In 2026 the Central Photographic Association celebrated its 120th Anniversary.
To mark this occasion the committee agreed to display a 120th Exhibition in the
Belfast Central Library and to produce a book of 120 images from 60 members, both past and present.
I started the process by gathering images and other material for the book.
This proved to be more difficult than I first imagined, but I eventually got there and the book has now gone to print.
This is substantial book, it will have a softback, be 25x25cm square with 120 single page images and 50 smaller historical event and club trip photos.
The book has a three page Foreword and a table of Officers going back as far as records permitted.
Vittorio Silvestri
CPA President
Below is a sample of the Foreword and a few sample images along with image information when available:
The Central Photographic Association (CPA) traces its origins back to 1906, when it existed as a camera club associated with the Central Presbyterian Association. Evidence of this early connection can still be seen today in engravings on some of the Association’s Annual Exhibition trophies.
In its formative years, the Central Presbyterian Association in Belfast counted many enthusiastic
photographers among its members. During the early 1960s, the club formally adopted the name the Central Photographic Association (CPA), reflecting its evolving identity and growing independence.
Today, the CPA is the oldest camera club still in existence in Northern Ireland. Its history predates not only the founding of Northern Ireland itself, but also that of the Northern Ireland Photographic
Association (NIPA), the governing body for camera clubs in the region, which was established in 1967.
The Association’s core aim has remained constant throughout its long history: to promote
photography and to support anyone with an interest in the medium, regardless of experience or ability.
Over the years, the CPA has met in many venues. Its earliest premises were located in Donegall Place, before moving a year later to 12 May Street. The club subsequently relocated to the new Church House in the Assembly Buildings, and after the First World War to the War Memorial Building on
Howard Street. During the early years of The Troubles in the late 1960s and early 1970s, members met informally in their own homes to share their photographic work and experiences. By the mid-1970s, meetings had resumed once again in the Assembly Buildings, Fisherwick Place.
From 1984 to 1990, the Association met in the Ormeau Park Recreation Centre. In September 1990, due to work being carried out at Ormeau Park, the club moved to Avoniel Leisure Centre, returning to Ormeau Park in September 1992. A decade later, rising charges at Ormeau Park led to another
relocation, and at the start of the 2002 season the CPA moved to the Morton Community Centre.
Book Cover
