Digbeth Photography and Constant Change
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
