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Stillfried initially served in the Austrian army but later pursued photography as a career. He traveled extensively throughout Japan in the 1870s, capturing images of landscapes, architecture, people, and customs. His photographs provide valuable insights into Japan during the Meiji era, offering glimpses into a society that was rapidly modernizing and changing. In 1872, Stillfried opened a photography studio in Yokohama, which became highly successful. He collaborated with various photographers, including Felice Beato, and acquired and sold negatives of their works. Stillfried's studio produced a vast array of photographs, including hand-colored albumen prints, stereographs, and souvenir albums that catered to Western tourists' interests in Japanese culture. Despite his significant contributions to early Japanese photography, Stillfried's methods were not always well-received. Some critics accused him of staging scenes or manipulating images to suit Western tastes and stereotypes. Nevertheless, his work remains important for its historical and cultural significance.