Retake guide
Passport photo rejected for shadows
Uneven light puts a shadow on the cheek, eye socket, or wall.
Why the authority rejects this
Biometric checks and human reviewers both flag a shadowed face as ‘not a true likeness’ or a non-plain background.
What to do
- Face a window or two lamps at 45 degrees. Avoid a single overhead bulb.
- Stand forward of the wall so your body does not shade the backdrop.
- Turn off beautify modes that lift shadows by inventing skin texture.