INTRODUCTION
Photoshop Elements and your digital camera make it possible to create your passport photo.  It must be 2” X 2” with white or off-white background and the distance from your chin to top of head (including hair) must be between 1” and 1 3/8”.  Photo must be a likeness of you (front view) without hat (or head covering) or dark glasses in normal street attire.

OPEN, CROP AND ENHANCE YOUR PHOTO
Open Photoshop Elements in the Full Edit mode.  Hold the Ctrl key and tap the letter O key > find the folder that has your photo > double-click the folder to view the photos inside > click the View Menu icon and select Thumbnail or Medium Icon view > select your photo and click Open.  Use Photoshop Elements to correct levels, lighting and saturation – in the Layers palette, click the Create adjustment layer icon (black & white circle) + Levels > hold Alt and move right end sliders inward until a bit of color is displayed on the black image > repeat with the left slider until a bit of color is displayed on the white image > click OK.  Click the Create adjustment layer icon + Brightness/Contrast > move the sliders for best results (contrast is usually moved to the right to about 15) > click OK.  Select the Crop tool > set Width & Height to 2” > move and size the crop leaving about ¼” above your hair and below your chin > press the Enter key (to complete the crop).

CREATE A BACKGROUND FOR PRINTING
Click Image + Resize + Image Size > write down the Resolution in Pixels/Inch > click Cancel.  Click File + New + Blank File > set Width=8 ½ inch, Height=11 inch > type the same Resolution as your photo > color should be white > click OK.  (If your printer can handle smaller photo paper, use those paper dimensions.)

MOVE PHOTO ONTO BACKGROUND AND PRINT
Select your 2 X 2 photo > click the Move tool > drag the photo onto the background > close and save your original photo as a .JPG with name ending with 2X2 and size=12 (maximum) > on the Layers palette, right-click your photo + Duplicate Layer + OK.  With the Move tool selected, move the photos to positions at least 1/2 inch from the background edges (printer can’t print right up to the paper’s edge).  Hold the Ctrl key and press “P” (Print) > press Enter (photos print).
 
CONCLUSION
All versions of Photoshop Elements can be used to make your passport photos.  This procedure will save you money (over having your photos made commercially) and you will learn a few of the Photoshop techniques.

GOOD WEB SITES
BILL’S HOME PAGE: bzus.com
LEISURE VILLAGE: leisurevillage.us and leisurevillage.org
GOOGLE: www.google.com, images.google.com, maps.google.com, news.google.com