Poor Joe - Early photography, Public domain image

Oscar Gustave Rejlander (1813–1875) was a pioneering Swedish photographer, best known for his innovative photographic techniques and his contributions to the development of early photography. Born in Sweden in 1813, Rejlander worked as a painter before turning to photography in the 1850s. He quickly gained a reputation for his innovative techniques, including the use of multiple negatives to create composite images and his ability to manipulate photographs to create dramatic effects. Rejlander's most famous work is 'Two Ways of Life' (1857), a composite image made from over thirty negatives, depicting a scene of debauchery contrasted with one of virtue. The image was widely reproduced and became one of the most popular and influential photographs of the Victorian era. Rejlander was also an accomplished portrait photographer, working with many of the notable figures of the day, including Charles Darwin and Queen Victoria. He continued to experiment with photographic techniques throughout his career and his work had a significant impact on the development of photography as an art form. Rejlander died in 1875, but his legacy lives on in his pioneering contributions to the field of photography.