I make pictures.
That’s it in a nutshell. I don't see much distinction between CGI and Photography. They're both cameras, lenses and composition, one's just virtual. And I have no qualms about retouching to the point of illustration, but at the same time my journalism background allows me to appreciate leaving imperfections in a shot simply because "that's how it was."
It all comes down to intent. Every image takes its own path, I just adjust what I do to get it there.