The Open Exhibition in Birmingham, organised by PRISM photography in collaboration with IgersBirminghamUK and Darkroom Birmingham, brought together a vibrant display of local talent at The Old Print Works in Balsall Heath. Centred on the theme of “Community“, the open exhibition showcased a diverse range of images, highlighting both the creativity and strong sense of connection within Birmingham’s photographic scene. The project is part funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Each photographer was allowed three submissions, with one image printed for display. All entries were also included in a rolling PowerPoint presentation, ensuring every photograph received visibility. Thirteen photographers, whose series particularly impressed the judges, had all three of their images printed and mounted on the surrounding whitewashed walls.
The first floor of The Old Print Works features a long room with seating along the sides and a spacious central area, making it ideal for both viewing and networking. Visitors could move easily around the exhibition, engaging with the work and with fellow photography enthusiasts.
The opening evening of the exhibition was a clear success, with over 75 photographers participating and more than 100 attendees. Francesco Falcini welcomed guests, followed by Hannah Greenwood speaking on behalf of the Old Printworks charity. Additional contributions came from Dan Burwood (Darkroom Birmingham) and Nadia Malik (speaking on behalf of IgersbirminghamUK), while Oksana Birchin from PRISM photography encouraged attendees to select their favourite photograph from the exhibition.
The exhibition highlighted the enthusiasm for photography in Birmingham and showcased the region’s vibrant creative community. While attending, I found it challenging to balance capturing images with simply enjoying the event, yet I was pleased to document several moments from the evening.
For those unable to attend the exhibition, the organisers’ Instagram channels feature a wealth of photographs and video highlights. Following PRISM Photography, Igers Birmingham UK, and Darkroom Birmingham provides a broader view of the exhibition.
Events such as this demonstrate the strength and inclusivity of Birmingham’s photography scene. Exhibitions that combine printed work, digital displays, and opportunities for networking reinforce the city’s position as a hub for both emerging and established photographers. I look forward to attending future exhibitions and continuing to share my observations and images.
The following YouTube video shows all the submissions from the 75 photographers who submitted pictures.
A short video of the opening night of the exhibition is shown below.
My image that was displayed was from Birmingham Pride in 2024. If you want to know more about where my image originated from then please read the following blog
Overall, the Photography and Video Show 2026 at the NEC Birmingham was an enjoyable experience. With so much to see and explore, the day passed quickly. I may differ from many delegates, as I was not there to purchase equipment or products on the spot. I consider myself a reflective photographer and, for the time being, I am content with my current equipment. My main interest lies in how to present my work through photobooks and in exploring accessories that might support my photography.
A key feature of the show is the programme of talks, which I find can be somewhat variable. The open theatre sessions are often difficult to follow due to the noise from surrounding activities in the hall. In addition, space is limited for the more popular speakers. I particularly liked the Canon speaker setup, which felt more intimate and made it easier to hear the presenters. I found the talks given at the Amateur Photographer magazine festival of photography held in Greenwich earlier this year to be much more informative. Check out my blog on this event.
One talk I was especially keen to attend was by Helen Bartlett on family photography. Her work is highly distinctive, with a strong preference for black and white processing. She also shared valuable insights on how to approach younger members of the family. I came away with several practical ideas and felt inspired to try them out with my grandchildren. I attended other sessions as well, including those on double exposure and Photoshop techniques. Whilst these were informative, the background noise made them challenging to follow at times. This is one area where the photography and video show 2026 disappoints.
The show is also excellent for networking and meeting people. The Creator Playground (CreatorCon) was particularly enjoyable. One of my highlights was dressing up as a spaceman, and fortunately a local photographer, Jack Babbington, was on hand to take my photograph. The area was creatively set up with a variety of backgrounds, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in scenes ranging from snowy landscapes to the casinos of Las Vegas.
The models on the stands attracted considerable attention from visiting photographers. I have learned to be cautious about joining these crowded groups, where many are competing for the same shot. On this occasion, I chose to keep a respectful distance and simply observe the atmosphere.
I also enjoyed the virtual reality experience of deep-sea diving over coral shelves in the Seychelles. This carried an important environmental message, illustrating the contrast between healthy, dying, and regenerated coral ecosystems. However, the picture of people with their headsets on does look very dystopian.
Other favourites included the Disabled Photographers’ Society stand, where there is always interest in vintage cameras and accessories. I also enjoy trying the long lenses displayed on podiums, which allow you to appreciate the remarkable reach of such equipment. All the major manufacturers had impressive cameras and lenses on display.
One unexpected highlight of the photography and video show was the lucky dip at the SanDisk stand. After queuing to take part, I won an SD card holder. It was not something I had previously considered essential, but since the show it has proved to be a very useful accessory. Who would have thought?
