Northern Ireland

Camera club releases lockdown book of 'personal' experiences as members prepare to meet again

First lockdown: Matthew Dolan's surprised look on his face as his grandparents arrived with presents for his fourth Birthday party behind glass. Picture by CB camera club's Anne O'Kane
First lockdown: Matthew Dolan's surprised look on his face as his grandparents arrived with presents for his fourth Birthday party behind glass. Picture by CB camera club's Anne O'Kane First lockdown: Matthew Dolan's surprised look on his face as his grandparents arrived with presents for his fourth Birthday party behind glass. Picture by CB camera club's Anne O'Kane

A CAMERA club founded 65 years ago has released a book of photographs capturing lockdown as members prepare to meet up for the first time since last March.

Striking images taken in people's homes, back gardens and during their one-hour "highlight" of daily allotted exercise time chronicle the personal experiences of the north Belfast 'CB' club.

Close-up shots of small garden birds, the surprised face of a four-year-old seeing birthday presents from behind a window delivered by his grandparents and stunning landshape images of Belfast at night are among the hundreds included in the book.

The 'new normal' is also captured in brilliant shots of west Belfast black taxis resuming with masked passengers separated by plastic - and a powerful image of a healthcare worker dressed head to toe in protective gear.

CB camera club chair Anne O'Kane said they had gone through many "trials and troubles" over the past six decades but "nothing had changed they way we meet and share our love for photography" as much as the Covid-19 pandemic.

The New Normal: West Belfast Black Taxi. Picture by Thomas McMullan
The New Normal: West Belfast Black Taxi. Picture by Thomas McMullan The New Normal: West Belfast Black Taxi. Picture by Thomas McMullan

With their weekly meetings switching to online Zoom sessions, they adapted and decided to mark with year with a book that represented "something personal".

"We wanted to record what we have seen and what might have been forgotten and to have for ourselves and future generations a book of photographic memories to hold in our archives," Ms O'Kane added.

Face-to-face weekly meetings will resume this Thursday at 8pm in St Malachy's Old Boys premises on the Antrim road. All new members are welcome.

Club outing during lockdown
Club outing during lockdown Club outing during lockdown
The biggest challenge of all was only being able to see our five grandchildren by video call. Picture by John McCann
The biggest challenge of all was only being able to see our five grandchildren by video call. Picture by John McCann The biggest challenge of all was only being able to see our five grandchildren by video call. Picture by John McCann
CB Camera Club chair Anne O'Kane. Picture by Hugh Russell
CB Camera Club chair Anne O'Kane. Picture by Hugh Russell CB Camera Club chair Anne O'Kane. Picture by Hugh Russell
Lagan Walk. Picture by Malachy Connolly
Lagan Walk. Picture by Malachy Connolly Lagan Walk. Picture by Malachy Connolly
First cut back after lockdown. Picture by Stephen McWilliams
First cut back after lockdown. Picture by Stephen McWilliams First cut back after lockdown. Picture by Stephen McWilliams
A work colleague taken during the first surge as we work to get PPE out to health care workers. Picture by Gary Johnston
A work colleague taken during the first surge as we work to get PPE out to health care workers. Picture by Gary Johnston A work colleague taken during the first surge as we work to get PPE out to health care workers. Picture by Gary Johnston
Jaffe Fountain. Picture by Andrew Henry
Jaffe Fountain. Picture by Andrew Henry Jaffe Fountain. Picture by Andrew Henry