Online Passport Photos.

Robisere

OH and myself have just had to renew passports, and decided to use the HMPassport Office online service. This is a Beta service but easy to use and efficient in operation. Where it fell down for one of us, was in the photo, which has to be from a photo shop or a booth, specifically for Passport photos. They now carry a digital code: either to apply the code during the online application process, or download the digital photo. We chose to visit a local photography shop, which advertised a passport photo service. These were taken and sent to our email addresses, then downloaded from the emails and saved for downloading to HM Pasport service. My photo passed the online application check, OH's did not. We returned to the shop and another was taken. That also failed. Then my wife went to a photographic studio for another photo. It looked much better, was actually less expensive and passed the check.

Consider the difference between the two places. The first was a crowded shop with a lot of technology: people downloading and printing family photos, others handing over photos for framing or collecting photos. There was no closed area to take our photos: it was out in the shop, with people coming and going, reflections and shadows everywhere. The environment, IMO, was not conducive to the successful results necessary. A very young girl took the photos, obviously a family member of the shop owner.

In the studio, a professional photographer took my wife into a quiet, enclosed area, checked out lighting, background and shadows, and took 3 photos, sending them to OH's email. The first one passed the checks and our passports will be with us soon.

The lesson I think, is that the online HMPassport service is very good, but the applicant must make certain that the photo is good enough. As it is digital, the information contained in the download does not allow any editing of the photo, as the Properties are locked and the photo will be rejected.

happyandcontented

We just used a mobile phone, followed the guidelines, uploaded the photo, it passed the check, and the passport was turned around within a week. Great service we thought.

forgotmyname

My daughters photo was done the same, i even edited it slightly in photo software.

Taken on a fairly light coloured wall, but made lighter in the photo software, a few retouches on her face etc.

Makes you wonder how much photoshopping you could do for it to
be acceptable?

peachyprice

I've been taken our for years, never had one rejected, I certainly wouldn't be paying a photographers studio to take them!

pink_pirlie

I took mine on my iPhone and uploaded it. Passed with no issues. Passport back within 6 calendar days.

peter_the_piper

OH's went through ok just by taking a piccie at home. Mine, however totally failed and I had to go to a photo shop in Tesco. The passport software could not find my head. I worked it out that its because of my very white hair, up against the recommended white background and the poor software could not see where my head ended and the wall began.

meer53

peter_the_piper wrote: »

OH's went through ok just by taking a piccie at home. Mine, however totally failed and I had to go to a photo shop in Tesco. The passport software could not find my head. I worked it out that its because of my very white hair, up against the recommended white background and the poor software could not see where my head ended and the wall began.

I had the same issue with my hair colour too.

Le_Kirk

Recently used the service to renew Mrs Le_Kirk's passport and went to a photo booth with the digital download available. Filled in application form and uploaded photo. Back came the response - this photo is blurred, do you still wish to use it. Yes, we said and had to fill in a dialogue box explaining why. We said because it was taken in a specialist photo booth designed specifically for taking passport photos. Went through without a hitch. Was impressed with the rest of the service and how well we were kept informed of progress. Took just over one week from photo taking to receiving new passport.

wazza99

Mobile phone photo against my room wall, fully accepted, great service i thought.

Spivved1987

You need also to be aware that the 'robot' online can accept your digital photo, only for it to be rejected later. I uploaded a photo, told it was okay. Thought that was it, job's a good'un. Nearly three weeks later got an e-mail to say I needed to submit another one.


Apparently digital photos can pass the robot test but fail when examined by the human. Frustrating.

boliston

I got someone to use their phone to take my passport photo but it took a few goes to get one without shadows and evenly lit - it passed first time but i expect one with shadows would easily fail