Photographic Top Tips
DO spend sometime thinking about your photographs. If you do not use a photograph with your profile there is less chance of you receiving messages from other members. Yes, good looks help, but we can all benefit from thinking carefully about our choice of photographs. Follow the following points and you cannot go too far wrong:

DON'T use poor quality photographs, out-of-focus blurry images or images with red eye - avoid them at all costs. Be very careful using mobile phone or webcam photographs, they are very convenient but can be very poor quality.

Be sure to keep anything that would distract from you, out of the picture. The easiest way to do this is to watch your borders - the edges of the view you see through the camera's viewfinder. Remove or avoid objects such as an unattractive telephone wire, last night's dinner, drink cans, family pet, furniture, distracting sign, etc.

Keep other people out of the photograph especially babies and children. Did you know it is an offense to have children in the photograph - so please do not include them.

Keep your fingers or your camera strap out of the way of the lens.

Don't cut people off at the frame or border.

Pause for thought. If you take a photograph while you are standing or draped infront or on your bed - what kind of impression are you making!

Which way round, portrait or landscape? Portraits are best. The software used on this website is programmed to take your portrait photographs and will position your images perfectly. Use a landscape alternative and it will appear much smaller in your profile.

Don't be a blot on the landscape. Get close up and personal, but be sensible, not too close and not too far.

Avoid bright sunlight or dark poorly lit areas and keep away from harsh shadows especially across peoples' faces.

Avoid objects that reflect, for example, mirrors, glass windows or picture frames.

About you
DO keep it simple and use recent photographs. The background is just as important as your photograph. Lots of objects in the background will only do one thing - distract from YOU!

Try to avoid heavy patterned clothing or faces hidden behind sunglasses, hats or scarfs that hid your features. So wear plain, matching colours that suit you and clothing you are comfortable in and wear everyday.

DO spend sometime thinking about your photographs. Your profile is like a fun CV and you need to make it interesting supported with good quality photographs. It's your moment in the spotlight so use it wisely.

Step by step guide to a good outdoor photograph
Use a standard modern camera. Digital if possible
Good weather usually produces a good photograph
Where is the sun? It should be behind the camera and not you
Is the subject comfortable and relaxed, wearing a simple colour scheme and not squinting into the sun or with a shadow across the face
What's in the background. Keep it simple - the sea, sanddunes, a lake, a plain clean wall, a stone wall, green fields, an all green bush are all good examples of outdoor backgrounds.
Focus the image and scale so that the person is framed well in the photograph.
Make them laugh. A smile or grin always makes for a good positive photograph and get them to look into the camera lens.
Take lots of shots, get them professionally developed or download them to your computer, make your selection and send them to Smwch.

Step by step guide to a good indoor photograph
Use a standard modern camera. Digital if possible
What's the lighting like? Is it a dull day and rooms are dark - then you might require lots of artificial lights, or is the sun shooting through the windows - then avoid the harsh bright light
Is the subject comfortable and relaxed, wearing a simple colour scheme and avoiding too bright or too dark areas of the room
What's in the background. Keep it simple - a clean plain wall, long curtains, sitting at a table or on your stairs with a simple backdrop are all good examples of indoor shots.
Focus the image and scale so that the person is framed well in the photograph.
Make them laugh. A smile or grin always makes for a good positive photograph and get them to look into the camera lens.
Take lots of shots, get them professionally developed or download them to your computer, make your selection and send them to Smwch.

Scanning a photograph
If you do not possess a scanner then ask a friend to scan your photograph into their computer or use a USB port transfer lead to transfer the images from digital camera to computer. You need to convert the image to a JPEG format which is a normal standard format for photographs and are ideal for transfering online.

Converting an image to JPEG format
Most digital camera's or scanners will save photographs as JPEGs or covert the image to this format by using a software graphics package.

Email your photograph online
Save your photograph to a folder and remember the folders name and location on your computer. Use the options available on this website to either 'email' or 'browse' for your photograph. Locate your folder and find your image and either 'Attach' your image in an email or 'Click on' your image if you are using 'browse for your photograph', either way, Smwch will receive your images and we will do the rest.

I do not possess the equipment or have the knowledge to do any of the above
Ok, do not panic. There is a simple solution. If using a non-digital camera, take the film to the shops for film processing and get them develop to a normal holiday sized print. Send the print to Smwch. If you want to retain the photograph you can supply us with a self-address stamped envelope or you can photocopy the master image and send Smwch the copy. We cannot guarantee any safe return of your photographs, so avoid sending us originals.

If using a digital camera, take the camera to your local digital print developers. Most supermarkets now have them. Select images and print out to a normal holiday size print. Send the print to Smwch.

When posting always use sticky tape to seal your envelope and cut some thin cardboard to the size of your photograph and pop this in the envelope to prevent the photograph from being damaged in the post.

Passport Photograph
Alternatively, visit a standard photo booth, available in most post offices and create a good quality passport size photo and send the print to Smwch. We will re-size the photograph to fit your profile.

Remember - you can always call us for help and advice. So pick up the phone, we don't bite!