Photography in the Modern Age

Is it original or is it Photoshop? Look at photos in galleries online, or the photos that are a part of contests. It seems like most of what is say chosen for a "Photo of the day" has been changed in some way. Now I'm not talking cropping or dodging because us "dinosaur traditionalists" use to do that in the darkroom. But I am talking totally changing out the backgound, eliminating the power lines and power poles in the image and just plain coming out with a total different photograph in the end. Don't get me wrong I like being able to change some things in photographs from time to time. But if a person has a really great photograph taken with standard film or digital that they composed and shot with no modifications except maybe cropping, it is seemingly rare that they get the same acknowledgment as someone who changed the whole image. It is all good and a creative expression using the tools available but where is the satisfaction of actually being a good photographer without the hype. I'm not complaining but it is something to think about.



The above two Photographs were taken using a Fujifinepix A210 3.2 digital camera, neither are enhanced. Not bad for not having been photoshopped.
AAEtm