I look forward to the next Photography and Video Show in London in 2027.
How has the Photography and Video Show changed over the years? Read my account of the show held in Birmingham in 2021.
Sigrid played at the O2 Academy in Birmingham in March 2025. I went to her concert courtesy of tickets of my son-in-law. Small concert venues to me are the best places for live music. In contrast, I have never enjoyed music festivals preferring the intimate dark surroundings of a venue such as the O2 academy.
Prior to the concert we had drinks at the Craven Arms which is close by. Highly recommended but it did mean we missed the support act. When we arrived at the venue there was ample opportunity to find a good space to watch the show. As it happens, a few people taller than me were blocking the view. Despite this I was able to get a good view of Sigrid during the concert.
Taking pictures of concerts has changed for me over the years and I have used various compacts. See my write up on Steve Gunn back in 2019 at the Hare and Hounds where I was using a Sony RX100v5. This blog discusses the use of my iPhone17pro. A simple technique with the iPhone is to control the exposure using the inbuilt camera app. Reducing the exposure in this way helps to reduce the glare from the bright lights.
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I did take close pictures of Sigrid but most of the time I was in the main crowd enjoying her music. There are pictures of the crowd which show the audience participation led by the singer. Another tip with the iPhone is not to overuse the digital zoom as you will find your pictures are excessively noisy. Where possible I did not go over x2 zoom.
As to the concert, Sigrid is such an accomplished performer and has an exuberant personality. There is no fancy stage show as Sigrid prefers to showcase her excellent singing enhanced by her infectious personality. She played mostly from her new album “There’s always more that I can say” and favourite songs including “Strangers” were played much to the audience’s delight. The band were excellent including some excellent guitar solos. Sigrid’s set list shows the songs that were featured. Definitely an entertaining concert by an artist who is at the top of their game.
I have written up my concert review of Steve Gunn back in 2019 and maybe I should do a few more features in the future rather than just the odd picture on my socials timeline.
Photographs and reflections taken during a rainy evening walk around the University of Birmingham following a talk on therapeutic photography Find out more about Neil Gibson on his social media.
The University of Birmingham campus is very beautiful at night. I enjoy wandering around with my camera, photographing the buildings when the lights are on. The bright lights from the buildings and the rain-swept pavements create wonderful reflections. I realise that this may not be the best environmental practice, but the campus does look splendid illuminated after dark.
Earlier in the evening I had attended a talk on therapeutic photography by Neil Gibson, which inspired me to take more pictures of the campus at night.
The rain was lashing down and, at first, the idea of an evening stroll was not particularly appealing. However, when I saw Old Joe lit up in vibrant colours to celebrate 125 years, I was captivated and could not resist taking photographs. There were puddles of water that offered several opportunities for reflections of the lights from the building.
My Fujifilm X100VI is ideal for wet nights, as I have weather-proofed the camera. The iPhone 17 Pro is always with me and is also an excellent camera for capturing wet-weather reflections.
As the talk began at the Gisbert Kapp Building, the North Gate was an ideal starting point. There are some wonderfully cinematic night views here featuring Old Joe. It is difficult not to become distracted by the envelope of vibrant colours surrounding the clock tower.
The newer buildings on the right were a hive of student activity. Both the Library and the Teaching and Learning Building were brightly lit, and I stayed nearby for a while to capture students moving in and out.
The trees in front of the Muirhead Tower looked particularly striking and slightly eerie in the rain.
Everyone takes the classic views of the clock tower with strong leading lines, and I thought, why not? I headed to the usual Instagram-friendly spots around the Aston Webb Building to capture those iconic perspectives.
After taking a few close-up shots of Old Joe, I wandered back towards the Muirhead Tower and along the walkways to the North Gate. It was a very wet night, so unfortunately there were not many people around. Once again there were several reflections creating photographic opportunities.
I like to catch the occasional silhouette in the glare of the lights, but most people were sensibly staying inside the buildings. After one last look around the campus, I made a welcome retreat to the shelter of my car.
This is the second in an occasional series on the University of Birmingham at night. Please read my first account of night photography around Birmingham campus which is focussed mainly around the railway station.
Stannels Bridge is part of the Stratford Greenway, located just outside Stratford-upon-Avon. The disused railway track is now a haven for cyclists and walkers. A landmark structure near the start of the greenway is an old railway bridge. It was built in the early 1900s and formed part of the Great Western Railway. The steel girder structure allowed the railway line to cross the River Avon.
Now used for recreational purposes, the rather grand structure shows signs of neglect, with rusting and peeling paint. The bridge has been well documented from a historical point of view. Many photographers have become fascinated by it, as this website demonstrates, with photographs dating back to 2012.
