Is it Cheating to use Photoshop ?

In the history of photography, there has never been a time that we can achieve such phenomenal results in editing as has happened in the digital age,but is it cheating to use photoshop?  The use of Adobe Photoshop in particular has become so widespread that the term, “to Photoshop” has become a verb that means to enhance or alter an image. 
We can “Photoshop in” new outfits, accessories or even people to a shot where it was just not possible before. Similarly, we can “Photoshop” out things from a picture we don’t want to see there anymore.  So if you have a physical flaw, that can be removed.  You can even remove distractions from the background of a shot.  The program is so sophisticated that these images are possible and you really cannot tell the alteration has been made.

So, is it cheating? Like many things that depends on your intentions. If you present a heavily altered image as a true likeness then the answer is yes. If you simply intend to present that image looking its best and make no claims to the contrary then you are doing absolutely nothing wrong. In my opinion at least! At my own studio we often use Photoshop to enhance our images. This can range from removing a cold-sore from a subject's lip to completely changing a background. In Portrait Photography, often the trick is to make it look as if nothing has been done. On the other hand there are times when your trickery with Photoshop will be obvious as in the image here.

Photoshop has become a fact of life in the photographic industry. We have all seen heavily retouched images of models and celebrities on the front pages of magazines or in advertisements, often presenting a picture of unrealistic perfection. Taken this far it is certainly cheating but that is the fault of the advertisers and publishers. Photoshop is an amazing tool, use it wisely and honestly to enhance your images and your conscience should be clear.

Visit our website at Images By George and see if you can spot which images have been Photoshopped. If I have done my job well you should have difficulty, most of the time.