Not necessarily. Heavy editing (smoothing, background replacement, a printed photo re-photographed) makes the image look processed. Work through the steps on this page and compare the photo with the official rule on the document page before you re-upload.

Will SurePassportPhoto fix this?

We prepare the file to the official size, head height and background for gov.uk passport application (HM Passport Office), and our checklist flags the lighting and framing faults behind this message. The portal and its staff make the final decision; if they reject a photo we made, our guarantee covers you.

This doesn't look like a digital photo

"This doesn't look like a digital photo" is a message shown by gov.uk passport application (HM Passport Office). Heavy editing (smoothing, background replacement, a printed photo re-photographed) makes the image look processed. First step: Upload the file straight from the camera with no filters, smoothing or background swap.

Why it happens

Heavy editing (smoothing, background replacement, a printed photo re-photographed) makes the image look processed. gov.uk requires a photo unaltered by computer software; one review describes an over-edited infant photo rejected with exactly this message.

What to do

1.Upload the file straight from the camera with no filters, smoothing or background swap.
2.For a baby, lay the child on a plain light sheet and shoot from above rather than editing the background.
3.Keep the photo in colour and at the camera's full size (at least 600 x 750 pixels).

Official wording

unaltered by computer software

Source: https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/6a5df260eef3c4aced31619a

Traced to: docs/pain-points.md 5d and PP-21, TP 6a5df260eef3c4aced31619a; wording from 5a gov.uk

Affected documents

UK Passport Photo (digital, online application)

Frequently asked questions

We are an independent service, not a government website. Applying for a passport or visa is done with your government; we only prepare the photo.