Good photography is an art in itself, but becoming an "Artiste" requires a highly developed aesthetic.

I'll remove tongue from cheek, and make my point. My images speak for themself to those who are with me. I exhibit work and sell prints as an exercise, but I haven't put the effort (yet) into promoting myself as a pure artist. The crossover into my other work cannot be denied however. Even the most bizarre images have commercial applications, and artistic sensibilites are essential for most successful photography.