“Go West – Life is Peaceful there”. The song from the Pet Shop Boys inspires this posting.
I set off walking to the Birmingham Peace Gardens from Moor St. My fist photographic stop was along Smallbrook Queensway where I took pictures of the early morning commuters. I moved onto Holloway Circus to take pictures of the Chinese Pagoda juxtaposed against the Raddison Blu Hotel. Next I headed West on Bath Row to the Birmingham Peace Gardens. This is a lovely tranquil spot but in dire need of some investment to bring it back up to its former glory. Its full name is St Thomas’ Peace Garden. It was one of many “Waterloo” commemorative churches built after the Battle of Waterloo. It was partially destroyed in the WWII blitz on the city and never rebuilt. The remains of the Church and the area around have been made into a remembrance garden. It is very peaceful there and on this particular morning no-one else was about. I spent time taking photographs and when finished moved onto the Worcester and Birmingham Canal which is nearby. Here the canal landscape is dominated by the Cube, a futuristic building which is a mix of offices, residential flats, restaurants and a hotel. It also makes for a good backdrop for photographs. I had both my Sony and the Canon 5d with the 24-70mm lens with me. There are a few close ups, low down shots and looking up pictures as I try to vary the point of view. Always learning! and such walks are chance to relax and try new techniques.
“Go West, this is what we’re gonna do, Go West” – Pet shop Boys
