Some people are photogenic and others look better in person. However, most people are self-conscious about the way they appear in photographs. Passport photos are no exception. Many people don’t like the way they look in their passports – with good reason. The problem with passport photos is that they require a neutral expression. For some people it is hard not to smile in a photograph. For others, a neutral expression is simpler to achieve.
According to a study at Glasgow University, when a person tries to give a neutral expression for a passport photo, it actually makes them less recognizable and can even distort their facial features.
Biometric passports contain data including facial information. There are certain measurements that are used in passports to identify the person in the photo. For example, passport photos contain biometric data that measures the distance between the eyes and nose. There are other measurements that are contained in the passport photo data to help identify the passport holder.
The purpose of the biometric data is to assist border patrol in recognizing the passport holder, but the Glasgow University study hints that the passport technology can use an upgrade. Biometric passport data will surely improve over the next few years and the improvements will be seen in the latest US passports that are issued.
If you are interested in getting a passport or visa, give us a call at (212) 643-9305. Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester County, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.