> However, it is not just that, and when it comes to making a living, then the story changes.

Isn't this the case with all art?

There are many commercial artist that are putting some of their creative input to the side to make something that sells. That doesn't stop it from being art.

There are photographers that in their daily lives make school pictures or journalistic picutres while they may be more interested in making artistic pictures.

The same used to be for painters (a lot of the great painters actually) used to mostly make portraits or commission pieces to order, not to their taste.

Same goes for writers, videographers and other arts.

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conradludgate an hour ago | parent [-]

I think a key difference is that most programming careers, the artistic outlet (code) is not what is being sold to customers. The customer might feel something if the app works fast, but they won't feel anything about the fun bit packing and struct-of-array design you did for personal enjoyment

	▲	trashb an hour ago \| parent [-]
		Sure but most day to day professional photos are not shot because the subject is so interesting or the composition is so intriguing. They are shot to accompany a flyer, sell a product or to give a grandchild picture to their grandparents, or to get a picture on your drivers license. Even though the photographer uses a lot of techniques and knowledge to frame their shots and get a good picture, artistic values that is often not the function.