DV Lottery Digital Photograph compositional and technical specifications

                  


As DV Lottery applicant you must make sure you meet the photo requirements of the DV program.
You can take a new digital photograph or scan a recent (taken within the last six months) photograph with a digital scanner, as long as it meets the compositional and technical specifications listed below. Do not submit an old photograph. Submitting the same photograph that you submitted with a prior year’s entry, a photograph that has been manipulated, or a photograph that does not meet the specifications below will result in disqualification.

Photographs must be in 24-bit color depth. If you are using a scanner, the settings must be for True
Color or 24-bit color mode. See the additional scanning requirements below.

Compositional Specifications:

•  Head Position

o The subject must directly face the camera.
o The subject’s head should not be tilted up, down, or to the side.
o The head height or facial region size (measured from the top of the head, including the
hair, to the bottom of the chin) must be between 50 percent and 69 percent of the image’s
total height. The eye height (measured from the bottom of the image to the level of the
eyes) should be between 56 percent and 69 percent of the image’s height.

Digital Image Head Size Template

•  Light-colored Background

o The subject should be in front of a neutral, light-colored background.

•  Focus

o The photograph must be in focus.

•  No Glasses

o The subject must not wear glasses or other items that detract from the face.

• No Head Coverings or Hats

o Head coverings or hats worn for religious reasons are acceptable, but the head covering
may not obscure any portion of the face. Tribal or other headgear not religious in nature
may not be worn. Photographs of military, airline, or other personnel wearing hats will
not be accepted.

Technical Specifications

•  Taking a New Digital Image. If you submit a new digital image, it must meet the following specifications:

 Image File Format:                           The image must be in the Joint Photographic Experts Group                                                                     (JPEG) format.

Image File Size:                                The maximum image file size is 240 kilobytes (240 KB).

Image Resolution and Dimensions:    Minimum acceptable dimensions are 600 pixels (width) x 600                                                                pixels (height) up to 1200 pixels x 1200 pixels. Image pixel                                                                    dimensions must be in a square aspect ratio (meaning the                                                                        height must be equal to the width).

Image Color Depth:                            Image must be in color (24 bits per pixel). 24-bit black and                                                                      white or 8-bit images will not be accepted.

• Scanning a Submitted Photograph. Before you scan a photographic print, make sure it meets the color and compositional specifications listed above. Scan the print using the following scanner specifications:

Scanner Resolution:                             Scanned at a resolution of at least 300 dots per inch (dpi).

Image File Format:                              The image must be in the Joint Photographic Experts Group
                                                             (JPEG) format.

 Image File Size:                                  The maximum image file size is 240 kilobytes (240 KB).

 Image Resolution:                               600 by 600 pixels to 1200 by 1200 pixels

Image Color Depth:                             24-bit color. Black and white, monochrome, or grayscale                                                                        images will not be accepted.

You can print the text on this page and take it to your professional photographer.