Plate 51, from an untitled album of World War I photographs, May 15, 1918

Plate 51, from an untitled album of World War I photographs, May 15, 1918 (detail)

Gelatin silver print
Gift of William Kistler, 1977.727

While aerial photographs provided great detail, drawn interpretations facilitated analysis. To create such maps, the interpreter laid a sheet of semitransparent paper over a photograph chosen for its clarity and precise detail and traced over the relevant man-made and natural features of the landscape. The drawing and print were then rephotographed together, resulting in a map such as the one shown here. Steichen also collected examples of drawn maps and mosaics from his French and British counterparts, which he likely admired for their educational value as well as their visual interest.

Inscribed recto, in negative, along upper [perpendicular to page] edge, in white: “Sq. 1. B24G [illegible] 900 M [“M” in superscript/underlined] . 15.5.18_ 52 [illegible]”; inscribed recto, on album page, lower left, in black/brown ink: “Detailed interpretation of proceeding picture”; printed recto, on album page, lower right, in black ink: “Photographic Section. / Air Service. American Expeditionary Forces.”; inscribed recto, on album page, lower right, in blue ink: “51”; unmarked verso