1941: Leroy Sagard Peterson
born, January 1, Chicago Ill.
1946: Moved to Los Angeles, California
1949: Moved to Dallas, Texas.
1953: Took first photographs with small sized view camera of model airplanes
he and his friends built.
1955: Moved to San Diego and began snorkeling in the ocean.
1958: Made his first underwater camera housing and began his adventure in
underwater photography. Graduated from high school.
1960: Purchased a Hans Hass RollieMarine camera housing for his Rollieflex
camera. Began surf photography. Shared a darkroom with Ron Church.
1962: First published in Surfing, The first magazine dedicated to surfing.
Co-founder of San Diego Underwater Photographic Society. First extensive traveler
as an underwater photographer with Scripps Inst. of Oceanography and U.S.
Fish and Wild Life. Director of photography of thirty minute film for Time-Life
Broadcast.
1963: First recognized for his underwater photographic excellence by the San
Diego Underwater Photographic Society for black and white and color images.
1964: Gold medal award for composition and design by Academy of Underwater
Photography, Santa Monica, CA. Joined U.S. Air Force and entered school for
aerial photography.
1966: Selected for exhibition at the San Diego Film Festival. Best of Show.
1967: International Underwater Photo Society Court of Honor Award for black
and white image. First ever given for a black and white print. Stationed at
Edwards AFB. Sent to Vietnam.
1967: Gold Star award, MONDO SOMMERSO, Rome, Italy. Black and White prints
of underwater image.
1968: Silver Star Award, MONDO SOMMERSO, Rome, Italy.
1969: Published in OPUS VII with black and white graphics award.
1971: Salon Showing Federacao Portuguesa de Actividades Submarinas, Lisbon,
Portugal. Built his first underwater photographic strobe system. Lost almost
all-previous negatives in San Fernando earthquake disaster.
1975: One man show, Stanley J. Sadler Gallery, Shreveport, LA. Discovers a
kindred relationship and influence in Bret Weston's book, "Voyage of
the Eye".
1976: Received a grant for photography and historical research for book on
History of San Diego.
1978: Oceans Magazine, selected showing. Self employed as a commercial advertising
photographer.
1979,1981,1982: Communication Arts selected for awards of excellence.
1981: Moved to Rancho Santa Fe, CA.
1983: Sold first portfolio and exhibition in Brockway Gallery, Cour d'Alene,
Idaho.
1985: Designed and developed the Peterson 6X6 Lens for critical wide field
viewing of film and ground glass focusing.
1988: Elected Chapter President, San Diego A.S.M.P. Met John Sexton and Paul
Johnson and began an exchange of technical and artistic information. Encouraged
by John to expand with works in the underwater black and white prints.
1989: Studio 8, first complete showing of only underwater black and white
in Kalispell, MT. Lee and Paul Johnson travel to Hawaii to meet with Cole
and Bret Weston.
1990: Developed the "San Diego Photo District". A building complex
with studios for photographers and artists and art directors in an effort
to centralize creative efforts and provide an environment for daily exchange
of ideas.
1991: Awarded contract to design a photographic book on "San Diego"
for First Publishers, Inc. Currently in forth edition.
1992: Contracted by Hasselblad, Inc. to design and construct a new series
of underwater camera housings named "Aquablad/38 and Aquablad/Pro.
Working on new book "Liquid Light", 40 years of black and white
underwater photographs. Published First CD-ROM book.
1995: Awarded the Artist of the Year by the Ocean's Foundation for contributions
to the world of marine photography.
1996: Photographed underwater volcano in Mexico, Isla Socorro
1997: Lectured for Mares Week, San Diego City Schools
1999: First Art show of underwater images in Hong Kong, Central, Wangchai,
American Club.
2002: Digital Underwater Photography Golden Award, Italy
2003: Gallery show at The Photographers Galley, Escondido, CA. Glenbrook Stories
a personal portfolio 50 prints, curated by Donna Cosintino.
2004: Underwater Black and White show, By The Sea, Oceanside Museum of Art,
curate by Michael C. Gross. 37 Images hung and underwater camera housings
developed and designed by Lee Peterson displayed. Images by Joel Meyerowitz
and The Museum of Photographic Arts co-shown.
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