Manipulation within photography isn't anything new and has been used creatively since the medium's inception. Some of the most celebrated photographers have been cutting up negatives, creating photomontages and constructing surreal scenes - take Man Ray as an example. The Sony World Photography Awards embraces all genres, techniques and styles, and images that have been heavily manipulated have often go far. It's key to remember that any manipulation should be for creative expression rather than deceiption, and it's important for the photographer to choose the right category if they do alter an image dramatically. The Creative categories in the Open and Professional competitions, for example, are the right fit for any images that have undergone a heavy edit.