As a rather vocal proponent of photography as an artistic medium (with a tip of the beret to Rick) I have lots of opinions. Most of which I'm more than happy to share at the least provocation.

"1. Those that love photography/art." Read directly, this category includes those that don't make it, but just enjoy it. Though it's presumptuous, I'll assume that you mean those that love making photographs/art, but don't play to an audience as artists. This gives my viewpoint a different twist than Robert.

People who study photography, enjoy the many aspects of it, treat it like a hobby or craft, and feel good about their photographs are the majority of the people who do serious work with cameras. But, in the main, they don't call themselves artists, and don't claim what they produce is art. But they fill a part of their lives with photography, whether making their own, or appreciating the work of others.

"2. those that love being photographers/artists." And to distinguish this group from the former, these people call themselves artists and claim they make art. But I'll read something else into your question - something that really might not be there. Does this category enjoy the attention they get from the claim to make art? Does the umbra of artist mean something beyond someone who makes art, and allow some self-satisfaction of being better than the first category?

I used to think anyone with the audacity to call himself an artist was grasping for recognition that wasn't merited. But that was when I thought "artist" was a title, and not just another job - something that had to be bestowed by someone else. Since then, though, several things have changed my mind.

Discussions of the nature of art early on convinced me that bad art is art too, therefore a bad artist is also an artist. And if there can be a bad artist, the term artist is certianly not one that would be bestowed on that person. More thought (mine and others) came to a credible position that art is what's made by artists, and the reverse. There doesn't seem to be, for me anyway, a better definition.

And finally, it really is cool to be able to wear black alot, get lots of free wine and cheese, and say stuff that others take as profound, and get away with it all - because I'm an artist.

-Don