Tips for making TTG photos

  • 1. Only two categories are off-limits

    Any subject is fair game except these two categories:

    A. The non-visible-light-related things that are disqualified by P1.

    B. Having as a primary subject any non-TTG-qualified image that looks like a TTG-qualified image (see the last paragraph of P8, and see FAQ #1809).

  • 2. Focus and bokeh blur

    TTG photographers have almost infinite leeway with respect to lens aperture and focus, but P2 means that non-optical bokeh blur always disqualifies a photo from TTG. (So does the “toy city” look, as per P7.)

    Guide to focus and bokeh blur

  • 3. Perspective / correction

    TTG photographers can position the camera any way they choose.

    But as per P2, TTG photographers cannot reshape — or program the camera to reshape — things in the photo in order to change or “correct” the apparent perspective.

    Guide to perspective correction and camera position

  • 4. Lighting effects

    TTG photographers should avoid any and all added “lighting effects.” The lighting in a TTG photo cannot be different from what the camera saw or the photo will not meet P7 and will be disqualified from TTG.

    There are numerous explanations on this website of the critical role of “light” in TTG photography, including this brief and this FAQ.

  • 5. Long exposures

    • If the scene is motionless and unchanging, TTG photographers can make “a single uninterrupted exposure” of any length (as per P5).

    • But if the scene has movement in it, TTG photographers may face limits to the length of that “single uninterrupted exposure,” as per P4/P5.

  • 6. Panning and camera shake

    • Panning is allowed in single-exposure photos but not in multiple-exposure photos where it results in SMP effects

    • Slight camera shake does not disqualify photos from TTG

    Guide to panning and camera shake

  • 7. Depicting motion

    Some motion-related effects are allowed; others aren't. See the guide

  • 8. Using flash

    • Normal use of flash for subjects that are essentially motionless and unchanging will not disqualify the resulting photo from TTG.

    • But multiple flash bursts on a moving subject will result in ghost objects or SMP effects that disqualify the photo from TTG (per P4).

    • Removing flash reflections disqualifies the photo from TTG (per P2).

    Guide to using flash

  • 9. Combining exposures

    There are some major restrictions; see the guide to combining exposures.