The Central Photographic Association, Northern Ireland's oldest camera club, has published a photobook of 120 prints to mark its 120th anniversary. The collection, launched at Belfast Central Library, features work from current and former members of the south Belfast club.

Club president Vittorio Silvestri, a member for four decades, said print submissions in competitions have fallen as digital entries rise. He expressed concern that the move away from physical prints represents a loss of historical record.

Silvestri noted that smartphone cameras, while improving, do not produce images that match the quality of conventional cameras when printed at scale. Despite the accessibility of phone photography, membership has dropped from over 70 to around 30, with few young people joining.

The photobook includes two images from each contributing photographer, along with a written history of each picture. Members have long supplied print photographs to the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland for archival preservation.

Robert Sergeant, who joined the club about a decade ago and previously served as chairman, has several photos in the book. He said physical prints remain easier to share with visitors than images stored on a phone.

Both Silvestri and Sergeant encouraged young people interested in photography to join the club, highlighting the mentoring and training available. An exhibition of members' work is on display at Belfast Central Library until later this month.