Final answer:
Early photography was influenced by portrait painting as it filled the demand for portraiture among the middle classes. Daguerreotypes were the first popular method for portrait photography, and early photographers took cues from painting in terms of lighting and composition. Notable examples include the works of Alfred Stieglitz, who combined painterly techniques with the mechanics of photography.
Step-by-step explanation:
The evolution of early photography was significantly influenced by the limitations of portrait painting during the Industrial Revolution. The burgeoning middle classes desired portraiture, but oil painting was too expensive and not easily reproducible. The introduction of the Daguerreotype addressed this need by providing an affordable and popular method for capturing likenesses. Despite their fragility and the cumbersome process involving toxic chemicals and plates, Daguerreotypes filled the portrait demand of the time.
Portrait photography quickly became a widespread use of the new medium, with commercial studios appearing across Europe and America. Entrepreneurs like Nadar capitalized on this, opening studios and establishing photography as a commercial enterprise.
In terms of artistic portrayal, portrait paintings oftentimes conveyed status and position, and could be monumental in size. An example of this is the variety of portraits done by Gilbert Stuart of George Washington prior to the era of photography. These portrayed the first president in various poses and became the accepted image of him. Similarly, early photographers took cues from painting, particularly in aspects like lighting and composition, to convey character and status in their photographs.
Renowned artists such as Anthony Van Dyck, influenced by Rubens, and Rembrandt with his self-portraits, also set a precedent for capturing character and depth, elements that were translated into photographic portraits. This transition is evident in the works of early photographers who strived for an artful composition, as seen in the portraits by Alfred Stieglitz, such as the hand-colored portrait of Katherine Stieglitz, which combined the painterly approach with the mechanics of photography.