I spent time focusing on the details of the rust and peeling paint on Stannels bridge, then on the repeating patterns of the ironwork, and finally on an overview of the structure. I have taken several other pictures, as shown.
I am adding a few of my own photographs to this interesting iron bridge.
Stannels Bridge is a distinctive structure found along the Stratford Greenway, the former Great Western Railway line that once connected Stratford-upon-Avon with the wider rail network. Accessing the Greenway by foot or bike allows you to take in the old railway line. Stannels bring is near to the start of your journey on the Greenway. Whilst you visit, you can add to the enjoyment of the day with two cafes offering refreshments. They are strategically situated along the Greenway and they are based in former passenger dining coaches.
This is an old account back in 2021 of my first visit cycling along the Stratford Greenway.
At long last, the Golden Lion is coming back to life. I first visited the building last year, before restoration began, when Irene from Birmingham Conservation Trust gave us a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the plans for this Grade II listed gem. Now, with work well underway, I had the chance to return to see the progress taking place.
The Golden Lion has quite a story. Built in the early 1600s, it originally stood in Deritend High Street and has lived many different lives over the centuries. In 1911 it was moved to Cannon Hill Park, where it later served as a cricket pavilion and refreshment room. For more than 20 years, however, it has stood empty until support from Historic England and local funders allowed Birmingham Conservation Trust and the City Council to begin the restoration.
This latest visit was something special. The hard hat tour was limited to just six people, making it a rare opportunity to see the restoration up close. Irene once again led the visit, starting with an update on progress so far before introducing us to Richard, the site manager from Reynolds Conservation. After the essential health and safety briefing, we were suited up in hard hats and high-vis and then it was time to explore.
Unlike my previous visit, when we viewed the interior, this time we walked around the outside via scaffolding. It gave a completely different perspective to the house. The focus of the work is currently on the timber frame i.e. the true skeleton of the building. The roof timbers are in surprisingly good condition, but the lower sections have needed careful repair. Everywhere you looked, numbered markings showed where attention was required, and skilled carpenters were meticulously blending new timber with old. The result is a fascinating mix of a centuries old building meeting modern craftsmanship.
The same careful approach is being taken with the brickwork. Damaged bricks are removed and replaced with historically appropriate materials, following Historic England guidelines. Listening to Irene and Richard discuss the restoration was a highlight. Their passion for getting every detail right was obvious. Even the replacement window glass has been specially researched to ensure it matches the original look and character of the Golden Lion.
From a photography perspective, it was a dream visit. The exposed timber frame was particularly striking. I loved the geometric angles, and the texture of the wood used, new and old. Standing there, you could almost feel the building poised between past and future, ready for its next chapter.
I felt incredibly lucky to be part of such a small tour, and I can’t wait to see the Golden Lion fully restored. It’s one of those projects that reminds you how much history still survives and in this case fortunate that the right people provide the chance for the building to shine again.
A major grant from Historic England has made the restoration of the Golden Lion possible, and without that support it’s unlikely the work would have started so quickly. If you’d like to learn more about the Golden Lion and its history, be sure to check out the links below.
Birmingham Light Festival is back for its second year, brightening up Valentine’s weekend. The nights are still dark; the weather has been wet for so long that a burst of colour and light is exactly what is required to lift the mood before spring finally arrives.
I signed up for a photo walk organised by IgersbirminghamUK as part of the Birmingham Light festival. Our mission was to cover as many installations as possible on foot. Birmingham is a big city, but the artworks are placed at key spots, each linked by a brisk 5 to 10 minute walk.
Firefly Field
We met at St Paul’s Church, where the lawn shimmered with tiny moving lights. Up close, they revealed themselves as hundreds of glowing points gently “dancing” in the dark. This ‘Firefly Field’ looked magical to the eye, but photographing the movement was a challenge. A tripod and long exposure did the trick, turning the flickers into sweeping trails of light.
Ideas Happen Here
Our next stop was Newhall Square hear to the canal. Here, a giant glowing lightbulb sat beside a reflection pool. The artwork was bold, playful, and perfect for photography. The reflections doubled the impact, offering endless composition options. I had seen this at last year’s Birmingham Light Festival, but it still felt fresh when viewed for a second time.
Victoria Square
Victoria Square was packed with activity. In nearby Chamberlain Square, a giant Valentine’s heart glowed for the selfie crowd. Meanwhile, Birmingham Town Hall was watched over by huge, illuminated eyes. These were quirky and slightly surreal surrounded by the columns which were lit in shifting colours.
In the square, a silly statues x silent disco was in full swing. Dozens of people danced freely in total silence, headphones glowing. Light projections covered the Council House, inflatable figures waved overhead, and the whole scene felt wonderfully absurd. Even the Floozie in the Jacuzzi looked extra glamorous for the Birmingham Light Festival.
