Black and White Architecture in Birmingham

by Damien Walmsley 21/04/2023 01/05/2023

Black and White Architecture, Birmingham April 2023.

My challenge for this week’s 52 weeks project was black and white photography. As I was in Birmingham for my research work, I took the opportunity to wander the streets of the city looking for pictures of buildings. Armed with my trusty Fujifilm x100v, I stepped off the bus at the O2 arena stop. On the opposite side of the road, there are new high raised buildings going up. All are aimed at the residential market. These skyscrapers are going up all over and the city looks unfinished or going places depending on which way you think.

My next stop was the square area of buildings that house the Holiday Inn, 3 Arena central and the Alpha Tower. Many shapes, angles and lines as the tall buildings are all clustered together. The Library of Birmingham and the Town Hall were also the subjects of my study on black and white architecture. Finally the rain, which had been falling heavily all day, got the better of me and soaked through, I headed towards Snow Hill Station for my train home. I still managed to get a few pictures of the Snow Hill skyscrapers.

My processing was a mixture of simple black and white or enhanced work with Silver Efex. The results were interesting and I was surprised that I captured so many buildings in different ways. I reflected all this was done without the need to photograph those iconic Birmingham buildings of the BT Tower, the Rotunda or the Cube. I will probably give the ones that I missed the black and white treatment another time. Meanwhile enjoy the ones that I have in this blog.

If you enjoyed this blog then how about a splash of colour with your architecture.

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The Fate of the Bull

by Damien Walmsley 08/10/2022 11/10/2022

The Bull in the Car Park, Ladywood, Birmingham, October 2022

The Bull enjoyed an intense period of adulation during the Commonwealth Games as the Birmingham Public took the Bull to their hearts. Standing tall next to the Central Library, the Bull became the main attraction in Centenary Square. I visited the square several times with the family. Whether you were young or old everyone loved the Bull. However, rumblings about its future began to surface as we learnt that it was not going to be a permanent fixture. There was an open debate what would happen after the Commonwealth Games were over. My blog account of that first day when the bull was moved to Centenary Square after that amazing opening ceremony, shows how much it was loved. There was much discussion about the future and the decision was to keep the Bull on show till the end of September.

The Bull at the peak of its powers during the Commonwealth Games

On the hour during the games, there was an amazing display from the Bull. The animatronics included leg movement, shaking of the head and smoke coming out of the nostrils. All this ceased as the team who operated the internal levers and controls moved onto other contract work in the UK. The Bull remained standing proud and was admired by the many visitors who came to Birmingham. Then not quite at the end of September, the Bull was moved from the square. It quickly transpired that its new home was a piece of waste ground in Ladywood near to the Birmingham canal navigations. There were coverings over the structure to protect it from the elements. Protection is needed as the Bull is of mixed construction with a metal outer skin, but internal organs made of foam and electronics. Within its centre was a telehandler, a type of tractor that enabled the bull to be moved around.

So how is the Bull these days? My pictures reveal life as a Bull in Birmingham after the Commonwealth games. The Bull stands alone by the canal behind barbed wire, covered with a tarpaulin. There is a single security guard on duty. My pictures show it is lonely and that people do not know it is around. My picture of the lonely bull with the couple passing by captured the imagination of Instagram and it was featured by BirminghamLive bringing its plight to the attention of the whole of Birmingham.

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PoliNations

by Damien Walmsley 25/09/2022 03/10/2022

We were promised lots more activity during the B2022 Festival linked with the Birmingham Commonwealth games. When a readymade garden in the middle of Birmingham was announced, it really caught the public imagination. PoliNations was not like any other garden, attracting huge anticipation on what to expect. This display was stunning and so different to what had gone before during the festival. PoliNations is difficult to sum up in a few words. I will try to describe the scene but I am aware that the gardens brought out different personal experiences from those who went.

To put it simply, Victoria square was transformed into a garden. The paving stones, concrete, and other parts of the square were covered with grass and flowers. There were 5 manmade trees with large umbrella like canopies. These trees were 40 ft high and towered above the landscape with the trunks covered with colourful patterns. At ground level, there were walkways through a garden of plants. Access was by several entrances which lead to different zones. Iconic plants such as apple, fern, roses and tulips were featured. Other parts of the garden were called Fringe, Sunny or Temperature zones and had flowers to match the theme. The map shown provides a key to the different areas.

The sensory garden had varieties of flowers based on those you would normally find in the City. I visited twice. Once while it was raining and the second time when the sun shone. I enjoyed all the textures, interaction with people and the use of mirrors on the public seating.

There was a full programme of events including music, dance and theatre which were held on either the large stage or the many smaller places through out the installation. I was not able to attend these shows but my visits during the day gave me a flavour of the place. PoliNations was magical but quirky, natural and surreal. The diversity of the place was displayed in the range of flowers, the colours on offer and the people passing through. The place eventually caught up with you and made you sit down and take in the uniqueness of everything.

