Frowning Cliff, Difficulty Glen. [Watkins, New York]

George F. Gates quickly gained a reputation as a talented photographer and opened his own studio in New York City in 1865. He specialised in portrait photography and his clients included many of the prominent figures of the day, such as politicians, actors and business leaders. In addition to his work as a portrait photographer, Gates also documented important events of the day, such as the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge and the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. He also travelled extensively throughout the United States, photographing landscapes and cityscapes. Gates was known for his technical skill as a photographer, and he was particularly adept at using light and shadow to create dramatic effects in his portraits. He was also a pioneer in the use of composite photography, in which several images are combined to create a single portrait. Gates continued to work as a photographer until his death in 1904. Today, his photographs are in the collections of museums and libraries throughout the United States, including the Library of Congress and the New York Public Library.