TTG Plus > Index of Viewpoints


Viewpoints

Short commentary/background pieces

  • 1. A key to understanding TTG: The value of “records”

    Viewpoint #1 explores why viewers ask, “Is this photo real?”

  • 2. The logic of TTG

    TTG is built on a set of widely accepted principles.

  • 3. The goals of TTG

    There are three primary goals.

  • 4. Levels of engagement with TTG

    Image providers can engage with TTG on the three levels (or anywhere in between) described in Viewpoint #4.

  • 5. The role of “Light” for TTG

    How TTG couples the behavior of “light” (the root of photography) with showing “what the camera lens saw” (the root of TTG): Viewpoint #5

  • 6. Elements of photography and TTG

    The first 6 requirements of the Trust Test are built on 6 things that the public knows about how photographs “work.” Viewpoint #6

  • 7. “Before” vs. “After”

    Viewpoint #7 describes a principle that is an underlying theme across this website — and goes against the “I'll fix it in post” ethos.

  • 8. “Seen vs. Simulated”

    Viewpoint #8 explains why when there are two identical-looking photographs, one may qualify as TTG while the other does not.

  • 9. The 9 characteristics and TTG

    Viewpoint #9 discusses how TTG is built around the 9 characteristics that are shared by “the most-widely trusted photographs in the free world.”

  • 10. Protecting “photography” from “AI-GC”

    Viewpoint #10 explores why some photographers have no interest in integrating AI-generated content into their photos.

  • 11. The photographer’s choice

    Photographers now have to make a choice they rarely had to make in the past, between optimizing “trustworthiness” vs. optimizing “appearance.”

  • 12. Convincing the viewer

    Some ways for TTG photographers to build credibility with viewers.

  • 13. When to disregard the TTG label

    Viewpoint #13 lists things that are likely to give viewers pause.

  • 14. Photos that are ineligible for TTG

    Some of the kinds of photos that are considered “TTG-ineligible.”

  • 15. Common rationales that don’t matter

    There are many good reasons to doctor photographs after they are taken, but when it comes to TTG, a photo either qualifies or it doesn’t.

  • 16. Common wishes that don’t come true

    A list of examples of things that are not three-dimensional but are still subject to limits on changes.

  • 17. Popular manipulations that disqualify photos from TTG

    Some common manipulations that aren’t available to TTG photographers.

  • 18. “What about my favorite manipulation?”

    Why numerous manipulations that are a routine part of many photographers’ personal workflow aren’t allowed by TTG.

  • 19. On making a less-strict standard

    Tips for making a standard that is similar to TTG but less strict.

  • 20. Myths about photography in our time

    Considering notions that were once widely accepted provides an insight into how much photography has changed, Viewpoint #20 says.

  • 21. “Our most-universal language”

    Photography is a stronger candidate for that title than any other medium.

  • 22. Attributes of trusted photo publishers

    Viewpoint #22 may be a helpful aid both for those who want to identify trustworthy photo publishers and those who want to become one.

  • 23. Revealing more, not less

    When observing how rinairs handles various manipulations, there is a consistent theme, Viewpoint #23 says.

  • 24. TTG is modeled on the “Nonfiction” label

    Even though the notions of “fiction” are different from books to photographs, the Nonfiction label on books was a key inspiration for the TTG label.

  • 25. The technical effects of “digital”

    The effect of digital technology on how photography is practiced.

  • 26. A history of photo manipulation

    Viewpoint #26 retraces the state of the art over the past few decades.

  • 27. A timeline of public awareness

    Viewpoint #27 enumerates how for five decades the public has become increasingly aware of the capabilities of digital images.

  • 28. 100 famous photographers

    Famous (Western) 20th-century photographers who each made thousands of photos that would fully meet the Trust Test.

  • 29. Fulfilling a universal longing

    Many photographers’ personal photographic goals cannot be achieved when their photographs are assumed to be doctored or aigmented.

  • 30. The changing meaning of “the decisive moment”

    Viewpoint #30 explores how TTG’s allowance for combining exposures reflects a wider redefinition of the terms “decisive” and “moment.”

 

Users are safe linking to these pages: the subjects and numbers of the viewpoints will not change. New viewpoint pages added in the future will be numbered higher than 30.