Alexander McKay: New Zealand’s first scientific photographer

Tuhinga 29: 35-49

ABSTRACT: Alexander McKay (1841–1917) explored many parts of New Zealand while working as a fossil collector and geologist for the New Zealand government between 1873 and 1902. He was also a keen amateur photographer, taking photographs of geological features and documenting the impact of the 1888 and 1901 Canterbury earthquakes. He invented a telephoto lens about 1890, and later developed techniques for photographing fossils and microscopic thin sections of rocks. All of McKay’s varied photography was aimed at illustrating the scientific work he was undertaking, and as such he can be designated New Zealand’s earliest scientific photographer.

KEYWORDS: Alexander McKay, 1888 North Canterbury earthquake, 1901 Cheviot earthquake, scientific photography, photomicrographs, Awatere Valley, telephoto lens, historic photographs.