a camera will never capture how you really see it and how you feel about it

It's photographer's desicion how they would want to present their images. That's why there are different styles and different people. Nobody can force you to like something that you don't but you can't say what is right and what is wrong. It's a matter of choise.

I often hear or read about people saying "of course. They used photoshop." If someone thinks photography is easy, try it. If someone thinks editing is easy, I dare you. A crappy photo will always be a crappy photo. In most of the cases the post processing is possible because the photographer knew how to take the photo in a way that they would have all they needed to work with and give it the look they want. Things aren't that simple. And if you find articles like this as an excuse and say "sure the photos are better than mine but I don't process them", then go for it. Try and see. No excuses. These photos take some really hard work to end up looking like this. It's not cheating. It's actually harder! Oof. Sorry.

In the old days of course there wasn't such a thing as photoshop. The photographers used to burn and dodge in the darkroom to get the images they wanted, ooooh just like using photoshop in fact. Different times and different skills, however the common theme is Somebody had to compose and take the shot in the first place.

Still takes mad skills to be a pro photographer...post production used to happen in the darkroom, now it's on a screen.

Awsome !

Purists versus creative freedom discussions. lovely! Personally I think photography is an art that is about capturing reality. That is it's essence. If you decide that you want to create an expression of art with a medium like a camera that is about altering reality, you should be more creative than simply enhance this reality with more vibrant colors or a stunning background. Because that is not art, it is simply a tool you use to trick someone into believing something is prettier than it actually is. There could be nothing wrong with that if that is what you like doing or looking at....proving you are not trying to sell me a ticket to a holiday location with this....art.

I don't think there's really anything wrong with this type of photoshop. I mean, it's another format of art and creativity. It encourages people to go out and explore the beautiful world. The images are pretty great even before the manipulations but, like painting a picture, photo shopping your photographs is another form of personal expression and creativity. You're not going to bash someone for not painting a realistic picture exactly how it looks, right? If you still don't belive me, pick up your camera, go take a photo, and try to make it look as awesome as these. It's not always as easy as you think.

Can do nowadays ;)

Thanks so much Julija I needed that I was starting to feel most depressed my photos are never as good as the online ones the ones I see on instagram now I know why Thanks a million.