Photo Requirements
The submitted image must adhere to the following
specifications. Photographs submitted must be a recent
photograph, taken within the last 6 months. Please be advised
that failure to comply with any of the
following requirements may result in disqualification from the
lottery.
Image Acquisition
- The image file may be produced by acquiring an image
with a digital camera or by digitizing a paper photograph
with a scanner.
- Digital enhancement or other alterations or retouching
are not permitted.
- The original aspect ratio of the image must be
preserved. (No image stretching is allowed.)
Compositional Specifications
Content
- The image must contain the full face, neck, and
shoulders of the entrant in frontal view with a neutral,
non-smiling expression and with eyes open and directed at
the camera.
- The image must not contain any parts of the body below
the entrant's shoulders.
- The image must not include other objects or additional
people.
- Entrant must be vertically oriented in the image.
- The image must be from a recent (within 6 months) photo
of the entrant.
Head Position
- Subject must directly face the camera.
- Head must not be tilted up, down, or to the side.
- The head height (measured from the top of the head,
including the hair, to the bottom of the chin) must be
between 50% and 69% 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% and 69% of the image's
height. The diagram below shows these measurements on a
correctly-proportioned image.
|
INCORRECT |
| No
Retouching |
No Image
Stretching |
 |
 |
| Pose Not
Frontal |
Image Not
Portrait View |
 |
 |
| Head Too
Small |
Head Too
Big |
 |
 |
Background
- Subject must be surrounded by a plain, light-colored
background with no distracting shadows on the subject or
background.
| INCORRECT |
| Background
Not Plain |
 |
Focus/Resolution
- The entire face must be in focus.
- Fine facial features should be discernible
- No discernible pixels or dot patterns
|
INCORRECT |
| Not In
Focus |
Visible/Coarse Dot Pattern |
 |
 |
|
Resolution Too Low |
 |
Decorative Items
- Photos in which the person being photographed is wearing
sunglasses or other items that obscure the face are not
acceptable.
Eyeglasses
- Eyeglasses are acceptable in photo only if the lenses
are not tinted and there is no glare, shadows, or
rims/frames obscuring the eyes. Glare on eyeglasses can
usually by avoided by a slight upward or downward tilt of
the head.
| INCORRECT |
| Glare On
Glasses |
 |
Head Coverings and Hats
- Hats or head coverings are only allowed if worn for
religious reasons AND if they do not obscure any facial
features.
- Photos containing tribal or other headgear not
specifically religious in nature are unacceptable.
- Photos of military, airline, or other personnel wearing
hats are not acceptable.
Brightness, Contrast, and Color
- Color should reproduce natural skin tones.
- Brightness and contrast should represent subject
accurately.
|
INCORRECT |
| Improper
Color |
Too Dark |
 |
 |
|
Contrast Too High |
 |
Exposure and Lighting
- Photo may not be over- or under-exposed
- Avoid shadows on face or background
|
INCORRECT |
|
Over-Exposed |
Shadows On
Face |
 |
 |
|
Shadow On Background |
 |