This page is an entry in the Key.

Image-source trust test

  • A. An “image-source trust test” is what it sounds like

    An “image-source trust test” refers to any means of judging the trustworthiness of any image source.

    TTG is an example of an image-source trust test.

  • B. There are always two big problems...

    . . . when assessing the trustworthiness of any entity:

    1. Clarifying exactly what standards are or are not being met

    2. Getting the party being judged to accept responsibility for meeting those standards

  • C. TTG solves both of those problems

    1. The Trust Test spells out in detail the 9 expectations

    2. Anyone who uses the “TTG” label to put Trust-Test Guaranteed images before the public accepts full responsibility for those 9 claims

  • D. How TTG is an image-source trust test:

    In publishing the TTG label, an image provider is inviting the public to judge the validity of the claim that the image meets TTG's Trust Test—

    — after which the public can raise or lower its estimation of the provider’s trustworthiness.

  • E. Image providers always control their own reputation

    Because the TTG label can only be credibly applied by the photographer — and not by the image provider — protecting the credibility of the provider is a natural concern.

    That's why image providers have multiple options (including complete veto power) when they believe that a photograph submitted to them was inappropriately labeled TTG.