Passport Photos
I get asked occasionally by friends to take photos for passport renewals. I have always declined and directed them to the nearest photo booth! Mainly because of the potential hassle of photos not being accepted by the Passport Office.
However as everything is digitised these days, and paper copies of photos are not required, I wonder if I should give it a go? The rules seem fairly straightforward and you don't even have to crop the photo: https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports
Does anyone do this for friends? Any tips/pitfalls? Thanks.
However as everything is digitised these days, and paper copies of photos are not required, I wonder if I should give it a go? The rules seem fairly straightforward and you don't even have to crop the photo: https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports
Does anyone do this for friends? Any tips/pitfalls? Thanks.
Personally I see a load of hassle for not much return on this one. Ive had passport applications returned my last two applications (last time twice). All three because of the picture.
Fortunately at no cost as I have them checked at post office before sending.
Fortunately at no cost as I have them checked at post office before sending.
I photographed Bill for his on line passport renewal last year and everything went through smoothly.
I have just renewed my own passport on line. Bill took my photo, we were careful to use very even light against a plain cream background.
Applying on line, the photo is automatically checked. Two photos from the first attempt were rejected as 'poor' - I was informed that they were too dark (they were correctly exposed) and that my mouth was open (it wasn't). So we tried again.
The second attempt, with a near-identical photo, passed as 'good'.
After the first failure I discussed this with John at LCE at Gosforth, Bill was buying from them at the time. He reported that the on line process is extremely unpredictable. With some faces it has been impossible to get a photo that passes the automatic examination, whereas a printed copy will be accepted.
I understand that the system for professional photographers now is that they register with the Passport Office and have the means to check a photo with their system, if it is acceptable a code is issued which the applicant quotes when applying on line.
I have just renewed my own passport on line. Bill took my photo, we were careful to use very even light against a plain cream background.
Applying on line, the photo is automatically checked. Two photos from the first attempt were rejected as 'poor' - I was informed that they were too dark (they were correctly exposed) and that my mouth was open (it wasn't). So we tried again.
The second attempt, with a near-identical photo, passed as 'good'.
After the first failure I discussed this with John at LCE at Gosforth, Bill was buying from them at the time. He reported that the on line process is extremely unpredictable. With some faces it has been impossible to get a photo that passes the automatic examination, whereas a printed copy will be accepted.
I understand that the system for professional photographers now is that they register with the Passport Office and have the means to check a photo with their system, if it is acceptable a code is issued which the applicant quotes when applying on line.
I did my own and my wife's. I carefully read and followed their guidance and it was all OK. No need for elaborate lighting or camera.
Dave
Dave
I also did my own (the last two times) and no problems at all.
I did one for a neighbour a few months back, who successfully applied online, which is a lot easier than the old method. Medium-sized softbox tilted 45 degrees down, more or less on the lens axis, with a small reflector to fill shadows under the chin, which she held. Standing a foot or so away from a plain, light-coloured (but not white) wall. What the website didn't tell you is that there is a maximum resolution they accept, so don't export at max res if you've got a 40MP+ sensor!
as mentioned above, if the guidelines are followed, they will be accepted. I do passport photos as well as visa photos, never had a problem with any being returned.
also my own passport photo and visa photographs are all "selfies!"
also my own passport photo and visa photographs are all "selfies!"
I have been doing passport photos for years, just make them the specified size and the correct colour background. I usually put 8 on to a 6x4, take a memory stick put it in the photo machine in boots chemist. 40 pence, then cut them out.
I have done a passport photo before both for myself and my Mum.
It is simple enough to do and only for the cost of printing on a 6 x 4 inch print as opposed to the cost of the booth.
Common sense, care and following the guidlines will ensure the photo is not rejected.
It is simple enough to do and only for the cost of printing on a 6 x 4 inch print as opposed to the cost of the booth.
Common sense, care and following the guidlines will ensure the photo is not rejected.
Interesting thought. There are apps for Android too e.g.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zmobileapps.passportphoto
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zmobileapps.passportphoto
No Issues, i had my 10 year old take mine.
The key seems to be even lighting and a non pure white background. The passport service upload did all the cropping etc.
The key seems to be even lighting and a non pure white background. The passport service upload did all the cropping etc.
