Edward Steichen

Edward Steichen: The Visionary Who Transformed Photography

Introduction

Edward Steichen (1879–1973) was a pioneering photographer, painter, and curator whose work spanned fine art, fashion, war, and documentary photography. Born in Luxembourg and raised in the United States, Steichen began his career as a painter before turning to photography, where he became a central figure in the Pictorialist movement and later a modernist innovator. His influence extended beyond his own images—he was a co-founder of the Photo-Secession, director of photography at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and creator of the iconic The Family of Man exhibition. Steichen’s ability to blend artistry with technical mastery made him one of the most versatile and impactful photographers of the 20th century.

Camera Gear Used by Edward Steichen

Cameras

Kodak "Detective" Box Camera – Steichen’s first camera, purchased secondhand in 1895, which he used to explore the basics of photography.

Kodak Detective Box

Graflex Speed Graphic – Employed during his commercial and fashion photography years, known for its sharpness and reliability.

Graflex Speed Graphic

Large-format view cameras – Used for his early Pictorialist work, allowing for detailed, high-quality prints.
Aerial cameras (20 cm) – Utilized during World War I for reconnaissance photography, showcasing his adaptability and technical skill.

Lenses & Techniques

Soft-focus lenses – Essential for his Pictorialist phase, creating a painterly, atmospheric effect.
Artificial lighting – Adopted during his time at Condé Nast, using high contrast and geometric backgrounds for a modernist aesthetic.

Film & Printing

Platinum and ferroprussiate prints – Used for his early, moody works like The Pond—Moonlight (1904), known for their tonal richness and longevity.
Autochrome – Steichen was an early adopter of this color process, introduced by the Lumière brothers in 1907, which allowed him to experiment with color photography.
Gum bichromate and cyanotype – Employed for hand-colored and experimental prints, adding artistic depth to his images.

Technique & Style

Steichen’s style evolved dramatically over his career. He began with the soft-focus, painterly Pictorialist approach, emphasizing mood and atmosphere. By the 1920s and 1930s, he transitioned to sharp, high-contrast modernism, influenced by his work in fashion and advertising. His use of artificial lighting, bold compositions, and geometric backgrounds became hallmarks of his commercial and portrait photography. Steichen’s ability to capture the essence of his subjects—whether celebrities, soldiers, or everyday people—set him apart as a master of both art and technique.

How to Imitate His Style in Post Production

You can use Pixlr, a really powerful and cost-effective software, to emulate Steichen’s signature look. Pixlr offers advanced editing tools, an intuitive interface, and cloud-based accessibility, making it ideal for both beginners and professionals. To recreate Steichen’s style:

For Pictorialist effects, start with a soft-focus filter and reduce clarity slightly to mimic the dreamy, painterly quality of his early work.
Adjust the tonal curve to enhance contrast in the midtones, replicating the depth of his platinum prints.
Use the color grading tool to add a cool or warm tint, depending on the mood—cool for his moody Pictorialist images, warm for his modernist portraits.
For modernist portraits, increase sharpness and contrast, and use the dodge and burn tools to sculpt light and shadow dramatically.
Add a subtle grain to replicate the texture of early 20th-century photographic prints.

How to Shoot Like Edward Steichen

Experiment with soft focus – Use a soft-focus lens or filter to achieve the Pictorialist aesthetic in landscapes or portraits.
Master artificial lighting – Steichen’s modernist portraits often used strong, directional light to create drama and depth.
Focus on composition – Use geometric backgrounds and bold framing to draw attention to your subject, as Steichen did in his fashion and celebrity portraits.
Embrace both color and black-and-white – Steichen was a pioneer in both, so don’t limit yourself to one medium.
Tell a story – Whether documenting war or capturing a portrait, Steichen’s images always conveyed narrative and emotion.

Legacy

Edward Steichen’s impact on photography is immeasurable. As a photographer, he bridged the gap between art and commerce, elevating photography to new heights of respect and popularity. His curatorial work, particularly The Family of Man exhibition at MoMA, remains one of the most visited and influential photography shows in history, seen by millions worldwide. Steichen’s innovations in lighting, composition, and printing techniques continue to inspire photographers and artists across disciplines.

Books Featuring Edward Steichen’s Work

Steichen’s Legacy: Photographs, 1895–1973 – A comprehensive retrospective of his life’s work, featuring iconic images from every phase of his career.

See it on Amazon

The Family of Man – The catalog of his groundbreaking 1955 MoMA exhibition, celebrating the universality of human experience.

see it on Amazon

Edward Steichen: Lives in Photography – Explores his evolution from Pictorialism to modernism, with essays by leading scholars.
Steichen the Photographer – A detailed look at his technical and artistic contributions, published by MoMA.
In High Fashion: Edward Steichen’s Celebrity Portraits – Focuses on his glamorous, influential work for Vogue and Vanity Fair.