Being reminded not to smile during your photo may seem terse, but apparently there is a good reason behind it. According to an expert, software is not made to handle your .
Speaking to the , Karolina Turowska, a biometric and at , explained the seemingly arbitrary rule. She said: “The main reason for banning smiling is the introduction of facial recognition software at airports and other border control checkpoints”. You may have noticed that automated passport scanners are rising in prevalence over. While computer scanners boost efficiency (and decrease anxiety) at the airport, they are not natural experts at facial recognition.
According to the expert: “Algorithms don't work as we do. To compare a 3D face with a 2D passport photo, they need to pinpoint and measure the users' facial features. It includes the distance between the pupils, ears, nose and mouth, the mouth's and the eyes' width, and many others.”
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While these systems are incredibly advanced at facial recognition, smiling does slightly alter facial proportions. Making it more difficult for computers to read facial expressions than a ‘neutral’ expression would. Not smiling for your passport photo is a fairly predominant rule, upheld across the Atlantic and many other countries. While you can get away with the slightest upturn of the list in the UK and North America, some countries are far stricter. , for example, does not accept passports that show even the corners of the mouth upturned, according to Turowska.
, for example, does not accept passports that show even the corners of the mouth upturned, according to Turowska. If you’re unsure of the rules for the UK, the government website provides very clear guidelines. According to the Gov.uk website, you should not be wearing glasses in your photo unless you absolutely have to. In that case, you have to ensure your glasses are not tinted and that your eyes are not covered by the frames or any glare, reflection or shadow. Sunglasses are also not permitted.
When it comes to the quality of your digital passport photo, if must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, as well as at least 50KB and no more than 10MB. These dimensions are standard for passport photo booths and photo offices, so you won’t need to worry about requesting this yourself.
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You are required to get a new passport photo every time you get a new passport. When submitting your passport photo, it also needs to be clear that it was captured within the last month. Below are a few more general guidelines to be aware of before your next photo-op.
Rules for digital passport photosbe facing forwards and looking straight at the camera
have a plain expression and your mouth closed
have your eyes open and visible
not have hair in front of your eyes
not have a head covering (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons)
not have anything covering your face
not have any shadows on your face or behind you
