Ralph M. Hattersley collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: RITArc-0150

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Ralph M. Hattersley contact sheets, negatives, and other material consist mostly of contact sheets and photographic negatives for images captured by Hattersley. These images are of a variety of subjects from still-life projects to nude models. Hattersley was known for his mix of art with photography.

In addition, the collection includes a manuscript copy of Hattersley's "Consciousness and Photography: An Introduction to the Psychology of Photography." There is also correspondence between Hattersley and Richard D. Zakia, a former professor in the Rochester Institute of Technology's School of Photographic Arts and Sciences.

Dates

Creation: 1965-1986

Creator

Hattersley, Ralph (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

Ralph M. Hattersley, Jr. (1921-2000) was born on March 31, 1921 in Montana. He grew up in Conrad, a city in the northwest part of Montana. After graduating from high school, Hattersley spent a year studying art at the University of Washington. He left the school to attend Montana State College in 1941. Two years later, Hattersley joined the U.S. Navy. While in the navy, he attended photography school in Pensacola, FL and served on the Atlantic Fleet Camera Party, spending most of his time in Trinidad. He was discharged from the navy in 1946.

Upon returning to the U.S., Hattersley enrolled in the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute's (renamed the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1944) photography program. He graduated from the school in 1948 and began teaching in the Department of Photographic Technology. In 1949, he was offered a full-time faculty position, which he accepted. Having both an art and photography background, Hattersley taught photoillustration and art-based photography classes at the Institute for the next thirteen years.

After teaching at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Hattersley moved to New York City. While there, he taught at various institutions including Columbia University, Pratt Institute, and the School of Visual Arts. He served as a contributing editor to Popular Photography starting in 1957. Hattersley died on February 5, 2000.

Selected Works

1971: Discover Your Self Through Photography
1975: Beginner's Guide to Photography
1976: Beginner's Guide to Darkroom Techniques
1977: Photographic Printing
1978: Beginner's Guide to Photographing People
1979: Beginner's Guide to Color Photography
1979: Photographic Lighting
1981: Beginning Photography
1982: Beginner's Guide to Color Printing

Extent

6.88 Linear Feet (8 documents boxes, 3 lid boxes)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

Collection of materials related to Ralph M. Hattersley, a former professor of photography at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). The collection consists primarily of contact sheets and negatives, but also includes some pieces of correspondence.

Arrangement

The contact sheets and negatives are arranged by subject.

Physical Location

C.S. South, East wall, Shelves 47-48

Other Finding Aids

In addition to this finding aid, an inventory is available below. For more information, please contact the RIT Archive Collections.

Ralph M. Hattersley contact sheets, negatives, and other material

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Most of the collection was a gift from Richard D. Zakia, donated in June 1995. Zakia was a professor in the Rochester Institute of Technology's School of Photographic Arts and Sciences.