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Night on the Canals

by Damien Walmsley Posted on

It is cold in January and as I was in the City for an evening meal, I took the opportunity to take a few pictures around Gas Street Basin and Brindley Place in Birmingham City Centre.  In a highly photographed area of the City, it is a challenge to take pictures that offer a different perspective of the area.  As I wandered around I did not realise how cold it was and it reminded me to get some special gloves that cover the hands but allow you to use the camera controls.  When I got to meet everyone in the restaurant, my hands hurt as the blood began to recirculate.  At least I had some pictures to look back on and some of them looked worthy for entry into my blog.  The majority of the pictures were done on a manual setting and I used railings and walls as my tripod.  It is difficult to balance the bright neon lights and some of the pictures were cropped to remove the distracting glare.  I enjoy night shooting in the city and I will miss the shortened days as spring is around the corner.

Broad St Canal Tunnel
Window patterns over the Broad St tunnel
Strolling and Cycling along the canal
Colours of the Mailbox
Brindley Place
Towpath to the Mailbox
Neon lights the way
Reflections
Under Broad Street
Categories blog

365

by Damien Walmsley Posted on

I have always used my photography as a diary and looking back at family pictures is always fun.  However, when I learnt about 365 projects in 2011 then I thought I would have a go at it.  The family said it would not last and it would be a passing fad.  Certainly the first year was often a challenge and I thought I may miss a few pictures.  Fast forward to 2018 and here I am entering my eighth 365.  It has become a diary of my life.  Even today I used it as a record for my professional CPD for 2017 as I sought to remember where I had been for research conferences and examining duties connected with work.  As a family dossier, each year is loved by the family and we regularly check what was happening.  WE even use it to remember which plant was flowering and whether it is early or not.   Tasha, one of my daughters, delights in making a year book featuring her favourite pictures.  A calendar is made for the family as well.  Not content with a 365, I also do it adhoc on Instagram, a 52 week project on Flickr and a monthly themed competition for the British Tech Network.  It does require a little bit of discipline in the evening and it is now a routine.  So to start this year’s 365 off, I include all the 1st January pictures since 2011 🙂  BTW if you want to keep up with my 365 then follow my Flickr account.

2011 1st January – Knowle Park
2012 1st January – Knowle Park, Solihull
2013 1st January Leamington Spa with the River Leam
2014 1st January – Katie with Archie
2015 1st January – Katie and Andy at the Etihad Stadium, MCFC
2016 1st January – Knowle Park with a lovely sunrise
2017 1st January – my granddaughter Lily amazingly 3 days after a major operation
2018 – A New Year dawn in Knowle Park and the start of a new 365

 

 

Categories blog

Chesterton Windmill

by Damien Walmsley Posted on

One of the most photographic structures near me is the Windmill at Chesterton.  I had visited it for the first time earlier in the year and I wished to plan another trip where I could have my tripod with me.  I contacted a good friend of mine, John Bray, and we planned the visit between Christmas and the New Year.  To really appreciate the Windmill you need to have good weather especially if you are looking for a memorable sunset.  As luck would have it not only did we pick a good afternoon, it had snowed the night before which gave an added plus factor to the photographic outing.  John and I spent an hour and half at the windmill taking photographs as the sun slowly left the sky.

Many people gathered for the sunset
A lone sail against the sunset
Starburst against the Windmill

The sunset was a good one and there were lots of opportunities for pictures.  Even the moon got into the act.  The temperature dropped and whilst it was cold there was little wind.  We took lots of pictures and soon it was time to leave as the sunset was nearly finished.  Just as we were walking away John turned around and said look at that view.  It is the old saying always look behind you when you are walking away from the picture.  John is really quick on getting his pictures out on social media and they were excellent producing much reaction.  Here are my views of Chesterton windmill on a cold yet ultimately rewarding photographic session.

