Back in the days of 35mm film cameras and sending your pictures off to the chemist or the photo labs to be developed, you knew that what you got back was what you’d taken through the camera lens. The camera, as they say, never lies.

These days however with digital cameras, a multitude of camera effects and of course the availability of photo editing software such as PhotoShop, the camera doesn’t just lie, it completely makes up what you want it to.

You can take a photo of your subject against a white wall, drop them into any background or setting that you want and create it so that it looks real. You can correct any errors with the picture, such as poor lighting and intrusive objects, plus you can even correct any errors with your subject. For example you could get rid of spots, red-eye, whiten their teeth or even reduce their weight.

The power of image manipulation software is incredible, but is it real photography?

The truth is yes. You don’t think those recent photos that have adorned OK magazine from Wayne and Colleen’s wedding didn’t go unedited do you? She doesn’t look that good without some airbrush and clone tool work from PhotoShop. If you want your photos to look as good as the professionals, especially if you’re looking to get them printed on canvas, you’ll want to find yourself some image manipulation software and give yourself a PhotoShop makeover.

It’s not cheating; it’s what the professionals do!