This series contains approximately 4,000 photographs and photograph negative albums taken primarily by S.W. McCallie and R.W. Smith, Georgia State Geologists, and other staff members of the Department of Mines, Mining and Geology apparently in connection with official field trips. The subjects of these photographs vary widely, perhaps more so than some might expect. Although a majority pertains to geological sites and some are even grouped by subjects such as gold, kaolin, etc., others show old bridges, roads, industrial sites, water wheels, iron works, gold mines, etc. Consequently, this collection documents rather completely the early industrial development of Georgia. These photographs moreover depict the variety of natural beauty of the State. Photographs from this collection were used in the Georgia Geologic Survey Bulletins, published by the Department of Mines, Mining and Geology. Additionally, Outdoors in Georgia, the official magazine of the Department of Natural Resources, very often utilized this collection as a source of illustrations showing the natural environment. A small portion of the collection depicts scenes in other southern states.

For other photographs taken by the Department of Natural Staff, please see RGSGSERIES 50-2-20, Photographs of the Georgia Geological Survey, 1912.