Hatfield Aerial Surveys/Archives
1150 Johnson Avenue
San Jose, CA 95129
(650) 941-9367 / (408) 446-3059
Background
Hatfield Aerial Surveys / Archives maintains one of the earliest aerial photograph archives of the
San Francisco Peninsula, dating from 1947 through 1979. The black and white photographs were flown
and produced by World War II era aerial photographer and photojournalist, Adrian Hatfield, a
communications major, Stanford University Class of 1938. The extent of the collection includes
sites from Marin County to the Monterey Peninsula, as well as inland sites. The Hatfield Archives
contain oblique and vertical aerial photographs noted for both required views and artistic composition,
capturing a moment of history in aerial design. Oblique photography is taken at approximately a 45°
angle to the scene horizon or ground, while vertical photography is taken at 90° or directly above the scene.
Hatfield was a pioneer in aerial photography using six different aerial cameras from the World
War II era, with a K2 yellow filter and aerial panchromatic film. Photographic enlargements of
his work are produced at 24” x 24” from the original 7” x 7” negatives or 20” x 28” from the
original 5” x 7” negatives.
The Fairchild F56 Aerial Cameras include a Ross Express wide-angle lens, a telephoto lens with
a 24” focal length, and a telephoto lens with a 20” focal length. The Keystone Aerial Cameras
include a standard lens, a telephoto lens with a 16” focal length, and a telephoto lens with
a 5x7 flat pack.
Many of the negatives and original photographs in the archives have never been circulated to date,
and new releases will become available over time. Adrian Hatfield worked from his homes in Menlo
Park and Los Altos Hills, California.
