We often receive inquiries from customers asking how to improve the quality of the photos for their photo ID cards. Image
quality for photo ID cards is dependent on a variety of factors including:
- lighting
- type of camera
- camera quality
- TWAIN driver utilization
A TWAIN driver is a software application that allows you to link your digital cameras directly to your ID card software. By using TWAIN compliant cameras and installing TWAIN drivers, you can instantly view, take, and manipulate photos from your webcam or digital camera with your ID card software. Some TWAIN drivers even come with convenient face finding features that automatically crop around a person's head. Without the TWAIN driver, you'll need to take the photo, download it to disk, crop it and then import it to your ID card creation software.
While manipulating the photo within the ID card creation software can have an impact on the quality of your images, image quality is mostly determined by which camera you're using and even where you're using it. Photo ID webcams work great when used properly in the right setting. Their low cost is a benefit and (unlike digital cameras that require a TWAIN driver) all card design software allows them to easily integrate directly in to the photo field on the card. However, as with most bargains, there are some shortcomings. Most webcams are only 1.3 megapixels, the same as your cell phone.
We've all taken pictures with our cell phones, so you're familiar with the quality of the image they provide. Most cell phones don't come equipped with a flash and must be used in a room that has excellent lighting near an exterior window or under fluorescent light. Otherwise the image will appear too dark and fuzzy just as with a webcam. A good test to determine if a webcam will produce the image quality you seek would be to take a picture using your cell phone in the room in which you're going to set up your ID system. If you're satisfied with the quality of the image your cell phone produces, a photo ID webcam will suit you.
A significant upgrade in ID card photo imagery can be provided by a digital camera coupled together with a TWAIN driver. Nowadays, most digital cameras are 10 megapixels or better - quite a jump from the 1.3 provided by the webcam. The lens provides a zoom feature which allows you to focus in on your subject and create higher resolution images to work with. All digital cameras come with a flash to provide optimal lighting.
The crème de la crème of the ID photo capture devices is the VALCam Pan - Tilt - Zoom camera. These professional series cameras are designed to easily capture the highest quality digital images for ID cards as quickly and efficiently as possible. Everything is controlled by the touch of your mouse - simply hit the capture button and the camera will auto adjust, the auto light will go on and a high resolution image with perfect skin tones will be obtained, even in the most adverse conditions.
Contact an ID Professional today at (800) 321-4405 or check out ID Wholesaler's selection of ID cameras and to see which ID camera is right for you.