From time to time, a photographer's work is dismissed (in art circles) as being too "commercial". For instance, that's something I have read about Bruce Davidson's work after East 100th Street (including Subway, Central Park, and Portraits), or Mary Ellen Mark's work after Ward 81 and Falkland Road (which therefore includes most of her titles).

What I am wondering is what does that exactly mean ? What are the characteristics of one's work that make it "commercial" ? Is it just the fact that it has a wide appeal ?