Mongo is glad you mentioned this even though, from Mongo's perspective , what is said by H.T. is self evident and hopefully should be to all.
When you line up a "photo" and press the shutter, you can be a living photocopier or you can be an artist.
Having said this, it is clear that a lot of photographers are "photographers" and not necessarily "artists". The reasons for that vary but one of the biggest reasons is that there is a real need for things just being "recorded" by photography with often little scope or desire by the recipient of the photos to have anything other than a good "likeness" or event recorded as accurately as possible. Mongo is often guilty of this with his bird images (with very few exceptions) are intended to be as accurate (but also hopefully interesting) as possible. We all do it.
The other interesting thing Mongo has noticed is that when a photographer does something more creative and outside the box, it is mostly met with enthusiasm and encouragement by photographers. It seems that the urge to be creative is in most even though we do not get every opportunity to practise it. We all look for that special moment or look or lighting or some other component of creativity that might make the image more interesting and appealing whenever possible.
If you are a pure artist who does not rely on photography for a living and can shoot whatever your passions demand - fine - go for it with or without the need for anyone else to like it. If you are commissioned to shoot a wedding, it may be more restrictive in what you can do subject to the bride and groom's wishes and broadness of mind and taste. Shooting catalogues or products has less scope again unless for a racing car etc.
Mongo has a great deal of respect and liking for photographs that are not merely an accurate depiction of the subject. If someone goes to that extra trouble to "create" something different through their thinking about it, seeking out and combining elements, using their skill to manipulate and mould it into something of their own mind/imagination, it is always something more than a photocopy (whether it appeals to you or not).
Ansel Adams would reasonably quickly take an image after working out the desired location and perspective. He would then spend an inordinate amount of time in the dark room working out every small section of the intended final image. There was no doubt he was not producing what he saw - he was creating what he wanted to see.
