You can do it if you know how to use the alpha channels and such, but it would be difficult.

As I recall from the last thesis I wrote, I was already deeply involved in the subject I was researching.

That would suggest to me, you should have a few years of personal experience manipulating photos using many different programs and protocols. Indeed some experience doing traditional retouching using pigments, brushes, air brushes and many other non-digital methods.

Bottom line … start your thesis based upon your research leading up to this point in your academic career.