Have you noticed that it is becoming common place to ask or say- "Is that photo real?" or "They cheated and used Photoshop?" I think the better questions are what is a photograph, and is it ever wrong to alter the image a camera captures?

Many have tackled these questions by offering their opinions and feelings on the subject. I have heard it said that photographs are recordings of the physical world and should never be altered; alterations are dishonest and misrepresent the image. Others have said photos are art and represent the vision and emotion of the artist. Therefore, no limits should be placed on the photographer's creativity.

Let's look at what the word means. The Merriam- Webster Dictionary says that "photography" is "the art or process of producing images by the action of radiant energy and especially light on a sensitive surface." The Oxford Dictionary defines photography as "the art or practice of taking and processing photographs." By definition then photography is art and is a process. It is understood that some art is "realistic" while other art may represent an "impression" or be "surreal."

The only thing wrong or "cheating" when it comes to photography is if someone misrepresents a photo. Journalists, for example, should not be altering photos intended to represent actual events. But those of us who enjoy creating images that we believe are beautiful, interesting, fun, challenging, etc. should be free to let our creativity and imaginations loose. We still get to call our creations photographs, and there is nothing wrong with that. For those of you who want or expect something more sterile- call it digital art :)