photography vs photography A Japanese photographer once said "Why is there a need for a difference between photography and Art Photography? I really don't understand the need to."

Well, if the photographer weren't so established already, it would seem logical for him to say so. For someone who's not so established, it would be a hard job trying to convince a gallery, a lecturer, a critic that your images are art, and not just the same thing that anyone else would have taken. Or, just because it's CAN be taken by anyone else, does it make it less of an art?

I personally don't see the need to differentiate between the two, they ARE essentially the same. But when it comes to commerce, it becomes necessary.

Commercialism can kill art.

But when a conversation like this comes up about any particular piece of image, it becomes art at that instant. Because, isn't art about exploration? Isn't art about sharing across views and cultures?

Commercialism can also promote art.  ¶ 15:43