Do we, the viewer have a different reaction to the media of photography than we do to a painting or sculpture? the

Yes.

Explanation:

Photography is images of things that are already in existence and the there and now and exact.

While painting and sculpture not only takes more times but even if it is of something specific it will never be exact and is needed to be created to exist.

Hence, even though both are forms of art; someone would have a different reaction to something that is created by hands than something that is a photo of something already in existence. One is not better than the other but the reactions would be different and people would probably be more impressed by a painting or sculpture.

I hope this helped. :)