Alfred Chopin

Nothing is known of Alfred Chopin's early life, but on 4 December 1865 both he and his brother William were convicted in the Manchester courts and sentenced to be transported.

The two brothers were transported to Western Australia on board Norwood, which arrived at Fremantle on 13 July 1867.

When his brother obtained his ticket of leave, Alfred employed William in his shop for a short time.

The governor commissioned him to take some photographs "as a token of official remorse" for his wrongful conviction and imprisonment,[3] and thereafter Chopin advertised himself as "by appointment to His Excellency".

During the 1870s the photography market became very competitive, and Chopin began to tour country districts in search of custom.