The Heartbeat of Brindleyplace
After more walking, we reached Oozells Square, where glowing green boxes pulsed gently with real human heartbeats from across the city. Each box represented a person going about their day creating a strangely intimate and surprisingly moving concept. Capturing their reflections in nearby restaurant windows added another layer of storytelling.
Our Beating Heart
The walk between the artworks became part of the experience as we headed off towards the Mailbox. There were canal reflections, glowing restaurant lights, and even a rogue flamingo hat floating in the water. At the Mailbox, we found a giant illuminated heart installation. I preferred the Heart’s past location at Snow Hill where there is more space, but it still made an eye-catching stop for photography.
Roof of Stars
On Thorp Street outside Birmingham Hippodrome’s stage door, strings of star-like lights stretched overhead They are beautiful to see, but tricky to photograph. Thankfully, some shiny parked cars nearby provided perfect reflective surfaces.
Reunion
Back to our walk and the 1,000 trades square had arches of light symbolising connection between people. The colourful arches outside New Street station symbolised reunions and framed the streams of passing travellers. This was a dream place for street photography with light, movement, and real human moments all in one place.
My Heart Belongs in Birmingham
By now, my legs were protesting, but there was time for one final stop. Tucked into a tree near the Shakespeare pub were glowing hearts withthe “Instagram-ready” slogan, “My heart belongs in Birmingham. We joined the long line of photographers capturing the same shot but it was worth it.
Huge thanks to Nadia, Kasim, and Jack from IgersbirminghamUK for leading such an energetic tour of the Birmingham Light Festival. Covering that much ground and that many installations in one evening was seriously impressive.
FORGED
I returned the following night to catch a fiery animatronic installation featuring pounding industrial music (Insurgent), flame effects, and dramatic mechanical movement. It perfectly captured Birmingham’s industrial heritage brash and noisy, it was spectacular and impossible to ignore.This year’s festival clearly built on the success of the first. If this is the direction that the Birmingham Light Festival is heading, then it will be a highlight of Birmingham’s winter calendar for years to come.
You may wish to compare this year’s description of the Birmingham Light Festival with the one that took place in 2025 and here is my blog of the event.
Amateur Photographer magazine held its Festival of Photography at the University of Greenwich. Getting to the south bank area of London from Birmingham was a long journey, but I was pleasantly surprised by how quick and efficient London’s transport system was, with tubes and buses linking up seamlessly. I arrived an hour before the start, which gave me ample opportunity to wander around the beautiful buildings of the old Navy School.
I took several pictures as the early sun began to rise, and one was selected by BBC Weather. The conference itself was very good. During the morning session, I heard several speakers, including Ron Timehin and Amanda Akokhia, both of whom gave lively talks packed with photographic advice.
One session was a discussion forum on “A Career in News and Documentary Photography.” Peter Dench interviewed Ethan Parker and James Manning, two young photographers who have quickly become established in their field. James works for PA Media, while Ethan is a recent winner of the Amateur Photographer Emerging Photographer of the Year award. The discussion covered many issues in documentary photography, and all three panellists kept the conversation engaging and insightful. All the lectures I attended were excellent and provided valuable tips on improving photography.
At lunchtime, I visited the National Maritime Museum and then had time to walk up the hill to the Royal Observatory Greenwich. The view from the summit is amazing, and I found that my iPhone zoom captured a lovely compressed image of the old Navy School against the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf. This picture is at the start of my blog and below is the panoramic view of London.
That afternoon, I took part in a photowalk with Mr Whisper, which is the subject of another blog. On the way back home, I took a river bus operated by Uber and enjoyed spectacular views of Canary Wharf lit up by the setting sun.
Enjoy this then here is another London blog posts to read.
The day was black and white, and the Birmingham weather matched the mood. A dull sky hung overhead as mist rolled in, partially obscuring several buildings along the way.
Walking beside the Birmingham Canal Navigations, the mist created a stark, atmospheric view of the city. I found the conditions ideal for photography, with a strong black and white theme naturally emerging in my images.
I was using what I like to call my big camera, a Canon R6 Mark II. Paired with a fast zoom lens, it’s a setup I’m comfortable with, although it’s not something you can slip into a coat pocket like a compact camera. Because of that, I was careful not to keep the camera out from under my coat for long periods.
During those brief moments when I did take it out, I looked for both unusual and familiar views of the canals focussing on the black and white. The walk from Snow Hill to Gas Street Basin was an enjoyable one, and the photographs reflect that journey through Birmingham in misty, monochrome conditions.
If you enjoyed this read then please delve deeper into my blog with this entry into my blog. Written in 2019, the entry describes the 250th anniversary of the Birmingham Canal Network.