THE latest exhibition of the Dunfermline Photographic Association at the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum in Moodie Street includes a selection of previously unseen black-and-white photographs by former association member Willie Clarke.

Willie was born in Stirling on 3rd February 1895 and is listed in the 1911 census as the eldest of Alfred Clarke’s seven children, living at that time in Elliot Crescent, Dunfermline. This portfolio by the accomplished photographer captures the essence of life in the Dunfermline area from the late 1930s to the 1970s.

He joined the Dunfermline Photographic Association as a member of the photographic section of the Naturalists’ Society when the two clubs were amalgamated after World War II.

Striking images on display include ‘Wash Day at Cowdenbeath’ circa 1938 and a car ferry approaching North Queensferry in the 1950s before the advent of the Forth Road Bridge.

The whole collection creates a fascinating social history record of Andrew Carnegie’s home town and the surrounding area for future generations. Providing a contemporary contrast to the exhibition are the first, second and third prize-winning portfolios in this year’s association competition for the annual Carnegie Trust awards – dramatic monochrome images by Colin Kilgour; stunning colour images by Eric Duncan; and Alan Clark, focusing on this year’s theme of Fife’s rivers.

The Willie Clarke Collection is currently held by the Dunfermline Photographic Association and the images are on temporary loan to the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum for the duration of the exhibition, which runs until 27th June. The four-star visitor attraction, to which admission is free, is open from 10am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 2-5pm on Sunday.