PhilSat: Editing a Picture Through Paint

How to have the correct photo requirement for the PhilSat registration?

This is without paying a professional to do so.

Based on the photo requirements on the CEM website, the specifications are below;

"It is highly recommended that the digital photo be taken by any professional photo studio that is familiar with the digital photo requirements of a US visa application. 

Your PhiLSAT application photo must meet certain criteria regarding size and content. Submitting photos that do not meet these criteria can delay the PhiLSAT application process. Digital photos uploaded with your PhiLSAT application must meet the following guidelines:

NO name tag or label and WHITE background only.

Head Size

Your head height, measured from the top of your head, including the hair, to the bottom of your chin, must be between 50% and 70% of the photo's total height. Your eye height, measured from the bottom of the photo to the level of your eyes, should be between 55% and 70% - or roughly 2/3 - of the photo's height.

Photo Dimensions

Your photo must be 5cm x 5cm (2in x 2in) and square-shaped, meaning the photo's height must be the same as its width. The minimum dimensions for your photo are 600 pixels x 600 pixels (height x width). The maximum dimensions are 1200 pixels x 1200 pixels (height x width)."

We all know that it is costly to have a professional to edit your picture to met the requirements given by the LEB. Some business establishments take advantage of giving a higher price to those who ask for a soft copy. Luckily, their is a do-it-yourself way. Just follow the steps below.

1. Take a picture using smartphone which produce hi-res images (iphone 6 or 7, Samsung S6 or S7 or others with great camera). Make sure your background is white and the yellow-white.

2. Make sure that someone is taking the picture for you. Do not use a selfie.

3. Now, if your photo does not met the requirements, the Registration site won't accept it. Example is the Bruce Wayne ID picture below.

If you try uploading this to the registration form, it won't be accepted. Why? It does not met the important criteria. PHOTO DIMENSIONS. 

How to edit?

4. You can by just using the old time Microsoft Program, PAINT. Open the ID picture with Paint. 

You will notice that the size of the image is 282 x 350 px. The dimensions needed is 600 pixels x 600 pixels.  How will we achieve it?

5. Crop the image in the best possible square mode that you can. 

6. Click Resize. Choose pixels. Untick Maintain Aspect Ration and then input 600 by 600. Click OK.

7. Now you have a 600 x 600 ID picture that will met the needed dimension. Just be intuitive and be creative in editing the photo. It is not that hard to achieve your desired output. 

*Make sure to include your shoulders and give a good allowance.

OR to make things easier, if you have a scanner, just scan a 2 x 2 photo ID and upload it.