RU Russia Seaman’s book 3x4 cm Photo Requirements Guide - Official Guidelines

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: exactly 30 × 40 mm with no borders and sharp, clean-cut edges
• Head size and position: head height 70–80 % of photo (approximately 25–32 mm) centered vertically with 3–5 mm margin above hair
• Background: uniform light grey or white, non-textured and free of shadows or objects
• Facial orientation: full-face view, directly facing camera, eyes level with the horizontal midline
• Expression: neutral expression, mouth closed, natural relaxed face without a smile
• Eyes and gaze: eyes fully open, clearly visible irises, no hair or accessories obstructing view
• Eyewear and head coverings: no glasses or sunglasses; head coverings only for documented religious reasons with facial features from chin to forehead and both cheeks fully visible
• Lighting and exposure: even lighting, no reflections, glare or red-eye, consistent skin tones and true-to-life color reproduction
• Photo quality and clarity: high resolution (minimum 600 dpi), sharp focus, no pixels, creases, tears, marks or retouching
• Paper type and finish: printed on high-quality photographic paper, matte or semi-gloss finish, resistant to fading
• Photo age and validity: taken within the last six months to reflect current appearance
• Submission format: provide two identical prints mounted on application form without staples, glue marks or protective overlays

Step-by-Step Process

• First step: Capture the compliant image
• Set up a neutral, light-gray or white background without shadows or textures to meet Russian Marine Register standards.
• Position your digital camera or smartphone at eye level, 5–2 meters from the subject, using a tripod to avoid tilt or rotation.
• Illuminate the subject with even, soft lighting (two lights at 45° angles) to eliminate shadows on the face and background.
• Instruct the seafarer to look straight into the lens with a neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible (no hair or glasses glare).
• Frame the shot so the head (crown to chin) occupies 70–80% of the 3×4 cm area—approximately 32–36 mm from chin to crown. Ensure shoulders are roughly level and visible.
• Use a camera resolution of at least 300 dpi (minimum 354×472 pixels for 3×4 cm) and capture in color (24-bit depth) with accurate white balance.
• Second step: Process, print and submit—and why it matters
• Download the image to a computer and open it in photo-editing software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, GIMP).
• Crop precisely to 30 × 40 mm (3 × 4 cm) at 300 dpi, centering the head vertically and horizontally; verify the head height measures between 32–36 mm.
• Check for compliance: no red-eye, reflections, shadows or borders. Convert to uncompressed JPEG or TIFF with minimal compression (quality ≥ 90%).
• Print two identical copies on high-quality matte or semi-gloss 100–200 g/m² photographic paper using a calibrated printer—this ensures accurate color and detail retention.
• Attach one photo inside the seaman’s book in the designated photo slot; submit the second with your application packet. Proper cropping, sizing and print quality prevent rejection by the Russian Marine Administration and avoid costly delays.

Tips and Best Practices

• Exact Photo Dimensions: Print your photo at exactly 3x4 cm with no border or white margins; even a 1 mm deviation triggers automatic rejection by Russian seaman’s book authorities
• Correct Head Size & Position: Ensure the face (crown to chin) occupies 29–35 mm of the frame with ~3 mm space above hair; misaligned or improperly scaled heads are deemed non-compliant
• Uniform Background: Use a solid light grey or pale blue background without shadows or textures; patterned, colored, or uneven backdrops obscure facial features and cause refusal
• Eliminate Glare & Shadows: Position two diffused light sources at 45° angles to avoid reflections on glasses and harsh facial shadows; glare and shadows hinder biometric checks and lead to photo rejection
• High-Quality Print & Finish: Print at ≥600 dpi on matte, ISO-certified photopaper with true-to-life color balance; low-resolution, glossy, or faded prints distort your features and risk non-acceptance

Conclusion

In conclusion, the RU Russia Seaman’s Book 3×4 cm Photo Requirements Guide distills decades of regulatory detail into a clear, step-by-step reference. Following these specifications ensures your seaman’s book application proceeds without delay, avoiding costly rejections or re-shoots.

Key points summary:

• Photo size: exact 30 × 40 mm (3 × 4 cm) with no trimming or scaling
• Background: uniform, bright white with no shadows, patterns or textures
• Head positioning: full face centered; crown to chin occupies 70 – 80 % of frame height
• Expression & attire: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open; no headwear except for documented religious reasons
• Glasses & accessories: no tinted lenses; frames must not obscure eyes; remove headphones, jewelry or decorative items
• Print quality: high-resolution color on matte or semi-gloss photographic paper; no creases, marks or pixelation
• Recency & handling: photo taken within the last 6 months; submit original prints—digital files alone are not accepted

Adhering strictly to these guidelines guarantees compliance with Russian maritime authorities and a smooth seaman’s book issuance process.