 |
Passports - Uruwhenua
Application Forms and Fees
How to Apply for a New Zealand Passport
Photographic Requirements
Passports for Children
Preventing Children Being Taken from New Zealand
Lost or Stolen Passports
Emergency Travel Document
Other Services
Important Notices for New Zealand Passport Holders
How to Contact Us
|
|
|
Photographic Image Requirements
'Hot Tips' for taking Travel Document and Citizenship Photos The Department of Internal Affairs Identity Services has specific photo standards for New Zealand Travel Documents and Applications for New Zealand Citizenship.
The photographic guidelines match standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The ICAO standards were revised to accommodate the introduction of the chip-enhanced e-Passport with the potential to use Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) as part of border facilitation.
A photo of the holder is an essential part of a Travel Document. A good clear photo means the holder can be easily identified as they cross international borders. Providing acceptable passport photos will also help avoid delays in the processing of your passport.
Please read these 'Hot Tips', which contains photo examples as well as additional information on 'Camera Subject and Position' and 'Capture Guidelines' including: lens and setting requirements and printed output requirements for Digital, 35mm and Instant Photo Cameras.
The following list of problems and solutions is not an exhaustive list and will be added to from time to time. Please contact us if you have a photo problem that you would like to discuss.
Background Shadows / Lighting / Distances
- A good set-up to reduce background shadows and flash on face is to use an area with a low bright white ceiling and a hot-shoe mounted flash with rotating head to bounce light off the ceiling.
- For digital cameras use a 'flash sync' socket and cable to position flash along side camera.
- Alternatively try turning off the flash and just use the bright overhead lighting.
- Use a separation light, positioned approximately ½ metre out from background, at subject's lower to mid back level, shining on background.
- To avoid the background area around the subject becoming too light (through the use of the separation light), ensure the separation light is on a low power setting. You may need to experiment a little here.
- Position subject 1 to 1 ½ metres from backdrop to reduce shadowing and maximise use of separation light.
- Allow 1 to 1 ½ metres distance between camera and subject.
Red Eye
- Red eye is an indication that the angle of the flash to subject and back to lens is too acute (flash too close to the lens). This is common with pop-up flashes. Move the flash further away from the camera lens.
- Use a softer light source and consider bouncing light. A good set up for this is to use an area with a low bright white ceiling and a rotating (hot-shoe mounted flash with rotating head) flash to bounce light off the ceiling.
- For digital cameras use a 'flash sync' socket and cable to position flash along side camera.
- Alternatively try turning off the flash and just use the bright overhead lighting.
- Allow 1 to 1 ½ metres distance between camera and subject.
Image too dark / under exposed, or too light / over exposed
- Review the exposure setting or the flash intensity.
- Consider a light diffuser attachment.
Achieving a constant background colour
- Use colorama paper or material for backdrop or,
- A pre-painted pull down screen or blind,
- Paint a section of wall or,
- Paint and attach lightweight particleboard to a portable frame.
- Trying to create a constant background colour using colour lighting alone can be problematic.
- Use a separation light, positioned approximately ½ metre out from background, at subject's lower to mid back level, shining on background.
- Position subject 1 to 1 ½ metres from backdrop to reduce shadowing and maximise use of separation light.
Wrong photo size / head size (photo examples)
- The standard photo size must be 45mm x 35mm portrait.
- We encourage you to keep the head size within the maximum 80% and minimum 70% of the photo size and to ensure there is a clear gap (visible background) around the entire head, including the hair and/or ears. Please see photo examples (pdf 644kb) for further information.
- A clear acetate template for checking correct photo and head size is available free of charge from The Department of Internal Affairs. Otherwise the measurements should be checked with a ruler. Contact us to order a template.
- To get the sizing right, you can measure the distance from lens to subject after taking some experimental shots. By standing or using a tripod over the spot, you can be sure of the right fixed distance.
Distance between subject and camera and use of zoom function
(The photo requirements state: "Place camera approximately 1 metre from the subject" and "Digital zoom functions must be turned off and not used, as interpolated zoom images can become distorted.)
- Yes you will have to use the zoom but most cameras have optical zoom as well as digital zoom.
- Optical zoom is fine as the quality of picture does not change however digital zoom causes poor picture quality therefore it must not be used.
Difficulty in obtaining a good photo of a baby
- Lay the baby flat on a suitably coloured sheet, which has been firmly fixed to a base or the ground. (Note: A crumpled sheet as background is not acceptable).
Wearing of religious head covers, hats, headbands, bandannas, scarves, hair covering eyes or edges of face, wearing of thick or heavy rimmed glasses or tinted lenses, glasses on top of head.
- Be without head covering, hat, head band, bandanna or scarf except for religious or medical reasons.
|
