Marcin SZ has been leading Birmingham photowalks since 2020. An accomplished photographer, he shares his work on Instagram under Birmingham_Photography, capturing the city during the golden and blue hours in vibrant colour and bold black and white.
Marcin our host for the Birmingham photowalk
As part of my New Year’s resolution to explore new photographic opportunities, I joined one of Marcin’s photowalks. We met outside the Library of Birmingham, where a small group of photographers gathered before heading out to explore the city.
Dancers gather outside the windows of the Library to practice their routines. This causes bemusement to people passing by.A street cleaner creates a striking silhouette in the light.The brand new Octagon building towers over the former four-star Copthorne Hotel now scheduled for demolition.
Despite the cold winter weather, Centenary Square was full of activity. The low afternoon sun reflected off the Library’s glass façade, creating long shadows and strong contrast—ideal conditions for street photography in Birmingham.
Whilst the walkways between buildings are wide, they are made to look narrow by the height of the buildings.Two figures move along the walkway between buildings.The Town Hall is partly revealed by the available light.Major Birmingham landmarks take their turn in catching the light.
Our Birmingham photowalk took us through Chamberlain Square and past the Town Hall, where Marcin encouraged us to look for architectural details and light patterns often overlooked. Hill Street, bathed in winter light, offered compositions reminiscent of New York. Along the way, spontaneous moments appeared, including a group of cyclists performing wheelies near Brunel Street.
Hill street has those New York vibes about it especially with the low level sun.This picture is to remind me that sometimes the best pictures arise when you least expect them.This cyclist was performing a wheelie on his bicycle as he ride down Brunel Street.
We continued towards the Mailbox and the Cube, where intense horizontal light produced striking graphic shadows. After photographing the frozen waters of Gas Street Basin, Marcin invited us to his studio on the 10th floor of Quayside Tower. From there, we enjoyed panoramic views across Birmingham as the setting sun filled the sky with warm tones and soft pink clouds.
Overlooking the towpath from the Cube bridge. Long shadows in the setting sun start to look atmospheric.The surface of the water in Gas Street Basin has frozen leaving consumer debris on the ice.Golden hour over the City generates vibrant colours.
Birmingham Photowalk reflections
I highly recommend joining such a Birminghamphotowalk with Marcin SZ. He is genuinely passionate about photography and has a natural ability to guide people towards compelling scenes. The atmosphere is relaxed, welcoming, and suitable for all experience levels. It was a memorable afternoon, made even better by beautiful winter light and inspiring company.
If you enjoyed this account of a Birmingham photowalk then here are some links to previous walks done in Manchester and London.
Photography inspiration can be hard to find, especially when it feels like you have already photographed everything around you. Many photographers reach a point where creativity feels stalled, making it difficult to see familiar places with fresh eyes.
Wondering what to photograph? Stuck with subject matter? Feel like you’ve photographed everything before and need some new inspiration? We’ve all been there, and trying to lift the gloom on our creative inspiration is never easy.
This looking up picture deep in the wood has been converted to black and white and then inverted.
Revisiting Familiar Places
My own personal solution is to revisit one of my favourite places and try to do something a little different, even if that means standing in the same spots or walking along familiar paths.
I have taken photographs before in this spot mainly in colour. A change to black and white is something different for me.
A Walk Through Hay Wood
This time, my choice was to visit a woodland, as the natural chaos of tree shapes always brings fresh insights and new perspectives. My go-to place is Hay Wood, near Solihull. Managed by Forestry England UK, Hay Wood is large enough to make you feel removed from civilisation, yet not so isolated that traces of human presence disappear entirely.
A close up view of the leaves on a beech tree.The fallen tree branches add an interesting disruption to the woodland scene.The different layers of the wood from the floor to the trees.
Woodland Photography as a Creative Tool
Here is a photo essay from my recent walk through the woods. In the captions, I include details of what I was trying to achieve or what caught my eye. Some images focus on the shapes of trees, while others highlight moments where human influence intrudes upon the natural beauty of the wood.
An environmental station stands out amongst the surrounding natural elementsA fallen tree makes an interesting ‘woodland den’ created by humans.Whilst an interesting human interaction, this wooden picnic table looks underused.Too much human intervention detracts and interferes with nature.
Feeling inspired after seeing this photographic essay? My advice is to go out and revisit your favourite photographic haunts and try something different as I have attempted to do here.
