Carleton Watkins was born in 1829 in Oneonta, New York to John and Julia Watkins. In 1851 Watkins moved to San Fransisco during the California Gold Rush. Before working in photographs, Watkins originally delivered supplies to mining operations, was a store clerk at a bookstore. The store at which Watkins worked was near a photography studio belonging to Robert Vance. Watkins was introduced to photography when one of Vance's employees left suddenly, giving the opportunity to look after the studio. After learning the art, Watkins photographed the Pacific coast during the 1860's and 1870's, capturing the landscape in startling ways using stereoscopic and mammoth-plate formats. In 1865 the California State Geological Survey chose Watkins to be the official photographer.
Watkins did not publish any books, however the photographer opened the Yosemite Art Gallery where he displayed several Pacific Coast landscapes. Unfortunately Watkins, a terrible businessman, lost his gallery to J.J. Cook. In 1906, the gallery was lost in the San Francisco earthquake and fire.
Watkins's medical decline began in the 1890's with loss of sight, which lead to the inability to pay rent. In 1909, Watkins was declared incompetent and his daughter cared for him. In 1910, he was committed to the Napa State Hospital for the Insane, and he died in 1916. Watkins's legacy lives on in his stunning pictures of Yosemite.
The Half Dome
Vernal Fall
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