PoliNations was a photographers delight allowing you to take a range of pictures. There were many stunning pictures taken using drones but I am a simple foot on the ground photographer and this is my interpretation of the place. A simple search on Instagram shows the variety of pictures that were taken. Please enjoy my pictures of my visit to PoliNations which serve as a memory of an extra-ordinary visit.

More pictures to view of PoliNations in the rain and the sun.

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The popular key – 103 Colmore Row

by Damien Walmsley 23/08/2022 03/10/2022

Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, 103 Colmore Row

By far the most popular venue for the #keyofthecitybrum was Birmingham’s newly built skyscraper, 103 Colmore row. On the 18^th floor, there is a south facing viewing platform that provides amazing views of the City’s major buildings. When the Key started, Instagram was inundated with pictures of the City of Birmingham from this platform. Many of these pictures were excellent and circulated by the social media team at 103 Colmore Row. I left my visit to the building till late July and wondered how I could do a different picture from the platform.

Arriving in the foyer of the building with Nicky Warwickshire, my photo companion for the day @nickywarwickshire, we were met by Touwa, one of the volunteers for the Key to the City Brum. Touwa welcomed us to 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham, England. He explained that the newly built building was a 108-metre tall 26-storey commercial office skyscraper. We were going to the 19th Floor and above this floor is the soon to be opened restaurant on the 24th floor. We were not going to the 18th floor viewing platform but to a floor that provides a 360^o view. The floor was empty, and I was able to get pictures of buildings such as the BT tower and the Rotunda. I even did a panorama to take in the skyscrapers. It was also possible to capture views of the people visiting who were fascinated with the views.

My different picture? I got down low and framed the top of the BT tower in the frame of the windows. I was pleased as I had got a different view which still conveys the sense of height above the city. The picture was featured by BBC Midlands Today that evening.

Finally a few more pictures showing the colours of the City for the Commonwealth Games taken from the 19th floor of 103 Colmore Row.

My Journey with the Key
If you wish to review my journey then I have published all my visits on my blog as follows.

Key to the City Brum
Three keys in Birmingham
Key to the trains and the football
My key opens another three locks
Keys to the Blyden’s Garden and the Legacy centre
Time to reflect with my key
Key to Green Lane Mosque
Route 61 and two more keys
The popular key – 103 Colmore Row (This article)
Open all hours with my key
No Ghosts were harmed by my Key
The key opens a special meal
Whistling a Birmingham success

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Route 61 and two more keys

by Damien Walmsley 22/08/2022 03/10/2022

Key to the City Brum, Fierce Festival, 2022, Lapworth Museum

Northfield Community Garden

The 61 and 63 buses routes are ones I know well as I use them to visit the dental school at Pebble Mill. I don’t often stay on the bus but for the keys of the City Brum, I carried on and headed down to Northfield. The final bus stop was only a short walk from the Northfield Community Garden. There were large iron gates which were locked by the heavy but majestic Yale lock. The gates had to be pushed open and then I entered.

There was a lovely welcome sign, and a garden-decorated tractor was also there to greet you. The garden, next to a busy road, is a mixture of different influences. My first thought is that the plants needed a good watering, but one could not overlook the enthusiasm that the gardeners have for the place. There are several car tyres used to good effect providing places for the growing plants. There were some welcome benches where one could sit down and take in the area. In one way it was chaotic, but this was also its charm.

The garden sits next to the busy Longbridge bypass and there is a dull noise of traffic in the background. Over time this noise recedes, and it is possible to relax, reflect and take in the surroundings. I loved the garden shed which was a colourful metal container painted with several eye-catching designs. Overall, a pleasant place to visit and wander around.

Lapworth Museum

I took the 61 bus back up the Bristol road and jumped off for the University. This #keyofthecitybrum was home territory for me as my visit was to the Lapworth Museum which is part of the University of Birmingham. The museum has won several local awards and been nominated for national awards. Geology is the theme, and this is highlighted by the magnificent Rock Wall which reaches up to the ceiling. The display cabinets have many drawers to pull out, with each one revealing different parts of the collection The large number of windows make the museum a delight to photograph and the afternoon light streaming through is a feature of the place.

But the centrepiece is a large dinosaur which is centre piece to the main museum room. Rory the Allosaurus is a commanding skeleton, and he is also the key to finding the lock as described in the instructions. Finding the lock could have been a challenge but I was ready for something hidden having already been to Acocks Green Cemetery. I found the lock in the cabinets opposite to Rory and inside there was a fascinating display of various rocks and fossils. The colours from the rocks is shown in the pictures. This treasure hunt for the key was rewarded with a lovely display. Very well done.

My Journey with the Key
If you wish to review my journey then I have published all my visits on my blog as follows.

