Allowable Changes

to Photos (see P2)

The combined result of all changes must meet P7 of the Trust Test.


A. Allowable “light”-related changes

  • TTG allows any “light”-related changes necessary to meet P7.

    P7 of the Trust Test says,

    “The photograph cannot misrepresent the appearance of the scene as the camera lens saw it during the exposure(s), as judged by respected international news agencies’ information-reportage standards.”

    • There is no limit on the degree     of “light”-related changes permissible in order to meet P7.


    • B. Allowable non-“light”-related changes

  • 1. Changing the format of the photograph

    Some examples:
    • converting between digital formats such as tif, jpg, and png
    • changing a photo between RGB and CMYK
    • developing film
    • converting negative film to a positive
    • printing a digital file (“digital to analog”)
    • scanning a photographic print (“analog to digital”)

  • 2. Downsizing the entire photograph

    The entire image may be downsized, before and/or after cropping.

    • No select portions of the image can be resized (per P2).

    • Any image upsizing that uses AI-GC is disqualified by P1.

  • 3. Fixing “surface” flaws that were not part of the scene depicted

    • Surface flaws that were NOT part of the scene that was photographed may be left as is, may be partially corrected, or may be fully corrected (examples: the effects of dirt on the camera’s sensor, a scratch on a negative, a piece of lint on a scanned slide).

    • “Surface” things that WERE “part of the scene depicted” may not be corrected (examples: a mole, freckle, wrinkle, pimple, tattoo, birthmark, scratch, or piece of lint on the subject).

  • 4. Correction of lens-camera anomalies

    Lens/camera anomalies may be left as is, may be partially corrected, or may be fully corrected.

    Note that lens/camera anomalies cannot be added, accentuated, or simulated or the result is disqualified by P2 and P7.

  • 5. Reverting/Undoing

    TTG photographers can Undo changes made to a photo, and they can Revert to the initially recorded image.

    Note that the ability to Revert to the most unaltered version of a photo may only work on the same device on which the image was recorded.

  • 6. Cropping

    In keeping with the news-industry standards on which TTG is based, cropping of TTG photos is limited to the “straight-edged” removal of picture area. All 4 sides must be hard-edged (not feathered).

    Cropping to a shape that is not a rectangle, feathering any edges, or cutting out the background disqualifies a photo from P7 and from TTG.

  • 7. Rotating

    TTG photographs may be rotated to any degree as long as the result meets P7 and P8 of the Trust Test.

  • 8. Edge sharpening


    In addition to any sharpening that is automatically done by the camera or device, standard edge sharpening is allowed as long as the result meets P7 and P8 of the Trust Test.

    Any addition of AI-GC disqualifies the result from TTG.

  • 9. Combining exposures (within strict limits)

    Smartphones usually (instantly) combine multiple exposures in TTG-compatible ways. However, when combining exposures outside of a smartphone, the Trust Test imposes numerous restrictions.

    Note that combining different people’s expressions from different exposures disqualifies the result from both P4 and P5 because of satode.



See FAQ #8 in TTG Plus for details