How can a photographer indicate that an "altered" photograph is distinguishable from an "as found" photograph?

Indicating that a photograph has been altered compared to an "as found" photograph can be effectively achieved by changing the background. This approach creates a clear distinction between the original scene and the modified image, making it evident to viewers that the photograph has undergone significant transformation. The background is a foundational aspect of a photograph's context, and altering it can dramatically change the perception and interpretation of the image.

While adjusting focus, changing camera angles, or altering colors can also modify the visual impact of a photograph, these actions might not clearly signify an alteration of the reality captured. Focus adjustments can sometimes enhance the subject without fundamentally changing the context, and variations in camera angles may provide different perspectives of the same scene rather than indicating an alteration. Changing colors can create a stylistic effect but might not communicate that the photograph has been manipulated. Thus, changing the background serves as a more explicit method to signal the alteration of a photograph.