Here are more blog entries on Hay Wood for you to enjoy. The first happened during a sunrise three years ago and then there are more woodland visits to read about.
Every year, the Birmingham Christmas markets take over the city centre. Visitors come to enjoy festive food, warming drinks, and the lively atmosphere created by the stalls. While prices can be high, knowing what to expect makes the experience enjoyable, although deep pockets do help.
The classic decorations along Birmingham New Street.there are many stalls selling Christmas gifts.Buying that expensive food and drink. Prices on display.Walking along New Street.I captured the conductor on the tram. who seems to be singing a Black Sabbath song for Christmas.
Cathedral Square and Colmore Row
The Cathedral Market is my preferred part of the Birmingham Christmas markets. It is better organised than along New Street and uses the footpaths around St Philip’s Cathedral, which makes it easier to walk around. The food stalls here are linked to the Colmore Row business district, giving this area a calmer and more relaxed feel. This year, Asha’s has a stall in the square, and the food is excellent. Another popular stop is the pop-up pub Pigeon in the Park, which is always busy and adds to the festive spirit.
I visited Cathedral Square during the day and sampled some fine street food.
Lights, Rides, and Winter Attractions
As the nights grow darker, the Christmas lights across the city shine even brighter. They look especially impressive around Victoria Square and Chamberlain Square, where the decorations draw large crowds.
Victoria Square looking festive.Ho, Ho, Ho!Lots of Choice to be had.
Over in Centenary Square, the big wheel dominates the skyline. Nearby, the Magic Mouse rollercoaster is entertaining to watch, although riding it may not be for everyone. The illuminate ride makes a great subject for photographs. The ice-skating rink is also packed most evenings, proving how popular these winter attractions are.
The big wheel.Mesmorising colours on the Wild Mouse rollercoaster.
Why the Birmingham Christmas Markets Still Work
Every year, I take time to wander around the Birmingham Christmas markets and the city itself, and I never tire of it. Although I often hear critical comments about Christmas in Birmingham, the crowds tell a different story. People clearly enjoy the atmosphere and the chance to celebrate the season together.
Below are a few photos of the markets and decorations. They are very different from the lights of London and show that Birmingham does Christmas in its own distinctive way.
Waiting for the punters.
Links
More Christmas links with London. There is also a blog describing the Birmingham market in 2023.
There is one certainty in Birmingham: Digbeth always changes. For anyone interested in Digbeth photography, this makes the area endlessly fascinating. New buildings appear, artwork evolves, and the streets never look the same from one visit to the next.
New Buildings Transforming Digbeth
One of the most noticeable recent developments is the new block of flats being built opposite the Custard Factory. The building stands on the former site of the old Peugeot Garage and Irish Centre. From a photography point of view, this construction is already changing sightlines and creating new contrasts between old and new Digbeth. We wait and see if these contrasts are really beneficial to the area.
Cranes overlook Digbeth
As more people live closer to the city centre, Digbeth continues to evolve into a place where work, culture, and residential life sit side by side.
Digbeth adds extra colour to where we live. @MrPenfold
Street Art Through a Photographer’s Lens
For Digbeth photography, the street art is a major draw. New shops and restaurants continue to open, while the artwork on the walls constantly changes. Because there are only a limited number of spaces, older murals are often painted over to make way for new designs. Some murals stay the same.
Fresh graffiti now sits alongside long-standing pieces. In some areas, heavy tagging covers earlier murals in a more random style. Even so, bold colours and striking shapes continue to dominate, making Digbeth a living canvas for urban photography.
Love this artwork from @miscfitFigure in the Archway.Arch reflections (artists unknown)
Photographing a Changing District
This post is a roundup of some of the new scenes and artwork I’ve photographed recently. Wherever possible, I’ve credited the artists. If any credits are missing, please leave a comment and I’ll update the post.
The yellow door (artwork @phithblake and @Fum.ArmadaBike lineup (artist unknown)Blue mural on the walls of the Red Brick Market (artist unknown)
I’ll be back in the new year to focus once again on Digbeth photography during the blue hour, which is one of my favourite times to capture the light and shadows in this changing part of Birmingham. One thing remains true — Digbeth always changes.
Walking through London at Christmas is always a blend of wonder and chaos. Lights spill across every street, crowds move in every direction, and here and there you stumble upon small pockets of calm. I spent a couple of hours wandering with my camera, capturing the city’s festive energy.
