Passport Photos - Seriously - What Photo Paper? Any Advice Appreciated

[David Nock]

Is it a joke? I'm renewing my Passport and the photos to be enclosed must have no watermarks on the back. Does that mean no photo paper branding? I've searched Kodak, Ilford, Fuji and HP. They all have the manufactures logo on the back. Do Photo Booths have special paper? I wouldn't think so. The passport office helpline haven't a clue what I'm talking about!
What a chore the administration of this country have made everything!

 

[anyweb]

its the same in this country (sweden), go to a photo processing shop that is licensed to do passport photographs, theyll have the correct blank backed photo paper

cheers
anyweb

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,

We went to jessops for ours they are very specific even about backgroud colour, where you are in the picture, size etc etc not worth trying to do it your self to have it sent back

 

[angus falconer]

I went to out local chemist who does them for a reasonable cost. There are lots of new rules which could catch you out if you are not aware of them - no smiling, no excees shadow, etc. Go to a pro - it's much less hassle.

 

[Myros]

pretty soon you'll

have to wear the clothes in the photo when you travel, to make you easier to match up.

 

[David Nock]

Yes, thanks for all the replies. Being a reasonable amateur photographer with a good photo printer, I've got the pic all ready, to exact dimensions, lighting, background etc. Trouble is with there being manufacturers backprinting on just about everything that I can find, it looks like you've all got the correct approach and in fact Myros might be right as well. I since checked the passport office website and there they say they are not accepting backprinting after 2006 and are working with manufacturers to resolve this. More information to follow on same page when resolved - Nothing!
Is this a new political solution to the population crisis - make people lose the will to live?

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Yes, thanks for all the replies. Being a reasonable amateur photographer with a good photo printer, I've got the pic all ready, to exact dimensions, lighting, background etc. Trouble is with there being manufacturers backprinting on just about everything that I can find, it looks like you've all got the correct approach and in fact Myros might be right as well. I since checked the passport office website and there they say they are not accepting backprinting after 2006 and are working with manufacturers to resolve this. More information to follow on same page when resolved - Nothing!
Is this a new political solution to the population crisis - make people lose the will to live?

Yet ANOTHER ticked box, added to the long list of reasons as to why we are abandoning the UK in January - permanently..!!

 

[Apial]

I went to out local chemist who does them for a reasonable cost. There are lots of new rules which could catch you out if you are not aware of them - no smiling, no excees shadow, etc. Go to a pro - it's much less hassle.

You would think.

Some friends of ours had their photos rejected twice that they had done at a professional photographic studio. They were very cross at the wasted time and expense. They were even more annoyed when they discovered that I had done all of my families photos on Tesco inkjet photo paper and had then accepted first time. That was in March 2006.

 

[David Nock]

I've been to Jessops today. Got 4 photos which are worse than mine for contrast and I'm also doubtful about the top of my head!!
But no backprinting so I'm gonna send 'em off and give Jessops what for if they come back.
Thanks all for basically commonsense replies.

 

[angus falconer]

You would think.

Some friends of ours had their photos rejected twice that they had done at a professional photographic studio. They were very cross at the wasted time and expense. They were even more annoyed when they discovered that I had done all of my families photos on Tesco inkjet photo paper and had then accepted first time. That was in March 2006.

Nightmare.

I did fine with pics - had nighmares with the forms (I was trying to get a last minute passport for my baby daughter).

(1) form one - countersignatory signed over the edge of the box - attempt aborted
(2) form two - second countersignatory miss-filled one line - Passpost office rejected it (and kept it!)
(3) form 3 - my wife miss-spelt my name (!) - attempt aborted
(4) for 4 - accepted at passport office

Passport arrived 24 hours before we left - PHEW

Then a few weeks later I left it very late to get a Russian visa so I could go and see England Russia football match in Moscow - more forms, photo's, queue's etc....

Memo to self - don't leave it so late next time....