Theoretically, the photographer can compare with the artist-painter, but he has other means of representation.
However, generally accepted that the artist is one who knows how to draw. Could be an artist not a man who knew how to draw?
Usually this will happen. Those who can not draw, and the slope is - becomes a photographer.
If you sell an image and not the negatives /digital object and guarantees that the photographer is not zanachil stack of copies, then buy as a collector's rarity makes no sense (to me). Exceptions are retro photo negatives are likely lost. But if the photo will be autographed by the photographer, it will be more expensive. For example, the artist Fairy during the advertising companies Obama sold through online store posters drawn from photographs, like 30 dollarikov, but with his autograph and a very well earned.