George Frederick Watts - Early photography, Public domain image

David Wilkie Wynfield was born on 1 January 1837 in India, where his father was a judge. He was educated in England and later studied art in Paris under the tutelage of the painter Charles Gleyre. Wynfield began his career as a painter, specialising in portraits and historical scenes. In the 1860s, however, he turned to photography and became known for his innovative techniques and artistic approach to the medium. He was particularly interested in the use of light and shadow to create dramatic effects in his photographs. Wynfield's photographic subjects included portraits, genre scenes and allegorical compositions. He often used friends and family as models and his photographs were noted for their sensitivity and psychological depth. His work was also influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite movement, which emphasised naturalism and attention to detail. Wynfield's photographs were exhibited at the Royal Photographic Society and the Photographic Society of London, and he won several medals for his work. He also published a book of his photographs entitled 'Studies from the Antique' in 1879. Wynfield died on 22 May 1887, aged 50. His contributions to photography are still celebrated today and his work is held in collections around the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.