Whether you are going to another country or another continent, you need a passport. This travel document offers you a ticket to enter another territory. It has its own expiration date, so if you are over 16, your passport lasts for 10 years, but if you are under 15, then it is 5 years.
In addition to the documents that you must obtain when you want to get your passport, you also need to take a photo. In the digital era, there is no longer any need to go to state institutions in order to do this step, but you can do it in the comfort of your home.
However, considering that it is one of the most important international documents, it has its own rules that must be respected. Therefore, it is not possible for your passport photo to be your memory from the music festival.
But how should the passport photo look?
The size of the photo
Depending on the country, the size of the image itself also depends. In America, the required size is 2 inches x 2 inches, more precisely 51mm x 51mm. In the Netherlands, the required size is 35mm x 45mm, which is the same as in Pakistan. In order not to list each country separately, we advise you to check the required dimensions before this step.
Of course, if you remembered too late to do this thing, we have good news for you. Today, you have a large number of photo editing applications. So you also have tools that offer you to extend or reduce it depending on your needs. All you have to do is go to the app store and your problem will be solved by installing the application.
Angle
As we mentioned at the very beginning, you cannot choose your favorite memory from Coachella, but you have to fill in some forms. So when you take a picture you have to take care of the angle.
Here are a few things you need to keep in mind:
- Full face in the shot
- Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (this of course applies to the United States of America)
- Distance between 15-20mm from ear to ear
- Exposed shoulders and chest must be avoided
This means that a close-up shot of your face or if your head is not fully visible means that you have not done a good job. So before taking a picture, pay attention to these things.
Background
The background behind you must generally be white, but if you are pale-skinned, then a pastel color is acceptable. Also, if you have gray or white hair, for example, a light blue color is recommended.
Therefore, backgrounds that are too bright or fluorescent backgrounds are out of the question. If you have just realized that your photo fits according to all the previous standards, but there is a tree behind you, we have a solution for you.
There are websites and applications that solve that problem for you. However, it is important not to lose the quality of the image if you decide to change the background. If you are struggling with the other steps, read more about the procedure that will satisfy all the criteria of your passport photo.
Lighting
First of all, remove everything that creates a shadow in the background or on your face. In addition, you must pay attention to whether your image is overexposed, or perhaps even underexposed. Reflection is also not allowed and does not fulfill the given criteria. There must also be no reflection on the face.
It would be best to do this process in a place with lots of natural light or just get your ring light out to help you with this.
If all of the above is not present in your picture, we have good news for you, and that is that you have met the lighting criteria.
Accessories
Accessories like hats, headbands or glowing horns from a rave party do not look good in this image. Head covering is allowed only for religious purposes and in most countries, there is an additional procedure for this.
An additional form is usually filled out in order to resolve this procedure. Regardless of the hijab, for example, it is important that your facial features are visible. More precisely, from the bottom of the chin to the top, the face must not be covered.
Glasses
If you are wearing glasses, you can leave them on when taking photos. Although this is also one of the steps that depend from country to country.
Those states that allow glasses in pictures require you to make sure your eyes are visible regardless of the glasses. Therefore, if you have glasses with tinted lenses, take them off immediately. What is a frequent occurrence in people who wear glasses is the reflection that occurs when taking pictures with a camera and flash.
Therefore, if you do not have anti-reflective glass on your glasses, be sure to take them off before this procedure.
Facial expression
And finally, something you might already know, if not, here’s what it’s all about. We know you care about looking good or as decent as possible in a picture, so we have to guide you on a few things.
No, smiling is not allowed. More precisely, the mouth must be closed. The facial expression must be natural. A frowning, scared or overly happy facial expression is not a good option. You need to look straight into the camera and be calm.
So, as natural as possible, but not too serious. No matter how you take a picture, it won’t turn out well. Let’s be honest, who looked good in the passport photo?
Conclusion
In order to meet all the necessary requirements for this mini-endeavor, it is completely normal to have a slight nervous breakdown during the whole process. All jokes aside, today there are applications as well as websites that perfectly take care of the fact that your image meets all the requirements. In order to save yourself a lot of trouble, it is best to go for this option.