RU EKARTa 420х525 pixels Application: Photo Guidelines (Step-by-Step)

Requirements

• Dimensions and Aspect Ratio: exactly 420×525 pixels (4:5 ratio) with no border or frame
• Head Size and Position: chin-to-crown height 70–80 % of image height, head centered both vertically and horizontally
• Background: uniform white or light gray, free of patterns, textures, shadows or objects
• Lighting and Exposure: even frontal illumination, no shadows on face or background, accurate natural skin tones
• Facial Expression: neutral expression with closed mouth, eyes open and clearly visible, no visible teeth or exaggerated expressions
• Head Orientation: full-face view, camera at eye level, no tilting, both ears, eyebrows and forehead fully visible
• Glasses and Accessories: no tinted lenses or sunglasses; thin-framed prescription glasses allowed if no glare; remove hats, headphones, scarves
• Head Coverings: permitted only for religious reasons, must not obscure hairline, forehead or cast shadows on face
• Image Quality and Resolution: sharp focus, no pixelation or noise, 24-bit color depth minimum, JPEG or PNG format, quality ≥ 90 %
• Retouching and Filters: strictly prohibited—no digital enhancements, smoothing, color filters or alterations of facial features
• Color Balance and Contrast: true-to-life colors, no red-eye, balanced contrast without over- or under-exposure
• Recency of Photo: taken within the last 6 months, accurately reflecting current appearance
• Clothing: everyday attire without uniforms, camouflage or overly bright colors, collar visible but not covering neckline

Step-by-Step Process

• Prepare equipment: use a high-resolution digital camera or modern smartphone camera on a tripod to ensure image sharpness and consistent framing.
• Choose background: position the subject against a plain light-gray or white background to meet Russian eKarta standards and avoid shadows or patterns.
• Set lighting: place two diffused light sources at 45° angles to the subject to eliminate shadows on the face and background for even exposure.
• Position subject: have the applicant stand 5–2 meters from the background, look straight at the lens with a neutral expression, and keep shoulders relaxed to achieve a natural, passport-style portrait.
• Frame the shot: ensure the head height occupies 70–80% of the frame and the eyes sit between 50–60% of the image height for correct facial proportion in a 420×525 pixel layout.
• Capture at high resolution: shoot at a minimum of 2400×3000 pixels and in digital “RAW” or highest JPEG quality to allow precise cropping without quality loss.
• Crop to 420×525 pixels: use image-editing software to center the face, crop to exact dimensions, and verify head size (290–340 pixels from chin to crown) for compliance.
• Adjust color and contrast: set white balance to neutral, ensure skin tones are natural, and confirm background is pure white/light gray (RGB 245–255) to pass automated checks.
• Save and submit: export the final image as a non-compressed JPEG at maximum quality, name the file per eKarta naming convention (LastName_FirstName.jpg), and upload to the portal following the 300 KB size limit.

Tips and Best Practices

• Accurate dimensions: ensure the photo is exactly 420×525 px to meet RU EKARTA specifications and prevent automatic rejection due to incorrect sizing
• Plain background: use a solid white or light-gray backdrop to provide clear contrast with your face and avoid disqualification for busy or colored backgrounds
• Centered framing: position your head in the photo center with eyes about 60% up from the bottom to ensure all facial features are captured correctly for biometric checks
• Even lighting: employ soft, diffused light to eliminate shadows, glare and hot spots on your face and glasses, preventing interference with automated face-recognition
• Neutral expression: keep a relaxed, closed-mouth expression with open eyes and no exaggerated smile to comply with biometric standards and avoid retakes for non-compliance

Conclusion

Conclusion

Adhering to the RU EKARTa 420 × 525 px photo guidelines ensures your application is processed without delay. Follow these key points carefully:

• Resolution: exactly 420 × 525 pixels, 300 dpi, JPEG format
• Face positioning: centrally aligned, head height 70–80% of frame
• Background: plain light gray or white, no shadows or patterns
• Expression: natural, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible
• Glasses: permitted if frames don’t cover eyes or cause glare; tinted lenses prohibited
• Headwear: only for religious reasons, must not obscure facial features
• Photo recency: taken within the last six months, in color, high contrast
• File size: maximum 150 KB, minimal compression artifacts

By meeting each requirement precisely, you minimize the risk of rejection and ensure a smooth RU EKARTa application process.