Photography....what is it?

Many people think that Photography isn't a form of art. Photography on it's own is an individual form of expression. In which ones thoughts, experiences, feelings and sometimes even ones soul is shown through the artists work. Photographers tend to take pictures through which their work, in some manor, express's an experience or possible belief that they might have on different topics. So how can people honestly go out and say that photography isn't a form of art?