Contribution of different manipulation techniques to photography

The aim of this research is to examine the photographer's views on the relationship between manipulation, photography and art. As an art that has always been handled with manipulation as an art, photography has made it necessary to reevaluate the relationship of photo manipulation from different perspectives with the development of digital technologies in recent years. In the context of this importance, data were collected from 13 professional photographers through the interview form, which is one of the qualitative data collection tools, in accordance with the qualitative research design. In the literature part of the study, the relationship between photography, manipulation and art was examined. In addition, manipulation techniques and manipulation application methods are explained. In addition, it has been observed that digital technologies are articulated not only in photography but also in other fields of art (cinema, painting, etc.). When the findings obtained in the research were evaluated, it was determined that digital technologies were widely used in the art of photography. As a matter of fact, it is seen that many simple manipulation techniques applied digitally are also used by amateur photographers. When it comes to professional photographers, it has been determined that photography as a branch of art cannot be abstracted from manipulation. The idea that technology is not external but immanent in the art of photography has been influential in the emergence of this argument. As a matter of fact, as stated in the opinions of many participants, manipulation begins in every adjustment process made on cameras. The relationship between manipulation and photography is handled as manipulations before, during and after taking a photo. However, it has been determined that cutting, adding, removing and dust/stain removal processes are the most used manipulation techniques in the research.