Passport Photo . . . but I like it

[djonto]

Comments please - I know it is just a passport photo and he looks a bit glum, but is the shot OK?

[mblanton]

This photo will be rejected if it is submitted for a passport, and heres why.

1. Do the photos have to be in color? Yes, the photos to must be in color.

2. How big must the photos be? The photos must measure exactly 2 inches by 2 inches.

3. What pose should the photos show? The photo should show a clear, front view, full face of the customer. The customer should be in normal street attire, without hat or dark glasses against a plain white or off-white background. The customer should have a natural expression, mouth closed, and eyes open and looking directly ahead. Photos in which the face of the person being photographed is not in focus will not be accepted.

4. How big should the head be in the photo? The customer''s head, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair, should be between 1 inch and 1-3/8 inches. The head should be centered in the photo. The head of the person being photographed should not be tilted up, down or to the side. It should cover about 50% of the area of the photo.

5. Can eyeglasses be worn for the photo? Eyeglasses worn on a daily basis can be worn for the photo. However, there should be no reflections from the eyeglasses that obscures the eyes.

Sorry for the bad news, but I hope this helps. If you have any questions please follow this link to the U. S. Department of State.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

[drisley]

Djonto is in England.
Are these rules universal?

[symes]

The rules certainly arent the same because they are even different in Canada where photos in Balck and white are okay

[Technium]

UK rules are

1) Recent
2) 45mm x 35mm
3)Printed on plain white photo quality paper (not watermarked or embossed)
4) Close up of head and shoulders so your face takes up 65-75% of photo
5)Taken against a cream, off white, light grey plain background so that your features are clearly distinguishable against the background
6)printed at 1220 dpi
7)no reflections in spectacles

full rules can be found here

http://www.passport.gov.uk/downloads/PLE03_web_Mar05.pdf

[CyberPet]

B/w photo's are standard here in Sweden too. Same rules as in the UK as far as I can see. The black background has to go, plus the light in his face needs to be better. Here in Sweden there's also an additional rule, that part of your ear has to show (see my avatar, it's my passport picture - colorized for the forum).

[crusher420]

Yeah. In Canada, you can have either color or b/w photos. Tons of rules actually.

Canadian Passport Rules (http://www.pptc.gc.ca/passports/get_photo_specs_e.asp)

[Andy_T]

Nice image, apart from the glum look.

Guess the rule of thirds does not really apply to passport photos :lol:

Best regards,
Andy

[Wazza]

As of about 2-3 months ago, passports photo rules locally have also changed a fair amount.

Very strict on anything, such as no shadows, no smiling, showing a correct portion of face.

A local camera store I was speaking to, said MANY photos had been returned, with some angry customers.

I had my photo taken at a local chemist. It was like a Polaroid, and hated it so much, I went home, and took my own shot with my Sony point and shoot.

Of course, it's a bad shot. With a shadow, and I'm half smiling.

http://wazz*****scity.com/temp/passport_photo.jpg

I'm applying for a British passport soon, and will have to go through this dilemna again.

[djonto]

Thanks for the comments, but to clarify, the original shot IS in colour and the reason I mentioned it was for a passport was to explain the glum face and also the 'pose'

[Andy_T]

Wazza ... no smiling allowed ???

That is hilarious, IMHO :lol:
Doing everything to keep up the image of dignified New Zealanders, are you :wink:

Best regards,
Andy

[Gareth Copley]

I am English and my passport photo is Black and white - a quick and easy way to get rid of unsightly blemishes.

Matt is that your Father?

[Niall]

Here in Sweden there's also an additional rule, that part of your ear has to show

What is the reasoning behind this seemingly bizarre rule?

[CyberPet]

Niall, don't ask me why. I have no idea. I guess the passport officers remebers ears better than colors of eyes or something. Who knows. :D

A guess would be that each ear looks a bit different, you can change the color of your hair and eyes with chemicals, but you can't really change the size and shape of your ear.

[condyk]

I'm applying for a British passport soon, and will have to go through this dilemna again.

Can we swap? I'd love to go back to NZ :lol: :lol:

As to having an ear in shot ... that is very funny.

[cpemberton]

What is the reasoning behind this seemingly bizarre rule?

The USA also has this rule for permanent residence card (green card) photos. Don't know what the reason is though.