Charles Negre (1820-1880) was a French photographer who is best known for his pioneering work in the field of photography. He was born in Marseille, France, and began his career as a painter before turning to photography in 1851.
Negre quickly became one of the most influential photographers of his time, and is credited with introducing the daguerreotype process to France. He was also one of the first photographers to experiment with photomontage, combining multiple images into one composition. His work often featured landscapes and cityscapes, as well as portraits of famous figures such as Victor Hugo and Napoleon III.
Negre's work was highly acclaimed during his lifetime, and he received numerous awards for his contributions to photography. He was also a founding member of the Société Française de Photographie, an organization dedicated to promoting photography in France.
Negre's influence on photography can still be seen today; many modern photographers cite him as an inspiration for their own work. His legacy lives on through his photographs, which are now held in numerous museums around the world.