Rethinking Redshift Through Photon Frequency Drift

This paper reexamines the interpretation of cosmological redshift through the lens of photon frequency drift rather than recessional velocity alone. Using observational supernova data and host galaxy comparisons, it explores whether a small, cumulative loss of photon energy over cosmological distances can account for observed redshift trends without requiring additional unseen components. The analysis is presented as a phenomenological pilot study, highlighting where standard assumptions enter redshift interpretation and identifying testable implications for observational cosmology.