Question

Because cameras weren't used until 1800s, how can this photo be Abraham Venable II?

Comments

Good question Lee,

With a little searching I found that many images similar to that one are photos of portraits done in another medium such as oil paints.

Answer 1

The answer above is probably the right one

Answer 2

I'm no expert, but the man looks more like a Civil War era man than one who lived prior to the American Revolution. His uniform and short hair style do not look pre-revolution to me. But that's just my pre coffee early morning opinion.