Particles, Waves, and Such

I've seen is said that photons are particles with some wavelike properties. Someone else might say they are waves with some particle like properties.

Both are wrong. In fact, photons, and other subatomic "things" are neither particles nor waves. They are what they are. Thinking of them as particles at times, and waves at other times is simply a convenience that is used so that people can get a mental handle on them.

One can use the elephant analogy I've heard used. That is, three blind wise men happened on an elephant. The first happens on the trunk, and states, "an elephant is like a hose." The second happens on the side of the elephant, and states, "an elephant is like a wall." The third happens on the tail, and states, "an elephant is like a rope." In fact, although all have a portion of the truth, they are all wrong.

The same is true of photons, and other subatomic "things."