cicindela
··Steve @ ΩFSo your photographer does not:
Adjust the curve of the exposure, to maximise, the tonal range ?
Sharpen the image, to reduce the effect of the ‘anti-alias’ filter ?
Clone out dropped pixels, or dust ?
Colour balance the temperature of the light ?
Interesting technique…
ANY image that you see second hand is either a chemical or electronic and optical rendition of the object.
Generally the term photo-shopped is used colloquially to indicate grossly altered often to deceive.
Beyond that we can argue until the Swiss cows come home, so lets not.