This page is an entry in the Key.
barrel distortion
pincushion distortion
What is pincushion distortion?
The post-exposure correction of barrel distortion and pincushion distortion (and combinations of the two) does not disqualify photographs from the TTG label.
{It is the only reason that anything may be reshaped in a TTG photo}
“Barrel- and pincushion distortion correction” is listed under Category #4 of the Allowable Changes that are linked to P2.
(Barrel- and pincushion distortion correction is on the “Allowables” list because it is “baked in” to hundreds of millions of devices and is often done “in-camera” without the photographer telling the device to do it.)
As with corrections of surface flaws, in a TTG-qualified photograph barrel and pincushion distortion (and combinations of the two) may be left as is, may be partially corrected, or may be fully corrected.
• If the barrel/pincushion distortion is so excessive, unfamiliar, or potentially deceptive that a respected news organization would provide a separate viewer-alert if the photograph was used in an information-reportage setting, then the TTG photographer must attach an “IC” alert to the photo.
• If the barrel/pincushion distortion is so excessive, unfamiliar, or potentially deceptive that a respected news organization would reject the photograph, the photo is considered TTG-ineligible.