A high key view
Afternoon light on the snow
Light through the centre
Shadows of the sails on the Windmill
Looking towards the Sun
Moonshot
The sentinel looks towards the sun
Another moon shot
The end of the day
Two figures walking towards the Windmill

 

John’s Photographs are on his Flickr account.

Categories blog

Getting Published

by Damien Walmsley Posted on

As an academic, getting published is a requirement for the job.  No publications then no reputation.  You need publications for promotion, your next research grant and also your research impact story.  When you enter into a different field which is not your job then it is difficult to know what constitutes success.  Is it the number of likes on your Instagram post or whether lots of people comment on it?  I consider most of my photographs as works in progress so it is nice to get them published in a dedicated Photography magazine.  Whilst several have made the local press, I get a real buzz if they are in a national publication.  This year I have been fortunate to have pictures printed in Digital Photography (Issue 185 and 195).  The latest one is taken in Grand Central Birmingham and has a strong leading line with two people either side of the picture.  One is walking up whilst the upper is walking down.  The picture was taken with my Canon G7 Powershot which I no longer use having opted for a Sony RX100 for everyday use.  The picture published earlier in the year was taken on the main commuter bridge over the West Coast rail line and for this I used my Canon 5D and 24-70mm lens.

As published in Digital Photographer, Grand Central Station
Commuter railway bridge crossing, Rugby

 

Categories blog

Let it snow

by Damien Walmsley Posted on

It snowed.  Also it was very considerate that it snowed on a Sunday morning as well.  It was a heavy downpour and I donned many layers before I set off for a journey through Knowle Village.  There were many people in the park and activities ranged from sledging to snowball fights.  There were very few cars around and several had been left on the side of the roads.  Even with my polariser lens filter, snow is very difficult to photograph.  My favourite picture was of the red letterbox and mailbox.  They have been in Knowle High Street for a very long time and were there when I arrived.  Hope you like the pictures and it is starting to look a lot like Christmas now.

Snowman
Outdoor play
Tree shapes
More Trees
The Snow turns to Slush
Knowle Church
Red boxes
Detail in the snow
Snowy hedge
Cracks in the Pond
Spot the man in yellow
Categories blog

BirminghamGems

by Damien Walmsley Posted on

I have been fortunate once gain to be included in a Calendar promotion called “Birminghamgems”.  It includes two of my pictures and it is for a worthy cause. We are supporting the Birmingham Museums.  This is the second year I have been involved with the @Birminghamweare initiative and it has been a great journey.  Lots of exposure for my photographs and the two that were chosen are shown below.

Early lights

The first one is called Early lights and was taken during one of my 7am jaunts around the City prior to my clinic in the City Centre.  Getting up early to take pictures of the City before work does have its advantages. The Birmingham Canal is part of the old industrial heritage and has some fascinating views.  This picture was taken looking down on where the canal goes under the Snow Hill Station arches.  There is a lone figure walking the canal if you can spot him!

Water Dancing

The second photograph is called water dancing and this was taken whilst I was strolling around Millennium Point and the water feature was working. A little sun and a little bit of HDR make the water jets look as if they are dancing.  This area will undergo great change in the coming years as the building to the right is Curzon street and this will be the hub for HS2.

Categories blog

Botanical Gardens Instameet

by Damien Walmsley Posted on
Path through the Gardens

When the notification came through, I immediately applied. A photographing evening at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens after-dark Christmas-lights experience was an exciting prospect. I was lucky to get one fo the 50 tickets as previous events sell out very quickly.  However, when the day came, the weather forecast was for one of the coldest nights of the year. I was starting to have second thoughts about going. I took the decision to wrap up warm, put my cameras in my back pack and set off for the gardens. When I got there, it was good to find friends from previous igersbirmingham Instameets.  The evening was going to be a good one.

The light show did not disappoint and the trees, paths and glasshouses were all part of a well choreographed light display. It is difficult taking photographs in the dark and also having to contend with the bright lights. The iPhone does well at producing a good picture whilst with modern cameras cranking up the ISO gives you lots of flexibility. I was fairly pleases with the results and provides good memories of the evening.

