My camera has a built-in function for focus staking which I use for macros and closeup then process in Affinity. I was just reading an article about focus stacking in landscapes and it made me wonder. 'what if I used the in-camera function?" I am thinking of setting the initial focal point at the hyperfocal distance (determined by PhotoPills) then shooting off a series of images. I can't think of a reason it wouldn't work but we are socked into today so I have no way to test it.

Thoughts?

And what is wrong with an image being a "Creation"? Every image is one. I don't know any photographer who decides on what techniques to use in order to be considered the "Greatest Gift from God". I certainly don't. I just make my art to please myself. If others like it, fine. I just resent being called dishonest when all I am trying to do it produce photographs to the best of my ability in the same ways photographers have done since it was invented. By the way, not every photograph captures a Unique Moment in Time. Ever hear of a time exposure? Or is that deceptive also?

I posed the same question, in a way. https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-669947-1.html It's gone on for 12 or so pages now. There are a number of opinions expressed. Under certain circumstances, putting things into photographs that weren't there can be suitable for advertising or commercial work.

Personally, I have no issue with folks who want to put stuff in a photograph that wasn't there at the time of taking the photograph. I have an integrity issue with people who do so and want others to think that's what they captured initially and through some incredible amount of talent, which isn't existent in reality, they produced an incredible photograph. Sure, create a category of "creative spaces" and let folks replace whatever they want. Just be honest about it.

In my own photography, I alter the processing times to suit the tonal range. I use burning and dodging techniques to make slight additional adjustments to tonal ranges, but I don't put stuff in there that wasn't in the original scene. That is disingenuous. It's a matter of personal integrity.

From the viewpoint of the software manufacturers, it's a marketing strategy. We'll give you the tools to accomplish that which you couldn't do on your own. That's my perspective.
--Bob