If there was a discarded cigarette end floating, but static, in the water(out of reach for you to remove at the time of taking it)you then have the dilemma of whether to remove it, or not, during post processing.

In my book, in this instance your creating a piece of fine art; you are portryaing a scene of beauty. It’s going to reduce market value with that cigarette end in it. If, on the other hand, your fundamental approach is to show everything as it actually is, for example a documentary piece, and the end user is buying the piece because they know that’s your work ethic. Then removing the cigarette end would mean changing the integrity of the photo.

DT

I think the limited edition prints sound like a fantastic idea and they would definitely sell as investment pieces- particularly as they are signed. Considering the woeful offerings I have seen in High Street stores which people are willing to buy (at extraordinary prices), yours would be a complete delight at a very reasonable price.

About tweaking images, sure everyone does it, even on film! (darkroom isn’t just for developing). And with RAW it’s like to have a negative and to develop it (isn’t it called a lightroom? lol), the tweaking always been part of the process!
After it’s all about being honest with yourself and your photographs, and it depends on what kind of photo you do.
I think tweaking (adjusting, cropping, etc.) images is NOT the same as advertising or fashion pics, where they may change all the picture, add or take away elements (I know the process, my bro’ is working on retouching pics)…
Anyway, it’ll always be discussions around that topic, so as we say in french “un vent de folie souffle dans les alpages, abritons-nous et laissons-le passer” which could be translated to something like “a wind of madness is blowing in the mountains, let’s shelter and let it blow”
Cheers!