More details of the evening may be found on the IgersBirmingham Website.   The Botanical Gardens are well wroth a visit day or night 

Trees and lights
Illuminated paths
A multitude of colours
Like a candle in a tree
Having a chat in the Gardens
Stars at your feet
Snowflakes and Reindeer
Can you see the photographers in the light show
A path in the dark
A bit of blurring can be fun
Walking in Wonder
Christmas lanterns
Tunnel of light

 

Categories blog Uncategorised

Skychasing

by Damien Walmsley Posted on

If I need to think things through or if I am stuck for something to photograph then I head for Lapworth.  The Canal Junction linking the Grand Union and the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal is a picturesque spot and has all those ingredients you need .  I had hoped for a spectacular sunset and whilst not an intense one, it did not disappoint.  I remembered to bring my wide angled lens and also a graduated filter.  This did make the difference and ensured that I got a good balance between the sky and the reflections in the water.  One of my pictures even made the BBC weather watchers and was shot on the iPhone.

The pedestrian bridge over the locks
Reflections of the sky
Where the canal splits with to the Grand Union or straight onto Stratford-upon-Avon
Standing further back from the Junction
The iPhone picture that made the BBC weather.

 

Categories blog

Father of the Bride

by Damien Walmsley Posted on

Siân, my youngest daughter, got married to Jim Bruce and I was able to take a few photographs during the day.  We did have an official photographer and VJ is brilliant but I brought along my Sony RX100V5 for the ceremony and then my Canon 5D for the final part of the night.  It was a great opportunity to get some candid pictures. Weddings are fun but I would not wish to be an official photographer as I would be worried about making sure that I had the correct pictures and had not missed any of the important ones.  Here are a few of my better pictures that I took and I do love those ones that are showing a packed pub.  Everyone was having a great time and it shows.  The wedding was at St George and St Teresa and the reception was the Bell in Tanworth in Arden.  For those interested, my speech went as well as can be expected 🙂

Sian getting ready
The beautiful car with the beautiful bridesmaids
On the way to the Church
signing the marriage certificate
The bride and groom with the Bridesmaids (and Lily)
My three daughters, Natasha, Sian and Katie
The ushers, best man, bride and groom and the bridesmaids
Rob, Natasha and Noah (in his peaky blinder hat)
The Rolls Royce car in Tanworth in Arden
The decorations in the pub
Cutting the Cake
The Morgan family
Run Lily Run
The first dance
The first dance (continued)
What a party
Dancing the night away
My best night ever
Categories blog

#hellobrum

by Damien Walmsley Posted on

The hashtag #hellobrum is used by the University of Birmingham to promote the Institution on their social media channels.  My University role has changed over the last year and I find myself more and more on our beautiful campus.  This provides me with wonderful opportunities to take time during the day to photograph our everchanging campus.

The Aston Webb building

The following pictures are posted on Flickr, Instagram or even the BBC Weather Watchers site.  My social media feed often gets noticed by the @unibirmingham team or the Birmingham Post and Mail. It is always exciting to receive a mention from them.  I also love to hear people’s comments about my photographs as well.

Sunrise on Campus (featured on BBC Weather Watchers)
Rain on Campus (featured on BBC Weather Watchers)

Autumn provides a wonderful opportunity to photograph the campus as the colours and light produce interesting views.  I also follow other photographers and some of their pictures around the University of Birmingham are fantastic.  Often I get my own ideas for pictures by looking to see how others have interpreted the view of the campus.  All the pictures featured in the Blog were taken in the months of October and November and there will be more posted in the coming months.  Just look out on my social media feed and follow the #hellobrum tag.  Meanwhile I hope you enjoy this selection of pictures.

Old Joe reflected in an Autumnal Window
Window Detail (Aston Webb)
Old Joe in Autumn
The Great Hall
Sunrise over the University (published in the Birmingham Post and Mail)
Moonrise
Bramall trails
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