Winnie the Pooh and Piglet complete finding the North Pole in Selfridges.
My companion for the evening was Peter Thompson, and we set off from Selfridges to explore the brightest spots. New Bond Street was dazzling with its high-end storefronts lit up with elaborate displays. The place was crowded, and the cars parked along the street looked like they were auditioning for a Monster Trucks spin-off. They were huge 4x4s in loud, flashy colours, with a generous scattering of BMWs and Mercedes squeezed in wherever they would fit. Amid all this noise, DPD vans were doing their rounds, delivering parcels to the shops. The upside? All those polished metal surfaces made for brilliant reflections of the lights around them.
The Christian Dior shop window.Reflections of lights from the cars.
Other iconic landmarks such as Fortnum & Masons and the Burlington Arcade did not disappoint although the latter was very crowded. Piccadilly Circus had its usual hypnotic mix of colour and motion. From there we wandered into Chinatown, where the crowds thickened and the restaurants buzzed with activity. Leicester Square had been transformed into an ice rink, cheekily named “William Skatespeare”,
Fortnum & Mason sported red lights and the year 2025. The December full moon shines above.The doorman looking very smart at the entrance to the Burlington arcade.The bright lights of Piccadilly Circus.Lots of lovely aromas of cooking in Chinatown.Skating in Leicester Square. “Skatespeare”The Angels of Regent Street.
Before we looped back to Regent Street, I walked along the central reservation toward Oxford Circus. Soon I found myself standing on the central reservation, tourists pressing in from all sides, traffic sliding by just inches away. I took the final shot of Oxford Circus with my X100VI, and its internal stabilisation proved impressive, letting me capture the night scene handheld. There’s something satisfying about the slice of nightlife frozen in that frame. Then it was time to mingle with the crowds and head home after an enjoyable evening.
Crowds entering into the Oxford Circus Tube station.
If you enjoyed this description of the lights then feel free to visit my blog on last year’s lights.
Why am I so fascinated with Spaghetti Junction? Perhaps it’s the way the urban landscape blends nature with man-made geometry, or the history embedded within the structure. In an alternative life, I imagine myself travelling the motorway system, passing along the M6 and then indicating to join the Aston Expressway into Birmingham. Yet during such journeys in the car, I rarely think about what lies beneath these roads.
The look of an unfinished cathedral within Salford Circus.Movement in the underpass.
Under the concrete pillars that support the motorway network, the space resembles an incomplete cathedral, a place to worship the industry of construction workers, accompanied by the hymns of thundering traffic overhead. Cars and lorries make their presence known through constant noise and vibration. In contrast, the quiet canal network predates the junction. Around the concrete pillars, flows the River Tame and the still waters of Salford Reservoir reflect the motorway traffic. A train line also cuts through the area, all converging at what we know as Spaghetti Junction, or more formally the Gravelly Hill Interchange. The regimented concrete pillars and the patterns created by the elevated roads provide endless photographic opportunities. Inspiration is everywhere.
Waiting for the World Cup draw. So that is where the channel changer is.Careful where you tred.Cycling along the arches.Watch out for the cyclists as they speed along the towpaths.
Back in July, I visited Spaghetti Junction with a group of photographers. One of the highlights of any trip beneath the M6 is the artwork of Bill Drummond. Formerly of the KLF and now a recognised artist, Drummond has been regularly posting his work on a particular wall near the heart of the junction. I was surprised to find the artwork wall completely white. In the photo I took, one of the few pedestrians we encountered beneath Spaghetti Junction walks past the empty space. Although I was disappointed not to capture any of Drummond’s artwork, I’m intrigued to see what reappears here in the coming weeks.
Surveying a white wall at the iconic graffiti site under the M6.
This Spaghetti visit started with a request from a fellow photographer Nicky who knew a photographer friend who had never been to the area before. I agreed to be involved in planning such a walk and enjoyed visiting the place again. John Waine was the visiting photographer and his work is outstanding. Follow the link to see more of his work. If anyone who reads this blog and wishes to visit what lies beneath the motorway then please contact me. Depending on timing and commitments, I will be happy to show them around.
Construction workers on a break.Abandoned trailer.Best seat in the Junction.This has to be posted as it is one of the classic views of the walk along the canal underneath the Junction.
Finally here is an account my last visit under the Interchange and the blog includes links of previous visits.
