Keep it real?

With modern digital image processing you can alter an image almost unrecognisable, you could literally take a lion and place it inside a swimming pool with a floatation device around its waist while sipping on margarita. There is a debate on whether this detracts from the essence of photography but the reality is people have been modifying and manipulating photographs soon after the first camera was invented. Using different exposure techniques in a darkroom, telling their story in the way they wanted it to be told. I am still very much in the space of trying to keep the image as realistic as possible but am starting to explore Lightroom a little more and alter images to create a certain mood or feel. I personally love what people are able to achieve with photoshop and its place in fine art photography. This is something I look forward to exploring further along my journey.