Passport and ID photos, as a rule, require specific backgrounds — usually plain ones with no shadow. However, perfectly plain backgrounds are hard to find in real life outside photo studio settings. Even if you take a picture in front of a plain wall, you will likely have a shadow behind you.

Because of that, you will likely need to edit your background to fit the passport requirements before submitting it. In this article, we’ll see how you can do that quickly and easily.

Which background should passport photos have?

Each country usually has its own requirements for passport photo backgrounds. As a rule, though, it is a plain color with no shadow, as we have stated above. As for the color, many countries require light colors, like white, off-white, or light gray.

To ensure which background is needed for your passport photo, check the requirements on the official government or trusted professional services of passport photos.

How to take a DIY photo with a plain white background?

First, you will need to find a plain white matte background. For this purpose, you can use a plain white wall, door, or even white bed sheet or paper. Using sticky tape, you can attach the white bed sheet or paper on the wall. In any case, make sure there are no textures, like holes on walls or fold marks on the bed sheet or paper.

Then, to try to eliminate your shadow from the plain background, you can shine a light source toward the background. Ensure that this light source does not alter your background and matches the lighting tone that shines on your face.

Is it easy to change the background of your photo?

“Easy,” of course, is in the eyes of the beholder. For professional photo studios, changing backgrounds can be a quick process, while it may be harder for others, especially those without advanced photo editing programs.

You can edit your background using a program like Photoshop, for example. For less complicated photos, such as photos of people with straight hair, hair held back in a ponytail, or shaven hairstyles, it can be more accessible. For those with curly hair, it is usually harder to trace the hair and change the background following the bends of the silhouette.

A more straightforward approach can be using automatic photo background editors available online and for download, paid or free. All these programs have their own approaches and vary in features, including how easy they are to use. They also vary in accuracy, which refers to how accurately the service can understand which part of the photo is the background.

Online service for instant editing photo backgrounds

Online services are one of the easiest ways to change your photo’s background. You do not need to download software that you’re likely not going to use often anyway — except if you’re a professional photo service.

Some online services like Visafoto also use automated processes to change your photo’s background. Such services, therefore, give you a result with a new background quickly. When using online services, also ensure that your initial photo has good accuracy, which ensures that the background is determined correctly, so the software does not convert parts of your face or body instead.

Which other parameters are essential in passport photos besides the background?

A photo’s background is one of the most apparent parameters that photos need to satisfy. However, it is obviously not the only one. You will also need to pay attention to the size, head-to-frame proportions, and less technical requirements such as dress code, as well as the lack of red eyes and head tilt.

Visafoto also takes some of these other parameters: it sets the size and proportions and fixes red eyes and head tilt.

All in all, the background is not all there is: before submitting your passport photo, check the requirements and whether your photo satisfies them fully.