EXTRAORDINARY images captured by amateur photographers are on display to celebrate the 130th anniversary of Greenock Camera Club.

Seventy striking photographic prints are currently on show at the Beacon Arts Centre to mark the milestone.

Heather Sinclair, who has been a member of the club for over 20 years, says the exhibition is a great way to celebrate the rich history of the club.

She said: "I love the camaraderie of the club, we all like to help each other.

"If you have a problem someone will be there to help you fix it.

"The exhibition is nice because we have work on display from some of our new members."

Greenock Camera Club was formed in 1888 from a branch of the local Philosophical Society and the club initially met once a month in the Watt Museum's committee room.

As it grew in size it relocated to the school house of the old Kilblain Academy.

Half of the upper floor of the academy was leased to Greenock Camera Club for 50 years, with space for a committee room, dark room and print room.

Even through the difficult time of the 1920s, where club membership declined to 30, the club continued to learn about such topics as the new ‘flash tubes’ which replaced the previously used magnesium powder which could be unpredictable and highly explosive.

The early use of colour was also demonstrated – though the ‘purists’ never thought it would catch on.

In the early 1930s, club outings were extremely popular and included trips to Finlaystone House, Duchal Estate and Formakin House at Langbank.

These trips were undertaken by bus, train and also by hiking, which was quite an achievement considering the size and weight of cameras, tripods and other photographic equipment of that era.

Destinations further afield included Edinburgh, Kilcreggan, Rosneath, Glen Mason, Lock Eck and Loch Lomond.

In 1945, when club membership was down to less than 20 and no premises were available, the club continued to meet in the homes of its members, at James Watt College or the boardroom of the old Greenock Library.

This was until a group of far sighted people collaborated to buy what was then the old Greenock West End Baths.

These premises in Campbell Street were subsequently converted to become the Greenock Arts Guild.

This new venue catered for the sponsorship of drama, theatre, dance, music and other artistic pursuits for the people of the area.

As one of the original guarantors, Greenock Camera Club met there every Thursday night from 1946 from October to May, through to its closure in December 2012.

Since early 2013 the club has gathered in a number of different locations locally and currently meets in the clubhouse of Greenock Golf Club on Forsyth Street, Greenock.

Campbell Skinner, current president, hopes that the free exhibition - which runs until September 15 - may entice people to join the club.

He said: "The idea of the exhibition is to encourage people of all abilities to become members."

The club's 2018-9 season starts on Thursday October 4 at 7.30pm in the clubhouse at Greenock Golf Club.

Everyone from beginners through to experienced photographers will be made most welcome.

The club is keen to thank exhibition sponsors Texas Instruments UK, Patten and Prentice Solicitors, Wilkinsons Highland Wear and Greenock Morton Football Club.