HK Hong Kong Octopus 1.5x2 inch Photo Requirements Guide - Official Guidelines

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: exactly 5 x 2 inches (38 × 51 mm) with no borders or white edges
• Head size and positioning: head height between 125–375 inches (29–35 mm) from chin to crown, centered horizontally
• Background: plain white or light-grey, evenly lit with no shadows, patterns or objects visible
• Print quality: high-resolution color print on smooth, non-glossy photo paper with no blemishes, creases or ink marks
• Facial expression: neutral expression or natural smile with mouth closed, eyes open and visible, no exaggerated expressions
• Lighting and exposure: uniform front lighting, no red-eye, glare or harsh shadows on face or background
• Glasses: thin-framed eyewear allowed provided lenses are clear, no reflections or tinted lenses, eyes fully visible
• Head coverings: prohibited except for documented religious reasons, hairline and facial features must remain fully visible
• Recentness: photo taken within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance, no digital alterations to facial features
• Clothing: everyday attire without uniforms or camouflage patterns, plain dark or muted colors preferred; no logos or large graphics
• Infants and children: pose alone against the same background rules, no pacifiers or toys, eyes open or as fully open as age permits

Step-by-Step Process

• Prepare Your Equipment: Use a DSLR or high-resolution smartphone (≥8 MP), mount on a tripod 1–5 m from subject, set white balance to “daylight,” and position two softbox lights at 45° angles to eliminate shadows.
• Set Up Background & Lighting: Hang a matte white backdrop, remove wrinkles, and place subject 1 m away from it; use back-to-background separation light if needed to avoid shadows and ensure even illumination.
• Position the Subject: Instruct the person to stand straight, look directly at the camera, keep a neutral expression with mouth closed, ears visible, eyes open and uncovered, and hair away from face.
• Capture the Photo: Frame so head occupies 70–80 % of the 2″ height, focus on eyes, shoot in RAW (if possible) or highest JPEG quality, disable flash red-eye, and take multiple shots for selection.
• Crop & Resize to 5″×2″: Import into photo-editing software, unlock aspect ratio, crop exactly to 5 inches wide × 2 inches tall, center the head vertically, and ensure head height is 4–6 inches.
• Check Technical Specs: Confirm output at 300 dpi, no compression artifacts, color mode RGB, file size ≤ 2 MB for digital upload or print on glossy photo paper with no borders.
• Final Quality Control & Submission: Inspect for even background, accurate colors, sharp edges; if printing, use professional photo paper; if uploading, follow Octopus online portal guidelines and attach as .jpg/.png.

Tips and Best Practices

• Plain light background: Always use a solid white or off-white backdrop with no patterns or shadows to ensure clear facial contrast and prevent automatic-scan errors—busy or colored backgrounds are the top cause of instant photo rejections.
• Correct head size & centering: Position your head so it fills roughly 70–80% of the 2″ height (about 35–40 mm) and is dead-center; photos with faces too small, too large or off-axis are routinely turned away for improper framing.
• Even, shadow-free lighting: Illuminate your face from both sides with soft, diffused light to eliminate harsh shadows on your features or the background—uneven lighting can distort your appearance and trigger machine-verification failures.
• Neutral expression & open eyes: Maintain a relaxed, closed-mouth expression, look straight at the lens with both eyes fully open and no hair obscuring your face—smiling, frowning or squinting alters your facial dimensions, leading to rejections.
• Exact print size & matte finish: Have your photo printed border-free on high-quality matte paper at precisely 5″ × 2″ (38 × 50 mm); trimming errors, resizing in software or glossy finishes introduce glare and sizing mismatches that nearly always cause returns.

Conclusion

In summary, the HK Octopus 1.5×2 inch Photo Requirements Guide ensures your photo meets all specifications to avoid application delays and rejections.

Key points:

• Size: exactly 5×2 inch (38×51 mm) with ±1 mm tolerance
• Head dimensions: 35–40 mm from chin to crown, 3–5 mm top margin
• Background: plain white or light grey, no patterns or shadows
• Expression: neutral, eyes open, mouth closed, no exaggerated smiles
• Glasses: thin frames only, no tinted lenses, minimal glare
• Quality: high resolution, sharp focus, no creases or smudges, matte finish
• Clothing: dark attire, no uniforms or head coverings except for religious purposes

Next steps:

• Have your photo taken by a professional familiar with these specs
• Print on high-quality photo paper within the last six months
• Submit your photo with your Octopus card application or at any service centre

Following these guidelines guarantees a smooth application process and timely issuance of your Octopus card.