Nadar was a pioneering French photographer and balloonist, born as Gaspard-Félix Tournachon in 1820. He is best known for his innovative portrait photography and for being one of the first to take aerial photographs from a hot air balloon. His work significantly influenced the field of photography, showcasing the potential of capturing images from unique perspectives. In addition to photography, Nadar was also a caricaturist and writer, contributing to the artistic and literary culture of his time. He was associated with notable figures such as Charles Baudelaire and Gustave Courbet, and his studio became a gathering place for artists and intellectuals in 19th-century Paris.