Key to the City Brum
keys in Birmingham
Key to the trains and the football
My key opens another three locks
Keys to the Blyden’s Garden and the Legacy centre
Time to reflect with my key
Key to Green Lane Mosque
Route 61 and two more keys (This article)
The popular key – 103 Colmore Row
Open all hours with my key
No Ghosts were harmed by my Key
The key opens a special meal
Whistling a Birmingham success

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The Birmingham Bull

by Damien Walmsley 31/07/2022 01/08/2022

The star of the commonwealth games is the mechanical bull that was revealed at the opening ceremony. It stands 10 metres tall and sits atop a motorised vehicle that allows it to be manoeuvred. Both the head and the legs move and there are numerous working clogs and gears. When viewed close up, the details are astounding.

The Bull wowed the world at the opening ceremony and then immediately afterwards was escorted to centenary square in the City Centre. The public response has been amazing and as soon as news leaked out that it would be dismantled after the games, there have been a multitude of calls for it to stay. A petition has been set up and Birmingham City Council is being lobbied to keep the bull. The difficulty is that it is not easy to find a place to display a 10 metre high mechanical bull but a lot of thought is being given on how to achieve this. Meanwhile the Bull is attracting large crowds and everyone wants to have a selfie taking in the backdrop of Birmingham. Here are some pictures including intricate details of the bull for you to enjoy.

At the start of the week, the plan was to dismantle the bull at the end of the games. Now the City Council are planning to keep it due to the popularity of the structure. Fingers crossed people far and wide will be able to enjoy seeing this remarkable metallic puppet for many years to come.

Read these articles from the BBC to find out more.
Commonwealth Bull” A tourist attraction
Birmingham Commonwealth Games: Council considers keeping bull in the city

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Birmingham, Perry and the Commonwealth Games

by Damien Walmsley 27/07/2022 28/07/2022

Commonwealth Games Birmingham 2022 City Centre

The Commonwealth games are coming to Birmingham and the City council has gone overboard to make sure that the streets and roads are looking their very best. There are new pieces of artwork, refurbishing of old artwork and the enhancement of buildings. All guaranteed to make a Brummie proud. The following pictures provide a flavour of what is taking place across the City. Birmingham is making a statement to the Commonwealth and the World that it is a vibrant and exciting place to visit.

Lots of pictures around the city and it has been so exciting to see it all. I just hope this leaves a lasting legacy on the City of Birmingham. John Bray of the BBC has put together a wonderful set of images of Birmingham and his photography is excellent.
Commonwealth Games: Bright colours transform Birmingham landmarks – BBC

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Watching the sun go down by Bracebridge pool, Sutton Park

by Damien Walmsley 06/12/2020 07/12/2020

Surprisingly I have never been inside Sutton Park. Why not I ask myself, having lived in Birmingham and Solihull for over 35 years. I have been to Sutton Coldfield many times but not to the park. With some meetings cancelled, I planned a visit and got there around 45 minutes before the sun was to set. I timed my walk to be at Bracebridge pool when the sunset was due to take place.

It was muddy on the trails and I did get distracted by Blackroot pool on the way as the tree lined avenue next to the train line was glowing in the setting sun. Eventually I arrived on the shore of Bracebridge and I sat down to admire the colours of the sunset. I had debated whether to bring my tripod with me and I therefore played around with the ISO and left it at 400. The colours were beautiful, and I lingered a long time around the pool.

It was dark getting back and the prospect of negotiating the woods alone but luckily I met a couple who were disorientated and wanted to get back to the same car park. The park does get very quiet when the sun goes down. I came back and processed my pictures.

There was one I was particularly proud about and I received some interesting comments on it from Ewen in the British Tech Network Slackroom.

“So at that distance F10 to F8 is zero noticeable difference and F10 to F5.6 would have been a small enough amount for sharpening to reduce the difference. Handheld I expect myself to be able to shoot successfully at 1/15th There are trees there to brace against or you take off your shoe laces and tie them around the camera and hold the other end under you feet to get a taught line to pull against. All of these give you extra stops back to reduce the ISO. My first choice is always to maintain the lowest ISO and highest image quality as possible. Zooming in you already have excess grain in the water through the higher ISO and lower light level. Secondly, when adjusting the RAW file, use of ‘highlight’ slider to reduce the glare form the sun is the starting point as you need to get the ambient light on the rest of the image up. Your job is to balance the colours AND the textures. You’d nailed the textures but lost the awesome colours in everything but the clouds around the sun. Your next question is ‘what looks natural’ and when looking towards the Sun, your natural vision is ‘blown out’ in order to see the other details, so its ok to burn out the clouds around the sun a little more than you feel the histogram is telling you to. In that way you see more of the great detail in the trees and lake and you still get great colours in the clouds…just a little further away from the sun.”

Always good to get such advice and thanks Ewen.

If you are thinking about visiting Sutton Park then there is a good website from Birmingham City Council which has maps and information.
Sutton Park, Birmingham City Council