An argument is given on the basis of S-matrix theory, as follows: photons interact with all charged particles, including strongly interacting ones; hence, if the strongly interacting particles are nonelementary, then the photon must also be nonelementary. The consequences of the hypothesis of photon nonelementarity, and means for testing its validity by studies at high energies, are discussed. Assuming that the photon is nonelementary, it is hypothesized that it is associated with a Regge trajectory with odd signature having the property that alpha /sub 1/ (0) = 1. (T. F.H.)