Most of us probably look better when we smile.

Unfortunately smiling and other facial expressions also tend to make any given individual look very different from one expression to the next, which I suspect is the source of concern for those in charge of Canadian security, and for all I know other countries as well. Smiling/frowning distorts facial features - a smile puffs up our cheeks and compresses the area around our eyes, a frown deepens the nasolabial folds and furrows the brow. So it seems the idea is to have identification take place as much as possible under controlled conditions.

The new guidelines also include strict controls on lighting and resolution (no more over/under exposures or fuzzy photos) and directives about head gear. Turbans and head scarves are okay, as are most regular eyeglasses, but glasses with dark lenses and veils that obscure the face are not.

The story originated in a comedian's column in a newspaper in Canada, Toronto I think. It was poking fun at the stereotype of Canadians.

Canadians can express emotion?

Who knew?

That's how funny the column was.

DougP


While I agree that sometimes our government agencies are comedic, the story is factual.

http://www.ppt.gc.ca/passports/get_photo_specs_e.asp

I don't see how you can be surprised at how your passport photo turns out, you are the one who submits it to them. Last time I renewed mine I took a few retakes until I liked the picture, like you said, dln, you have to live with it for many years.

I look better in my passport picture than I do now in real life, lol. It was about 8 years ago and I look more pleasant than I do now, I can't remember why I was so pleasant that day.

FYI: I've just had my photo taken for renewal and was asked "for which country." (US) I inquired why she was asking and was told that the requirements vary from nation to nation. The Japanese are NOT to smile and some countries require half-profile instead of straight on. Forget what else she told me, but even if Canadian report is a joke there are differences in photo requirements depending on where the passport is issued.

The Candadian requirements: http://www.ppt.gc.ca/passports/get_photo_specs_e.asp

Mine isn't bad but it is 9 years old! Even worse is my driver's license..the picture is 16 years old...it looks like my daughter's!

We've just had a case here in FL ..where a woman wanted to be totaled veiled for her picture..after several 100 thousands dollars of money and time..it was finally judged..if you want to drive you have to have a full face photo! Driving is a privelege not a right so comply with the law.

Not passport but ID

I had to renew my drivers license and the picture was taken at the DMV. I had to take off my glasses.

The first thing I put on in the morning are my glasses and the last thing that I take off at night.

My wife looked at the picture and asked "Who's that?"

ed..I know exactly what your wife mean! My DH is never without his glasses ...he looks totally differnet and not my DH without them!

I had my CDN passport renewed 6 months ago and I have a big smile on my face and it wasn't a problem. The pictures I hate are the US immigration ones that are profile with your right ear showing.

I renewed in March and I was allowed to smile but I had to have my eyes wide-open. It's the goofiest passport photo I've seen, I look like a deer in headlights!

ouch, lol

My gorgeous 9y/old looks on her passport like retard. I do not even want to mention myself. My husband looks OK, though.
The funny part is that my and my kid passports were made in Sears, where the same lady took my daughter's picture for the modeling agency a month ago and those were excepted like "super".

What is wrong with taking passport picture ? Like I said - the same hands -opposite result !

On my last passport renewal, I used a photo which I had taken at Gatwick airport on return from vacation -- a great photo. I was relaxed and smiling (which is or was okay for US passports).

The only reason I took the photo to begin with was for my Mom who always says "I never see any pictures of you on vacation" so as I was at the airport for my return flight, I saw the photo booth and took a picture for Mom -- it printed I think one small approx wallet sized and four passport sized photos. Since my passport was up for renewal that year, it worked out great. I now make a habit of looking for the photo booths in the airport when I return from London and always take a photo so I have current ones....plus it makes Mom happy. And the photos are always amazingly good photos of me -- not necessarily a great quality but a very good picture of me -- better than any other photos I've had taken. And always smiling.

My most recent passport photo shows me laughing at the photographer (mouth wide opened, pearly whites on display). My curling iron had died that morning so one side of my bangs is curled under and the other side is straight as an ironing board!

Not only was is my passport picture really bad, but I have changed so much in the 5 years since it was taken that they may decide it isn't me. I've let my hair go natural (gray) and I've lost 35 pounds which, on a 5'1" frame, is a lot. I've got 5 more years on my present passport, but do you think I should see about changing the picture?

The picture on my passport is decent..not super..but at least i dont look like a dork...

Now my ID card picture is something also...
For security reason everytime I go to the local AF base I must show it...I can imagine the guard at the gate smiling when he see it...

Having been a professional photographer in Upper Michigan (yes, that is in the United States), for over 50 years, the first 30 or so years that was a rule, no smiling in a passport photo, just a normal non-smiling pose. And the old joke used to be IF YOU LOOK AS BAD AS YOUR PASSPORT PICTURE, YOU REALLY NEED THE TRIP. or again, IF YOU LOOK AS BAD AS THE PICTURE, YOU ARE NOT WELL ENOUGH TO MAKE THE TRIP. Either way, I was relieved when that rule was relaxed and was able to take at least half flattering photos for customers passports. Have a good day. MJ