In the age of digital photography and graphic editing software, creating a passport photo that adheres to the stringent requirements set by governments worldwide has become an increasingly accessible task.
However, sometimes access to such tools can become risky as people can abuse them, misusing image editing software like Adobe Photoshop to manipulate passport photos. This is why governments create passport photo guidelines so that the citizens do not make such mistakes.
Passport photos cannot be photoshopped. They must show your natural, everyday look. Enhancing or retouching your passport pictures in any way will cause them to be rejected. Therefore you must either go to a professional photographer or take your photo online using specific passport photo editing apps.
What if I Do Not Like How I Look? Can I Use Photoshop to Look Better?
No, you should not use Photoshop or any other image editing software to enhance your beauty or make cosmetic changes to your face in a passport photo. Passport photo regulations and guidelines are typically very strict, requiring the photo to represent your natural and unaltered likeness. Any significant alterations to your appearance may lead to the rejection of your passport application or legal consequences.
If you do not like how you look in your passport photo, you can retake a your passport photo and make sure you are satisfied with it.
What Can Be Photoshopped in Passport Photos?
Here is what you are not allowed to do if you want to use Photoshop for your passport photos.
| What is not allowed: | |
| Background | Add, remove, or alter objects in the background. |
| Facial features | Alter facial features, makeup, or appearance. |
| Lighting and contrast | Create artificial lighting or excessive contrast. |
| Head size and position | Resize or reposition the head unnaturally. |
| Expression | Add smiles, frowns, or other expressions. |
| Clothing | Alter clothing style or appearance. |
| Glasses and accessories | Remove or add eyeglasses, headwear, or accessories. |
| Shadows and glare | Create artificial lighting or eliminate natural shadows. |
| Skin retouch | Alter skin texture or complexion. |
| Background alternations | Remove objects from the background. |
| Background effects | Add patterns, textures, or graphics to the background. |
Can I Use Photoshop to Fix the Photo Dimensions Without Altering My Face?
Resizing and cropping the photo to meet the required dimensions is a common and acceptable practice when creating passport photos, especially if the photo is taken online. In such situations, you might use Photoshop to adjust the dimensions of your passport photo to make sure it fits the specified size and format.
Keep in mind that you cannot, under any circumstances, use Photoshop to make changes to your face, clothes, or background. This can only be used for getting the right photo dimensions.