Passport photos

[My2Girls66]

In my quest to save a few dollars and a trip to a store that takes passport photos(we already have passports which I paid $15 each for photos a few years back but we are finishing up our scuba certification tomorrow morning and they need 2 passport type photos for the id card). I ran across this really easy site that I thought may interest someone. There are certain guidelines that have to be followed for actual passport photos so be sure to read them to make sure they are acceptable. It looks like Snapfish runs it. You can have them print them and send you the photos or download and print yourself.
http://www.epassportphoto.com/

 

[tekoa]

CVS will take your passport photos for $7.99. The online service seems like a hassle to save $2.00. They give you 4 photos. A friend applied at the local Post Office and got her passport back in 8 days. It seems the passport office has resolved their previous delays.

 

[cmwade77]

Most Post Offices (where most people go to apply anyway) will take the photos for about $8.00, then you get everything done in one stop.

 

[My2Girls66]

For passport renewals you don't go to the post office(there are a few exceptions). You send in the renewal form which you can get online, 2 new pictures and your previous passport. All can be done from home.
The program was no hassle at all. I took the picture- uploaded it into the program. It took maybe a few minutes. I printed them on my printer. Cost me only ink and 2 sheets of 4x6 photo paper and didn't have to leave my house. They came out of the printer sized 2"x2" with the face 1"- exactly as they are supposed be for an acceptable passport photo.

 

[Tuffcookie]

A friend & I are going to be applying for our passports so we can drive to Canada.

I will be taking our photos and printing them out. I have a Canon Ip5000 photo printer. What selection, in the photo size, will get me the size I need (2 x2).

I could probably experiment but I thought it might be easier to ask you guys!

Thanks!

TC

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I don't want to discourage you from taking your passport pictures, but the time and effort may not be worth it. By the time you experiment with the actual photo size, the print settings, photo paper, etc., it may be just easier to go to Walgreens and get it taken. It takes only a few minutes, and for $8.99 you get two photos. Just a thought.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Well, what the hey, I had time to spend figuring this thing out.

I took my photos, used Picasa to crop and printed the selected photo on 4 x 6 photo paper. From there I measured from bottom of chin to top of head to make sure it fit the qualifications required and then trimmed the photo down to a 2 x 2 size.

This is what I ended up with and it didn't cost a dime!

TC

 

[handicap18]

It probably did cost more than a dime. Maybe about 50 cents for the cost of the ink you used and the paper.

Good way to save about $8.

 

[Kae]

Well, what the hey, I had time to spend figuring this thing out.

I took my photos, used Picasa to crop and printed the selected photo on 4 x 6 photo paper. From there I measured from bottom of chin to top of head to make sure it fit the qualifications required and then trimmed the photo down to a 2 x 2 size.

This is what I ended up with and it didn't cost a dime!

TC

Looks good but you should go to the passport website there are requirements/rules for the photos such as size of head & how much background can be showing.

Kae

 

[Geoff_M]

Looks good but you should go to the passport website there are requirements/rules for the photos such as size of head & how much background can be showing.

Kae

See the Application Form for details. The photo must be 2" x 2" and the length from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin must be 1" to 1 3/8". The background must be "plain" and I believe light colored. Also, glare on glasses can cause rejection. Also, no Photoshopping image details.

 

[Tuffcookie]

They certainly have a lot of requirements! From the government web site:

7 Steps to Successful Photos


Frame subject with full face, front view, eyes open

Make sure photo presents full head from top of hair to bottom of chin; height of head should measure 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm)

Center head within frame (see Figure 2 below)

Make sure eye height is between 1-1/8 inches to 1-3/8 inches (28 mm and 35 mm) from bottom of photo

Photograph subject against a plain white or off-white background

Position subject and lighting so that there are no distracting shadows on the face or background

•Head should be directly facing the camera
•Photo should capture slightly above top of hair to middle of chest
•Eyes should be open and looking at the camera
•Eyeglasses should be worn if normally used by the subject
•Glare on eyeglasses can usually be avoided with a slight upward or downward tilt of the head
•Background should be plain white or off-white
•Include headpieces if worn daily for religious purposes; they should not obscure or cast shadows on the eyes or any other part of the face

•Brightness and contrast should be adjusted to present the subject and background accurately
•Photos without proper contrast or color may obscure unique facial features
•Color should reproduce natural skin tones
•Fluorescent or other lighting with unbalanced color may cause unwanted color cast in the photo
•Appropriate filters can eliminate improper color balance

•Over-exposure or under-exposure may render the photo unusable
•Three-point balanced lighting is strongly recommended (see Figure 1)
•Facial features should be clearly evident in the photo
•Lighting should be adjusted to avoid shadows on the face or background
•Diffuse sources of light , such as umbrella lights, are preferable to point sources

•High- resolution photography and printing are strongly recommended
•Both conventional and digital photography are acceptable, and conventional or digital printing methods may be used
•Resulting print should exhibit a continuous-tone quality regardless of the print method used (dye sublimation, ink jet, laser, etc.)
•Digitally printed photos should be produced without visible pixels or dot patterns
•Fine facial features should be discernible
•The entire face should be in focus

Encourage subject to have a natural expression

I hadn't measured the distance from eyes to bottom of photo. I went back & checked that and I am good to go!

TC

 

[Tuffcookie]

I had my appt at the post office today for my passport.

The lady behind the counter praised my pictures! She held the template over the photo and it was spot on!

TC

 

[ThurlFan]

Good job! I've done passport pictures for my family as well. With a teenage daughter, it's not so much about the money as it is about having about a hundred shots to choose from so she doesn't 'look hideous' on her passport

I also received compliments from the staff person that processed the applications. They said they see a lot of poor quality pictures from people that plunked down the cash at Walgreens, CVS, or wherever.

 

[My2Girls66]

I used this website to do my kids passport photos. It sizes photos you take properly and its free.
http://www.epassportphoto.com/