Balsall Heath is an absorbing place to photograph. As part of the Balsall Heath Observation Project, I have connected with many local groups. Several individuals have kindly taken the time to walk with me around the streets of Balsall Heath and share their memories—both past and present—of the area. During these photowalks, I have photographed the surroundings and recorded their stories. I have also spoken with many residents to learn about daily life, how the community works together, and the ways people support one another.
The mobile citizen Advice Logo
One of the charities that has welcomed me and offered an opportunity to see their work is the MECC on Court Road. The MECC charity supports the local community by offering advice and information on a wide range of topics, including employment opportunities, education, and training. The Trust also provides access to household support funds that help vulnerable Birmingham households with essential living costs. Their website offers further details, where you can learn more about the valuable contribution they make to the Balsall Heath community.
Discussing the merits of the MECC
One activity that particularly interested me was the MECC bus. This “energy” bus serves as a mobile base that provides advice and information to the local community. At the invitation of Tony Fox, a volunteer with the Trust, I went to see the bus for myself. The blue MECC bus was parked in Cannon Hill Park near the gates leading to Cannon Hill Road. There I met Tony and Bashir, who were running the information centre for the day. The weather was bright and sunny, and many people stopped to speak with them as they passed by. Several members of the public showed interest, and Tony and Bashir were more than happy to engage, explain their work, and share information leaflets.
Tony displays the MECC uniform.
I found that we had a great deal in common, and I really enjoyed my time learning about their work. My photographs show the bus along with Tony and Bashir. The MECC charity has many aims, and if you would like to learn more, please visit their website: https://www.mecctrust.co.uk.
Advice sheets.MECC-Zero
If you happen to see the MECC bus on your travels especially when it is in Canon Hill Park then please give Tony and Bashir a shout out. Their work is improving the wellbeing of the community.
The sun shines on the MECC bus.
Balsall Heath Observation Project
This blog is part of my documentary project taking place in Balsall Heath. The project is a continuation of similar work completed in Stirchley, where over several weeks in 2024 we interacted with members of the local community. The Stirchley Observation Project was very successful, and I subsequently enrolled with the same group of photographers for the Balsall Heath Observation Project. We meet at the Old Print Works on Saturdays for formal lectures and project feedback. Each of us is undertaking a different project around Balsall Heath, an area of Birmingham rich in community activity and spirit. The project is part of the PRISM photography network.
Baddesley Clinton staged the Twelve Days of Christmas with a difference. The story was told by twelve Snowmen who were placed in strategic positions around the National Trust property. I made the mistake of counting down the Twelve Days rather than starting at the first day and moving forward. I must remember this when I bring the grandchildren to visit!
A cheeky grin from one of the snowmen.On the third day of Christmas….I find myself at Baddesley Clinton.
I set myself a photographic challenge: to capture images of the Snowmen and tell the story in a slightly different way. The Snowmen were very cooperative, and I had no trouble persuading them to pose for the camera, although they did struggle when it came to turning around.
Someone is dancing on the Snowman.I love those legs they are eggcellent.
I wondered how the Snowmen would look against the beautiful gardens and the historic, grand moated house. To my pleasant surprise, the combination worked wonderfully, and the designs on the twelve Snowmen were beautifully painted. This artistic element was created by Wild on Art, who are always brilliant at imagining unique and engaging artwork. They have taken their Snowman to previous Christmas National Trust displays at Sheffield Park, and Knole Park.
Look out – the swans are behind you.Here’s looking at you.
The exhibition is well worth a visit and a delight for both young and old. Just remember to follow the route the right way round, anticlockwise, otherwise you’ll find yourself counting down to the first day of Christmas. Although, that’s not such a bad idea either!
I feel a little overdressed for the weather.
BTW not all the twelve snowmen are photographed so you will have to go and see them for yourself. The National Trust are excellent and creating magic at Christmas. Here is a blog about Baddesley Clinton and Packwood House when I visited the properties two years ago.
I was so excited to learn about the light trail taking place at Warwick Castle. Not only was I excited, but one of my daughters and her two daughters were also eager to see the lights. The main attraction for them was Stories with Santa, followed closely by ice skating. For me, it was the light trail around the grounds of the castle. On a cold night we set off to the Castle, the children talking non-stop during our journey there.
The excitement mounts as we approach the entrance.
