LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

My nephew used to be a staff photographer for a large newspaper. He recounted to me an incident that took place during the OJ Simpson trial. A well known and highly respected periodical magazine took a photo of OJ and altered it to make him look more sinister and evil then the original photo showed. They got called out on it by someone my nephew knew who he described as being near the top of the food chain of journalistic photography. The magazine ended up issuing a retraction and apology. As much as I hate to agree to any degree with anything Trump says, the incident does show that the media will, at times anyway, attempt to alter perception and that it has been going on for probably far longer then any of us suspect. I'm not saying all media all of the time, but, I think it is safe to say that there are individuals and probably groups within media organizations willing to present their version of things as fact.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Sometimes it works, sometimes not. And it's always your choice. To me, it works in this case.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Artistic photography, sure, why not.
Photo journalism, never ever.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

It depends upon whether you consider yourself a documentarian or journalist photographer or you consider yourself a fine art photographer. The first two leave everything as is, the third one believes there is no limit to what they can do with an image. Up to you! Photography is a "solo sport" not a group sport so the photographer gets to decide what it is that they want to say or do without any other input and that's why I love it.

Greg Huntsinger Loc: Battle Ground WA.

add blue sky

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

As a wall hanging, the original (first page) number two is the most attractive.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Folks aroud here are always saying that photography is an art. They constantly remind us that we are "painting with light".

If you were a painter and came upon that scene, you would be free to interpret it or alter it as you see fit. There would be no before and after- you painting would be your interpretation. Oftentimes painters and other artists use a scene, a person, or or an object as a basis for their own interpretation. Why not? Some photographs have journalistic or documentary value or importance and those should not be altered so as to misrepresent the story.There are certin ethics attached to news, history and documentation. All the rest- paint away.

You did a good job on this image. Although you changed the background and the skyscape, the light quality on the barn does not seem incompatible with the sky conditions. The perspective is believable.

Sometimes I see a picture I like- I enjoy viewing it and I don't worry about exactly how it was created or if it is a real scene as is, or if the artist dreamed it up in his own imagination.

Good work! You da artist- do your art!

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Should it, or should it not, that's up to you! It sure is nice to be able to do it so easily in pp these days!

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Ultimately, it very much depends on what the photo means to you, what purpose it serves.

If you simply want the image to portray an idealized scene and it is not important if it actually existed or not, then alter it in any way you feel will improve it. You can even add grazing horses or punctuate the sky with a rainbow if you wish.

But if your intent is to document a real experience as accurately as possible, then maybe keep the editing minimal and avoid altogether pasting things into it that weren't really there.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Like what you've done to this image.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

It’s no longer a photo, it becomes your work of art. Based upon your examples, you are an artist. Thanks for sharing them.

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

Your second photo is excellent !

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I tend to be a realist guy but I have to admit I like #2 and #3 better

tcthome Loc: NJ

I agree.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

I'll go with the black and white. Something about your otherwise good work, just doesn't look right with the color version.