#10{ }in a series of background briefs

Avoiding deception

with TTG/IC alerts

  • 1. The problem

    The problem is that ensuring a photo is undoctored isn't enough, because completely undoctored photographs can be deceptive.

    A photo of an animal in a zoo that looks like it's in the wild; a staged scene that looks spontaneous; a trick photo; an optical illusion; any photo that depicts something other than what it appears to depict—

    — ALL of these photos can be deceptive even when they are undoctored.

  • 2. The solution

    (This is P8 of the Trust Test)

    • The photographer attaches the label “TTG/IC” to signal that there are “inapparent circumstances” that could deceive viewers.

    • Additional explanation can be provided elsewhere and noted with a * after the TTG/IC.

    • There's no reason to worry about attaching a “TTG/IC” unless a photo has already met P1 through P7 of the Trust Test.

    • But every photo ever made involves some “inapparent circumstances”!

  • 3. So how does the photographer decide if a “TTG/IC” is needed?

    • A “TTG/IC” is needed to meet P8 if respected international news agencies would attach a separate alert were the photo used in an information-reportage context.

    • But a plain “TTG” (with no “IC”) is sufficient if respected international news agencies would not make separate note of the circumstances were the photo used in an information-reportage context.

 

For much more on “IC” alerts, see FAQ 10