The love for ships and water was probably taught to the Dordrecht painter François Carlebur by the marine painter J.C. Schotel. At the age of 16 he was apprenticed to this famous fellow townsman. During this period he started painting ship portraits on commission. Around 1850 his work became freer and more impressionistic. Carlebur was also fascinated by the new medium of photography. He went to Paris in 1848, where he was said to have been taught by the great Daguerre himself. He then worked for some time as a professional photographer until he finally picked up painting again.