Mirroring in Passport Photos: Guidelines and Considerations for Image Quality

Reflection is the process of light bouncing back off a surface, while mirroring is the directed reflection of light. These terms are often used interchangeably.

Types of Mirroring

There are several forms of mirroring or reflection:

• Directed reflection: also known as mirroring, this involves the original image being reflected, as in a mirror.
• Diffuse reflection: in this form, the surface that causes the reflection is wavy, causing the reflection to be larger than the light source itself.
• Multiple reflection: this occurs when light is reflected in multiple directions, as in a rainbow where water droplets reflect sunlight in several directions.
• Internal reflection: in this form, the reflection remains visible within the same surface, such as a fish reflecting on the surface of water.
• Retroreflection: this is a combination of two reflections that allows the light to be reflected parallel to its original direction, as in road markings.

Rules for Mirroring in Passport Photos

Visible reflection on passport photos is prohibited. Accessories such as earrings and necklaces are allowed, but they should not reflect light.

Furthermore, there should be no reflections of light on your face or in the background. It is essential to use natural daylight, rather than artificial light, to avoid unwanted reflections.