Is Creative Photo Editing Cheating?

I pointed out so many times in my previous posts that you don't have to be perfect photographer to get beautiful photo results. Composition, proper exposure, and sharp images are important because you need that foundation for limitless photo creations.
There is something more than you have to invest, and that is time and effort in mastering editing. Today's software's are opening the door to an unimaginable creativity.

You don't like that car behind you in a photo, you can erase it like it has never been there. Want a low key photo without using a softbox or special lighting, no problem, just use that selective editing magic.

Many people neglect long learning curve of editing, and after some time they ask themselves why they can't get that professional looking results, why are they getting blunt photos in spite of all the effort in nailing down the composition and exposure. The answer is more than obvious, you didn't do your editing homework, it is simple as that! Is creative editing cheating? The answer is: NO!

Not many professional photographers will admit that they are using software trickery, but they do, more often then hobbyists. Here are some examples of what results you can get using editing software.

And these are originals out of camera