I just used one of those booths, but I'm not 100% sure if I've done it right.
Also the machine recommended that I take off my glasses, which meant I couldn't really see the markers for positioning 100% well (but it's not like I couldn't see them at all).
Image is here for reference... is it ok?
[edit: I think the image is 1mm off, so I'll go retake it... I'll get a company to do it for me because I don't trust the booth at my local Tesco]
1)
The NTL guidance here [1] says "Please read these guidance notes and the separate UK Visas and Immigration photography guidance", but I cannot find such a document.
Does anyone know where that is?
2)
I read the passport photo guidance, and it contradicts the advice on the booth.
Is there any restriction on ears being visible? Mine are somewhat hidden in the photo I accepted (did not realize until after) and my hair is at the length where it is too short to tie up and too long to leave everything uncovered.
3)
I think the size is slightly wrong (by 1mm). But it is not obvious, because as I am not bald, the crown of my head is not visible.
The user-interface on the booth was not very good, as it did not have a ruler on the photo screen.
It had one oval, but it wasn't obvious if the oval demonstrated the upper or lower bounds of the height of the face, as it did not say if the oval was 34mm in height or 29mm in height...
The passport photo guidance says the chin-crown length must be >29mm.
As someone who did a maths degree at Cambridge and works as a software developer, this whole experience has been very frustrating for me. Everything seems to be ill-defined and lacking precision... but anyway, what can you do.
4)
My shoulders are uneven, because I had to press the button with one hand. I don't think this matters, but if it does, someone do tell me.
My hunch is that I should get some contact lenses and give the photo another go and also mark a ruler on the screen for the benefit of future users.
Apparently Timpson do it, so I'll just go to them.
Stupid £5 con machine. It's like a microcosm of the rest of the immigration process.
thanks
[1]
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... _11-16.pdf