclusion that all in all it would have been so much easier to pay to get it done . However , that was not what this was all about …. Was it? No,it wasn’t . If you don’t have the kit then this was going to cost you more , in the same way it would cost more to pick your own fruit to make jam or just have with ice cream , as the fruit would be way cheeper from the supermarket and would take up less time . Yet , knowing you can do passport yourself is reassuring that you learnt something at photography school - right ? Great video , Omar. Enjoy your trip to Italy …. And perhaps you might share a few snaps with us later …. Pretty please lol .

[@fraserp2377]

Haha, as soon as I saw the thumbnail it was an instant click 😅

[@TheOfficialOrangeMan]

I feel like you overthought this one Omar hahaha I did one with natural light from my window and stood by my wall

[@ccervantez7424]

Just took passport photos for the family about a month ago using a X-T3 and the kit flash. It took some trial and error to get it right.

[@Chilax]

all this but i went to walmart for mine and they used the cheapest digital camera and a janky white background all for $9 for 2 pics

[@judylindo6874]

OMG I took our (my husband and I) photos...well yeah I have the equipment so why would I pay CVS!! Well the "passport people" said there was a shadow in the photo so rejected it. REALLY a client would have accepted it LOL did it again and it was NOT EXACTLY 2 X 2...did it one more time and finally they accepted it as did AAA for our international license to drive in Italy. Going in Sept and while renting a car for Tuscany we are also doing a vespa tour....You guys have to do this since you will be in Tuscany

[@rewdotkim]

My daughter needed a passport photo for an upcoming trip, and after going back and forth about it we decided, "hey, the passport photo place will know exactly what's needed and have the right tools to make sure the photo is exactly what the passport office needs." We get there and the clerk snaps a photo against a white screen with a 10+ year old Canon PowerShot point & shoot. 🤣

[@Hydrogen101]

Let us know if they’re accepted! Also, who in Italy needs them? Odd. I just got on the airplane with my plain US passport and had no issues

[@Deminimis2]

I just got my passport photo taken a few weeks ago at CVS. When I looked at it it was blown out but I figured they knew what they were doing with that little point and shoot. When I went to my appointment she looked at my photo then looked at me, squinted a little then kept looking at the photo then looking at me until I finally told her that I got at CVS. She laughed then said a lot of people are doing that. But she did accept my photo. I may have to change my name to Casper. It was that bad.

[@Bullybeef972]

can you send the link where you bought the head dummy? thanks! :)

[@mrpedroleal90]

I took one with my own iphone and it worked fine, and i had to go to NYC to the Brazilian consulate to get my passport renewed. OK lighting is key, no natural light.

[@michaelshick4612]

Just down to the Police station, tell them you need a Mug shot. You be all set😂

[@traceybartlam7737]

I did my husbands latest passport photo. He had submitted one that was rejected for some random reason so I took one against a white wall and it was accepted. Just a standard photo of a face with no editing, lighting etc, literally point and shoot! Happy that it cost us nothing but there was no real noticeable difference between the first and second one 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Hippiexchic]

Which software or program did you use to print them?

[@d.newsome6344]

Just so you know... I've never needed an International Drivers License in Italy (or Spain... or Greece...). Somewhere in the fine print I think these countries are exempt for some reason.

[@tablatronix]

backdrop ear shadows are the worst, ditto on the background distance

[@SamGrimes93]

We have the same guitar 👌

[@RhydderkSG]

You even matched the hair with the mannequin

[@seancjmatthews]

My sister paid her local registered passport agent to take photo's of her family of 5 people. They were all rejected on application. I ended up setting up some dodgy lights and a white blanket and they passed. I improvised and learned something and she enjoyed her holiday. Win win.

[@Bonjurro]

Leeloo Dallas multi pass

[@Snookums]

Fuuuuudge i should've taken mine on remote! My husband took mine and i used my 50 1.8 and we were rushing, morning of our appointment... no makeup. He did not get a good pic lol the ones i took of our kids look great. We got our passports.... hate mine lol No REGERTS!😅 i should have just did some quick photoshop makeup but i didn't want to chance the passport police

[@hyde_official]

isn't this a re-upload?

[@MusicJunky3]

It seems the American government / local authorities are not so strict on pp photo 's then ?

[@corbinpearce7686]

Passport photos are so much hassle to do properly, I have to re-rig my setup and it’s just a headache.

[@L.Spencer]

In Mexico they make you get bw photos when you're going to apply to get your certification/university diploma, (and you have to pay a lot for them, too). Men wear a white shirt and tie, the photographers have a bunch for the men to wear. I think they're oval, not square. The government puts the picture on the certificate. You can google "mexico titulos universitarios" and see examples.

[@cesarm8811]

Since I am not a professional photographer and don't have all the lighting equipment (flash, trigger, white screen, etc.) lots of dollars to purchase. The next time I need a passport photo, I will pay the 20 bucks. Never the less, it was a fun video to watch. That dummy head is a bit scary!!!!!

[@1717jbs]

Just wondering how you eye surgery went.

[@vandalton4948]

can someone pleaee give me the correct formula for us passport photo? like if I stand 5 feet away from the sensor what focual length should be used to get the correct head to frame ratio?

[@mtsippel]

Ha! I was rejected multiple times; just go to Walgreens... :>)

[@jettschenker]

You should save that image file so even when you’re like 75 years old you can use the same passport photo lol

[@enkhmandakhbold9921]

here in mongolia we pay 1$ for 4 copies of photos.

[@chinovantage]

I tried taking passport photos of my family and ended up bringing them to a photo booth 😂

[@DMarrettTV]

this was me two months ago!

[@HwL01]

I tried taking my own and upload it for passport and they rejected. In the end i am forced to pay for a low res photo from a studio and that somehow got approved…

[@ipmpumps4242]

Did mine in 3 minutes with the Z5, just don't over-engineer it.

[@markkalder7266]

Are you sure to drive in Italy? 😂😂😂

[@poche660]

Lol, it costs about $10 around here and takes a few minutes.

[@alepirov]

Hey Omar, if you need tips for your travel in Italy ask me, i become a better photographer with your channel, maybe I can help you to enjoy at best your holyday!

[@bsalvis]

Omar, you're such an over achiever. I just put a passport photo app on my phone to take the pic, then sent it to the local pharmacy for printing.

[@duncanking4680]

It took me three tries to get my passport photo accepted

[@agoogleviewer]

I suggest NOT driving in Italy, unless you are used to tight spaces.

[@deeperton]

...and then they decline your photo "just because", and make their crappy photo.

[@thepirateshoots]

In Germany there are strict rules for passport pics. Where are the eyes, how big is the head - that's 90% of the work, together with printing in the right size for the pass issuing authorities. Of course person should look straight into cam and don't smile. After a little experience with family and friends, I care less about the background perfect ly white. I'm just a hobbyist, but never where my photos rejected...... Looks too much Hollywood - no such criterion here!