Eugene O. Goldbeck's career choice
was decided in 1901 when he made a "snapshot" of President William McKinley's
visit to San Antonio. He went on to teach and promote himself as a photographer
and eventually started his own photography news service.

Although Goldbeck worked with all
sizes of cameras, he is best known for his panoramic work. He learned to use
the long, horizontal format by working with a "banquet" camera: one
large enough to hold a 12 x 20 inch plate for photographing groups at banquets
and other social occasions. Goldbeck used the panoramic camera for portraiture
as a means to support his business, but he was more interested in using it to photograph
landscapes.

In the last portrait made of Goldbeck,
Michael Marvins recorded the photographer putting the finishing touch on a
panorama, signing it at the end of the day. His portrait of Goldbeck is
perfectly set amidst the accoutrements of over seven decades. Goldbeck was 94
years old and still working when Marvins made this portrait; he died shortly
afterwards.

Marvins is a fourth-generation
professional photographer. His work has been exhibited internationally, including
in China, in 1994. He is a member of the Royal Photographic Society of Great
Britain and Professional Photographers of America and has operated the Kaye
Marvins Portrait Studio in Houston with his brother since 1967.