If the photgrapher faked it and lied about ot it says far more about him than it does about the final image.
If he'd "pasted" an image of an eagle not present at the site of the photograph of the cemetery and presented it as a "work of art" even going so far as to communicate that fact.. there would be no controversy.
the Art as art stands...
For Example:
Barack Obama was not present in front of the depression era check cashing "store" as conveyed here. This image was purposfully "crafted" to convey a concept.
If the Photographer used a similar technique in "manufacturing" the photo he presented it would not bother me in the least in terms of whats CONVEYED un the image. He says he did not.
I have lots of experience with similar "operations" and frankly Im not certain.