We have visited the Castle many times and parked as usual at the Stratford Road car park. My granddaughters always love the shrieks of the peacocks who live on the grounds. Tonight the peacocks were in bed, but the lights lit up our short walk to the entrance. The Castle looked amazing, lit up in purple with yellow lights surrounding the walls. We could see the ice-skating rink where we were booked later in the evening. This first sight of the Castle really ramped up the excitement levels. We also met the elves, who were checking whether we had been good. Much to my granddaughters’ disbelief, my daughter was told she had been naughty!
Your first view of the floodlights on the Castle.A warm family greeting from the elves.
We had underestimated how much there is to do at the Castle. Although we were scheduled for ice skating and Stories with Santa, we also needed to allow time for the light trail and getting food. As always as a family, our planning was not perfect, but we had great fun trying to do everything.
The Castle looked amazing.
First, we did the light trail backwards! Early on we encountered a loud voice tempting us to “push the button, push the button.” When we did, it unleashed a sequence of events across the River Avon. A light-activated trebuchet fired, followed by a flame explosion not far from where we were standing. It was a loud bang which made us all jump. We marvelled at all the light displays but realised we had to hurry back to the ice-skating.
Push the button!The explosion is very loud.
–
The boat house looking colourful
At the ice-rink, I stood on the side to take pictures. We were treated to a spectacular display of ice-skating by a group of young people who gave a beautiful demonstration of the art of skating. Ice Angels UK have a number of British Champions in their group and showed the art of ice dance. Their illuminated cloaks at the end were stunning. My granddaughters and daughter loved the ice skating and used both a penguin figure and a whale as helpers on the rink. As a keen roller-blade skater, my eldest granddaughter took to the ice straight away. It was a wonderfully Christmassy scene with the Castle as the backdrop. Eventually I grew restless—and had a go at skating myself!
The ice dance group were amazing.Very talented skaters.The skating light show.
We had worked up a healthy appetite and went to find food. The vendors catered for all tastes. As I was not driving, I enjoyed a pint of my favourite pale ale from the Purity brewing company. There was so much choice. For my granddaughters, toasting marshmallows was an essential item on their list. On a cold night, the hot food was very welcome, and we were serenaded by Christmas singers as we sat.
One of the many food vendors.Toasting the marsh mallows.Lots of goodies to purchase.Christmas singers.
Then it was back for another go at the light trail—this time the right way! I loved the light tunnels, my granddaughters loved controlling the colours on the Christmas tree, and we all loved Holly the horse with her rider and handler.
A picture with Holly, the horse, who saved Christmas.Brilliant light tunnels.The look of Joy….…..and concentration.
–
We rushed back to be in time for Stories with Santa, our final scheduled event of the evening and a major highlight. I have visited the Castle on many occasions and the majestic Great Hall always takes my breath away. We were treated to a cup of orange juice for the children and prosecco for the adults. The elves were waiting in the dining room and introduced themselves. They asked the children to help sort out the presents. When this was done, Mrs Claus appeared followed by Santa himself, arriving via the chimney. There was much excitement and laughter as Santa settled to read us a story, Holly the Horse Who Saved Christmas. When it finished, all the children received a Holly soft toy and a picture with Santa, while the adults received a mince pie from Mrs Claus.
Santa Claus and Mrs Claus telling the story of Holly the horse that saved Christmas.That all important picture with Santa.Important discussions with the elves and some surprises.
By now my grandchildren were very tired and we slowly made our way back to the car. I took the opportunity to climb up the steps leading to walk along the castle walls. This allowed me to take pictures of the inner circle of the Castle in all its grandeur. We left in high spirits and the journey home was very quiet as the two girls fell asleep, dreaming of the evening’s adventures.
The conservatory looking beautiful in the light trail.
I would highly recommend a visit to the Castle. Everything about the experience is first class, well organised, and full of smiles from the staff. The lights were amazing, the ice skating was lovely to watch, and the food and drink hit the spot. Finally, a magical light trail. In my blog I have overused the words fun, magical, and excitement—but they truly sum up the evening.
Just so you know, the light trail is at Warwick Castle 🙂
The images online do not compare to walking through and taking part in the events. As a keen photographer, I was mesmerised by the lights and the creative ideas behind the trail. In truth, there was so much to do that we need a second visit to experience it all properly.
Thank you to everybody at Warwick Castle for such a wonderful evening.
If you enjoyed this blog then stay a while and also explore Warwick. Here is a blog that I wrote in 2020 and little has changed since then. Warwick Castle and the town has so much to offer.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
