Comprehensive 2D learning images are collected for learning subjects. Standardized 2D gallery images of many gallery subjects are collected, one per gallery subject. A 2D query image of a query subject is collected, of arbitrary viewing aspect, illumination, etc. 3D learning models, 3D gallery models, and a 3D query model are determined from the learning, gallery, and query images. A transform is determined for the selected learning model and each gallery model that yields or approximates the query image. The transform is at least partly 3D, such as 3D illumination transfer or 3D orientation alignment. The transform is applied to each gallery model so that the transformed gallery models more closely resemble the query model. 2D transformed gallery images are produced from the transformed gallery models, and are compared against the 2D query image to identify whether the query subject is also any of the gallery subjects.