taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/ … 2003246869
This is quite amusing really…
FRom the Taipei Times…
[quote]Ministry releases rules for new ID card photos
CHANGES: Photos for use in the new cards must adhere to several rules, including no toothy smiles and no red-eye, the interior ministry said
By Cody Yiu
STAFF REPORTER
Saturday, Mar 19, 2005,Page 2
The Ministry of the Interior released a sample photo and a list of restrictions for new national identification cards yesterday.
The ministry will start replacing existing identification cards from July 1. Current card holders are required to submit new recent photos starting on June 1.
Several changes are being made to the cards in a bid to make them forgery-proof.
In the sample released by the ministry yesterday, several new restrictions apply for the photos used in the cards: for example the image must not show a person’s teeth.
“One can smile into the camera, but no teeth should be showing – what we want is a more expressionless image,” said Hsieh Ai-ling (謝愛齡), director of the ministry’s Population Administration Department.
Requirements
There are 13 other stipulations for images used in the identification cards, including:
The photo has to have been taken within the last six months and the cardholder’s face has to fill 70 to 80 percent of the entire photo. It must be 4.5cm long and 3.5cm wide.
Additionally, the person’s eyes have to be open, and any distinguishing marks, including moles, birth marks or scars must be shown. The photo cannot be altered. Additionally, the picture must be well-lit, and photos with red-eye will be rejected.
Clarity
If the person wears glasses, these should not have tinted lenses, nor should the eyes be covered by the glasses’ frame. If a head scarf is worn for religious reasons, the photo has to show all facial features clearly.
Due to the complicated requirements, the ministry advises using a professional photographer.
A set of six pictures should cost somewhere between NT$300 and NT$350. [/quote]
