Photography is able to catch a fleeting moment with greater ability than a painting and as a consequence can be a very handy tool for an artist. Once Baldessari’s realized this he was able to change artistic direction in a way that made him stand out from his contemporaries. The harsh depiction of reality in photography infiltrated his painting to create a crossing over of the two art forms. Baldessari’s work is embracing multiple methods of art making and it should not be pigeon holed into one category. Once photography infiltrated his work he actually became more creative than when he was using it less often. He became more open minded to what exactly art entails and began to create work that broke with expectations.

An example of an artist crossing the boundaries between photography and painting is Julia Margaret Cameron. Her depiction of Herschel shows her attempt to show the versatility of the medium as a way of trying to convince others that photography should be accepted as high art. By referencing Rembrandt through the use of lighting and the lack of clarity, she is elevating her works status. The soft focus adds an emotional element and the light emphasizes particularly characteristics such as his wisdom and intelligence. Lighting is a vital component of painting too and artists recognize that it can alter the mood of a piece dramatically. Many paintings use broad brush strokes to create a lively or emotionally fuelled composition and the soft focus has a similar effect. Cameron has not just asked the man to sit still for a photograph but has made a concerted effort to create an engaging and intriguing image.