How did Edward Steichen’s style change after World War I?

Following his service as the head of aerial photography for the American Army in France during World War I, Edward Steichen’s photographic style underwent a significant transformation. His exposure to the rigorous technical demands of military aerial work caused him to reject the "vaporous symbolism" of his earlier Pictorialism style.1

After the war, Steichen replaced his previous impressionistic approach with a focus on optical clarity and objective description. He spent years experimenting with realistic effects of light, tone, and shadow, famously photographing a white cup and saucer against black velvet over a thousand times to master subtle gradations of gray.12

In a further departure from his earlier Photo-Secessionist attitudes, Steichen transitioned into a highly successful career in commercial photography. Beginning in 1923, he produced crisp, sharply focused images for Condé Nast publications such as Vogue and Vanity Fair, creating iconic portraits of celebrities and influential fashion and advertising work that defined the era.12