Preserving Print Photography in the Digital Age
Vittorio Silvestri, president of the Central Photographic Association (CPA) camera club, has compiled a photobook featuring print images from both past and present members of the club. In an era dominated by smartphone photography, the CPA, Northern Ireland's oldest camera club, is dedicated to sustaining the tradition of print photography.
Based in south Belfast, the CPA was established in 1906 and is commemorating its 120th anniversary this year. Silvestri, who has been a member for four decades, has observed a decline in membership from over 70 individuals to approximately 30.
"The numbers are dwindling,"
he said, noting the limited involvement of younger people in the club.
While advancements in smartphone camera technology have made photography more accessible to younger generations, Silvestri notes that this has not translated into increased club membership.
"However, we're not really seeing them come into the club because of that,"
he added.
'We are losing history'
Silvestri emphasized the difference between smartphone images and traditional expert prints, highlighting that phone images generally lack the quality and technology necessary for high-quality printing.
"That's where the phone images would tend to fall over a conventional camera. Phone images don't have the same quality, the same technology to be able to print well,"
He also discussed trends in photography competitions, noting a decrease in print submissions alongside an increase in digital entries.
"What we are seeing is that print submission has gone down and digital submission has gone up and, you know, we're happy enough with that. But I think we're losing a bit of history because we're not seeing the prints."
To preserve this print history and celebrate the club's anniversary, Silvestri curated a photobook with contributions from both current and former members.
The photobook includes images such as:
- 'Birthplace of Giants' by Norman Harbinson, taken in 1969
- Church at Saas, Switzerland by Ladislav Moucka, taken in 1962
- Classiebawn Castle by Marlene Hazlehurst, taken in 2023
- Deers in the Mist by Robert Sergeant, taken in 2015
- The Cottage by Leigh Baber, taken in 2026
- Light Through the Dark, Tollymore by Vittorio Silvestri, taken in 1992
- The Old Cottage by Stephen Boyd, taken in 2023
- The Secret Cave by Brian Maguire, taken in 2023
Recording History Through Images
Over the years, CPA members, including Silvestri, have contributed print photographs to the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI). PRONI's mission is to identify and preserve records of historical, social, and cultural importance, ensuring that these photographic records and their histories are maintained for future generations.
"I do think it's important that images are printed for a record purpose,"
Silvestri stated, explaining that this conviction motivated him to publish the photobook.
To mark the club's 120th anniversary, Silvestri undertook the project of printing 120 photographs for the book, aiming for two images from each member. Since the club currently has fewer than 60 members, he reached out to former members to contribute as well.
Contributors also provided written histories of their photographs to accompany the images in the book.
'Somebody Will Mentor You'
Robert Sergeant, who joined the CPA about ten years ago and served as chairman for two years, has his photographs featured in the book.
"It's nice to see that printed material,"
he remarked.
"It is something you can throw on the coffee table, and if people come in to the house, it's much easier letting them see something physical than having to drag out a phone and saying, look at this."
Both Silvestri and Sergeant encourage young photography enthusiasts to join the club.
"There is no better place to learn how to use a camera than a camera club,"
Silvestri said.
"When you're in a club … there'll be somebody that will mentor you, that will buddy you and will take you along your journey using your camera and I think that's really important."
Sergeant highlighted the club's emphasis on printed material, contrasting it with the tendency of smartphone users to forgo hard copies.
"The thing about camera clubs is we still have a strong reliance on the printed material, in that you tend to find that people who have phones and use their phones only for photography don't tend to get that hard copy,"
he said.
"There is always something very nice about seeing your own images in large scale."
The photobook was launched at Belfast Central Library, where an exhibition showcasing the work of club members is on display until later this month.
