British Photograper. When, in 1863, she was 48, she received her first camera a gift from her daughter and son-in-law. Already she was an ambitious and devoted pioneer of photography with a dominating attitude. In 1865, she acquired a larger camera that took 15x 12 indh wet collodion plates. She began a series of large-scale, close-up portraits. The camera had a 30 inch focal length Dallmeyer lens.Compared to a standard lens. With this long-focus lens there was less perspective distortion and a more attractive view of the face.Her outstanding portraits of famous men and women between 1866 and 1870 were achieved by her seeking their personality, thoughts and intentions, resulting in compelling portraits of the sitters (who were also strongly defined by the black backgrounds). Her aim was to "electrify you with delight and startle the world"