The Darian Smith collection features extensive aerial photography of Adelaide and regional South Australia from the 1920s until the early 1980s when Smith retired.

The acquired photos feature pictures that highlight the development of Adelaide’s city centre, the evolution of its suburbs and insights into local culture.

Due to Darian Smith’s commercial work, photos also feature well-known brands like Farmers Union, Seppeltsfield, Golden North, and General Motors Holden in their infancy.

The library currently holds around 2000 images by Darian Smith, with the latest acquisition of more than 100,000 images increasing its total pictorial collection by around 10 per cent.

State Library Director Geoff Strempel said Darian Smith’s photography is synonymous with South Australia.

“Our Archival and Preservation teams have started to uncover a series of never-before-seen high-quality images and negatives which tell the stories of key events, people and places which have helped shape our history,” Strempel said.

“These images which add to our vast pictorial collection will appeal to a broad section of the South Australian community – from historians and researchers to community members interested in our history, as they capture the social, cultural and economic fabric of our state over six decades.”

Darian Smith’s daughter, Pamela Savage, 91, was pleased her father’s images will be available for the public to view once processed by the State Library.

“My father was a pioneer in aerial photography and to see his collection be made available for the public to view the changing landscape of South Australia through his eyes is something truly amazing,” Savage said.

Adelaide-born, Darian Smith trained in photography in London, with his First World War service with the AIF taking him overseas. He reportedly took his first aerial photographs while flying with renowned aviator Sir Ross Smith. He established his commercial photography business in Adelaide in the 1920s.

View some of Douglas Darian Smith’s images below:

Aerial view of General Motors-Holden factory at Birkenhead, looking south-west across Port River, c.1930s. Picture: State Library of South Australia/ Douglas Darian Smith

Aerial view of cricket at Adelaide Oval during the 1933 ‘Bodyline’ Test. Picture: State Library of South Australia/ Douglas Darian Smith

Aerial view of Henley Beach, c. 1930s. Picture: State Library of South Australia/ Douglas Darian Smith

Crowd outside the Regent Theatre, Rundle Street, c. 1935-1936. Picture: State Library of South Australia/ Douglas Darian Smith

Farmers Union produce, c. 1930s. Picture: State Library of South Australia/ Douglas Darian Smith

Crowd outside the Mayfair Theatre, corner of Rundle Street and James Place, c. 1935. Picture State Library of South Australia/ Douglas Darian Smith

Aerial view looking south-east across Adelaide CBD, 1928. Picture: State Library of South Australia/ Douglas Darian Smith

Aerial view looking east along North Terrace, 1928. Picture: State Library of South Australia/ Douglas Darian Smith