How to Create a Photo for an MTA Senior Citizen Card

The Metropolitan Transit Authority, or MTA, provides bus and train service for metropolitan New York City, New Jersey and Long Island, including Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx. The MTA also provides a discount fare card for senior citizens age 65 and older who frequently use public transportation. Obtaining a senior citizen reduced fare Metrocard requires having a 2-by-2 1/2-inch photograph, similar to a passport photograph.

Things You'll Need

• Photograph
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Image editing software
• Scanner

Instructions

Taking a Photo

1. Find a room with a white wall and adequate light to expose the photograph. Artificial light can be used to help light the photograph, including overhead light fixtures and lamps.

2. Have a friend frame the photo so that it is of your face and upper portion of your shoulders. A tripod can also be used for framing the photo.

3. Connect your digital camera to your computer and follow the prompts to download the photo to the hard drive.

4. Print the photo at home using a color printer. If you do not have a printer, save the photo to CD or disk, and take this to a store that offers photo printing.

Using a Non-Digital Photo

1. Find a photograph of yourself that would meet the MTA's regulations for identification photos. The photo should be of your face from your shoulders up and should be against a neutral background. You should be facing the camera, and there should be no one else in the photo.

2. If the image meets the MTA's regulations, you can proceed with the sign-up process at the MTA office or by mail.

3. If the image does not meet the MTA's regulations, you may need to scan the photo and either resize or crop it.

Cropping and Preparing your Photo for the MTA

1. Open your image editing software and import the image file of the digital or scanned photograph.

2. Crop the image so that it is only including your face and the beginning of your shoulders by selecting the Crop tool and clicking and holding on the portion of the image that you want to be your identification photo.

3. Resize the photograph to 2 inches wide by 2 1/2 inches high with your image editing software. This can usually be done by selecting the "Image Size" option from the "Edit" menu.

4. Print the photo at home, or save it to a flash drive (or CD) and take it to a store for printing.

Applying for Photo Services

1. Go to the Reduced-Fare MetroCard Walk-In Office if you cannot afford or locate a photograph for the senior citizen card. This MTA office provides free photo services for qualifying seniors.

2. Bring identification. This is required for seniors who apply for photo services.

3. Also bring proof-of-age. This is another MTA requirement.

References

• MTA: Reduced Fare MetroCard
• Reduced Fare MetroCard Terms of Use