The problem with uploading photos to receive the github student developer pack

[Zenderok2]

Hi everyone,

I am studying at Kuban State University(KubSU) and I want to get the github student developer pack. When filling out the application, you need to take a photo (there is no way to upload a photo). When you select take a photo, the front camera is selected. There is an option on the website to switch to the classic camera, but the camera does not switch. It is very difficult to take a photo with the front camera, and it also results in a blurry photo. Because of this, it is not possible to get the github student developer pack.

[samus-aran]

Hi @Zenderok2

We've updated our Student Developer Pack Application FAQs & Common Rejection Reasons discussion. It's packed with valuable information that might just have what you're looking for. I've included the section that I feel would best assist.

• I can only use my Front Camera to take a photo.

We understand that students may not have access to high-quality cameras (laptop or phones) but as long as the text is legible the system should be able to process it. Here are a few tips on using a phone to capture.

1. Please ensure that you have allowed camera access on the browser you're using to apply. The steps for this will vary depending on which browser you are using. Information on browsers supported by GitHub can be found here.
2. If you can, print off your evidence and take a photo of this copy.
3. Ensure your image is legible. If you are unable to read the text on the image itself then the verification process may not be able to either. If you are taking a photo of a screen try to have it as large a resolution as possible - take a photo of the evidence on a monitor rather than a phone.
4. Keep the text legible. It's preferred to have the full shot of the evidence but try and capture the important sections of it to confirm your student status. If the photo is too large and makes the text tiny then zoom in appropriately.
5. Alternatively you may use another mobile device or computer.

I would suggest zooming in on the camera, we need some essential info like name, school name, date.

[jkellerTUB]

Even if we have access to hihg-quality cameras it would not change a thing. The file ends up being 316x316 pixels big. No high tech camera can include enough information that are required in such a small file. It is really weird that this is an issue for such a big digital compay as github. I am sorry but that feels frustrating and emberassing :(
I used a virtual camera to replace the webcam with a screensharing. The picture that was taken is therefore a screenshot that should be quite "high-quality" given the 4k resolution. Yet it ends up unreadable because it is scaled down to the limit of 316x316. I am more confused about how other students were able to pass this process.

[cabrio5]

Nah, same problem.
It makes me don't want to pay for the pro plan even if I need it. The only way for checking is taking photos? It really needs to add a file uploading section to submit the original image or PDF etc. Or, just fix the resolution problem...

[NickFrost2]

Just add a file uploading option to it.

[MaheshR03]

1. If you're forced to use the front camera, stand in front of a mirror. That way, you can see your phone screen in the mirror and better position yourself.
2. Sometimes the camera switching issue is browser-specific. Try using Google Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge if one isn’t working properly.

[jkellerTUB]

@MaheshR03 again it is not about the camera quality. Both front, back and virtual camera lead to the same low resolution result. Same with uploading a picture. It is automatically down scaled and then useless.

Camera switching is not the problem. Front camera is not the problem.

The resolution and size of uploaded file is the PROBLEM.

[MaheshR03]

I see