  Production of a GeV photon beam by laser backward-Compton scattering has been
playing an important role as a tool for nuclear and particle physics
experiments. Its production techniques are now established at electron storage
rings, which are increasing worldwide. A typical photon intensity has reached
$\sim$ 10 $^6$ sec$^{-1}$. In the present article, the LEPS beamline facility
at SPring-8 is mainly described with an overview of experimental applications,
for the purpose to summarize the GeV photon beam production. Finally, possible
future upgrades are discussed with new developments of laser injection.
