At the age of 27 , Smillie started for the Smithsonian as a staff photographer using different photographic techniques to document the Smithsonian 's daily operation , its exhibitions and people . He gained field experience as an expedition photographer for the United States Fish Commission . He also photographed the Solar eclipse of May 28 , 1900 . Additionally , upon the creation of the formal Section of Photography at the Smithsonian in 1896 , Smillie was appointed a '' Smithsonian Custodian '' in charge of the growing photographic collection ; he would hold both positions until his death in 1917
Solar eclipse of May 28 , 1900
Solar eclipse of May 28, 1900
Thomas Smillie