Recommended guidelines for candidate photographs
The following guidelines are a recommendation only. The decision to accept the photographs submitted by a candidate is at the administrator's discretion.
- Candidates should provide two identical colour photographs that are no more than six months old
- Black and white photographs cannot be accepted
- The image must be clearly visible i.e. the photographs must not be stamped, signed / written on, marked, folded, stapled over or damaged in any way
Size
Pose
- A close-up of the head and top of shoulders (70-80 percent of the photo)
- Looking straight towards the camera with face square on
- Both ears showing or both edges of the face visible if hair covers the ears
- NOT portrait style
- NOT looking over one shoulder
- Head not tilted or rotated
Photo quality
- Print quality of professional standard
- High quality paper and colour image
- No ink or marks on the image
Lighting and focus
- No shadows or glare on the image or background
- Good colour balance that shows skin tones naturally
- A plain, light coloured background (beige, white, blue background are recommended, not red)
- no objects in the background
- no patterned background
- Appropriate brightness and contrast
- Uniform lighting
- Clear and sharp focus
- No 'red eye'
Expression
- A neutral expression with mouth closed
- no smiling, squinting, frowning or raised eyebrows
- Nothing covering the face
- Eyes open and clearly visible
- no hair covering the eyes
Glasses, headcovers, clothing
- Nothing should hide the outlines of the eyes, nose or mouth
- If wearing glasses, eyes must be clearly shown
- frames must not cover the eyes
- no flash reflection or glare off the glasses
- no tinted lenses
- Please note : From 1 January 2010, all photos submitted with application forms must show candidates without glasses.
- Head coverings worn for religious reasons are permitted, however facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of face must be clearly shown.
