Comments | ladyofastolat: Digital by default

ladyofastolat

Digital by default

Feb 14, 2018 17:30

Do it online, the easy way, they said. I like to do things online, anyway, so with my passport due to expire soon, I headed online to renew it. First, though, I braved the hideous blow to self-esteem that is the photo booth, obeyed the long list of instructions about how to get a passport-approved picture, and got my set of hideous photos.

( Passport renewal woes )

ranting

Comments 7

leesa_perrie February 14 2018, 21:42:00 UTC

You know what, when ours are up for renewal, I think we'll just do it the old-fashioned paper-in-the post way!! That online photo-checking software sounds totally insane!! Poor thing probably wanted an exciting job as Celebrity Selfie Posting software, but got turned into a boring Passport Photo Checker instead - no wonder it's gone a bit mad!

Either that, or it was programmed by a cat!

Actually, that last one sounds most likely!! :D

timetiger February 14 2018, 22:58:24 UTC

"Programmed by a cat." Yes, that would explain a lot. :o)

leesa_perrie February 15 2018, 13:07:23 UTC

I'm sure they're out to get us... :D

timetiger February 14 2018, 22:47:50 UTC

Oh what a pain! In case it makes you feel better, I've been having similar problems lately, and with more than one website.
I'm glad it all worked out in the end, wonky head notwithstanding.

siglinde99 February 15 2018, 01:42:13 UTC

Passport photos are the worst! Why am I not allowed to smile, or even show a bit of my teeth? Why do I need to remove my glasses since it is easy to avoid photos with glare? My teeth are always visible and my eyes are always behind my glasses. We won't even go down the road of trying to puzzle out why a certain percentage of one ear must show - but no more, and heaven forfend you have stick-out ears so both show at the same time. I get mine done by a professional and submit it in person.

crazyscot February 16 2018, 20:53:52 UTC

As I understand it, it's to work around the limitations of the facial recognition systems used in the so-called "smart" passport gates. Even if the state of the art moves on, the rules are set as they were at the time the technology was specified (so perhaps 10 years ago now); any improvements will be very slow to roll out.

bunn February 16 2018, 22:28:15 UTC

This make me want to tear my hair just reading it.