Olaf Petersen

Olaf Petersen (1915–1994) was a New Zealand photographer who specialised in nature photography. The main subject of his photos are the islands of the Hauraki Gulf and the beaches of Auckland's west coast.

In 1953, Petersen became a professional photographer and captured the Queen's visit to Henderson for the Weekly News. He also continued to take photographs for the New Zealand Herald.

In 1972, Petersen won the New Zealand Photographic Society's Maadi Cup which is given to the 'best photograph of the year for his piece 'So Lonely'.

Petersen was a life member of the Auckland Photographic Society and a member of the University of Auckland Field Club. It was on these trips where Petersen took many of his nature photographs.

In 1982 a short film was made for television about Olaf's work called 'Olaf's Coast'. This was aired on Kaleidoscope in October 1982.

In Petersen's own words, photography was, 'painting with light' and 'being in the right place at the right time'.