A commissioned and industrial photographer's flight of fancy in the 1930s - 1970s
Ruth Hallensleben (1898-1977) is a highly interesting photographer of the 20th century. She is Germany's best-known industrial photographer, active from the mid-1930s onwards. The Ruhr Museum is currently presenting an exhibition in which Hallensleben's entire oeuvre is examined from the perspective of contract photography.
Hallensleben, who only discovered photography at the age of 32, was an immensely successful professional photographer, rushing from commission to commission and working for various commercial companies, publishers, and photo agencies in addition to heavy industry. Independent, successful, business-minded, and almost perfect in the photographic craft. In 1936, she became a member of the Society of German Photographers, now the German Photographic Academy.
In the podcast with Corinna Weidner, Stefanie Grebe, Head of the Ruhr Museum's Photographic Collection, discusses Hallensleben's work, career, and personality in the context of National Socialism. The conversation also covers the staging of images, comparisons to Albert Renger-Patzsch, and the joy of successful conferences.
Until August 24, 2025, the Ruhr Museum in Essen is showing the exhibition "Bilder im Auftrag. Photographs by Ruth Hallensleben 1931-1973".
The Academy, its members and all DFA Digital Dialogues: https://dfa.photography/
The DFA on YouTube: youtube.com/@deutschefotografischeakademie
