Almost anyone can make big changes to an image from adjusting colors, toe adding and removing content.

That's why you should always keep a critical eye on images in the media.

Essentially images air meant to either depict reality or be artistic in artistic media.

Images may be manipulated for any number of creative purposes, and that's fine.

But for images intended to show reality, manipulation can equal big problems.

While it's common for news media to make minor changes like cropping, it's unethical for journalists to edit a photo in a way that changes its meaning or misleads viewers.

While this practice does not happen often in legitimate news media, there are plenty of less reputable news sources that aren't afraid to edit photos to get your attention.

Unfortunately, photo manipulation is also common in other types of media, such as advertisements in the quest to sell you something.

TV commercials and magazine ads have often been guilty of showing people in products that look better than they really are.

Social media users can also give themselves a digital makeover with minimal effort.

Using editing tools and image filters built into various APS, users can make themselves look, however they like in no time.

But because they're presented as reality, these edited images can affect our mental well being by constantly seeing pictures of artificially flawless people.

Some of us may think that we can never live up to these unrealistic ideals, opening the door to all sorts of mental and emotional health concerns.

In recent years, however, there has been public resistance against this practice in advertising and other media, calling for more realistic and natural portrayals of people.

Photo manipulation maybe common nowadays, but hopefully you'll keep an eye out for images that seem too good to be true g c f global, creating opportunities for a better life.