I took a walk from Snow Hill train station up towards Edgbaston village where I had a meeting. This is a collection of 10 images in black and white from my walk. All taken with my Fujifilm x100vi and converted to monochrome.
Enjoyed this, then read some more about Birmingham in Black and White.
There is something hauntingly beautiful about the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia. The dramatic skies, the churning sea, and the wind-whipped coast all make for a landscape that is as raw as it is inspiring. I recently had the opportunity to explore this iconic stretch of Canada’s coastline during a weekend trip to Halifax—and what a memorable journey it turned out to be.
I was in Nova Scotia for the UIA Symposium, hosted at the Westin Hotel in Halifax. A colleague, Lisa, and I had arrived a few days early, hoping to explore the local sights—specifically, Peggy’s Cove and the historic town of Lunenburg. Both are about an hour’s drive from the city. Unfortunately, my plans to hire a car fell through when I realised that I had left my credit card at home. That setback turned Saturday into a relaxed day of exploring Halifax on foot, which was no bad thing. However, I still held out hope for a coastal adventure.
Sunday’s weather forecast was dire—rain, mist, and wind. Not ideal for a scenic drive. But fate stepped in. Over breakfast at the hotel, Lisa and I met Nico and Rebecca from Nami Surgical, who were also interested in seeing the coast. Nico kindly offered to hire a car, and just like that, our impromptu road trip was on. As we headed towards Peggy’s Cove, the weather worsened. A thick mist blanketed the road, and the wind grew stronger by the minute. When we finally arrived, the visibility was low, and the air had a sharp, salty bite.
The village of Peggy’s Cove lies in a protected inlet, with its famous lighthouse perched precariously on a granite outcrop. Warning signs near the rocks made it very clear: venturing too close to the water’s edge could lead to death. The wind was creating a dramatic frenzy—white foam and crashing waves everywhere. For a photographer, the conditions were perfect.
After taking countless photos of the lighthouse and the surrounding seascape, we wandered back into the village and stumbled across a small museum housed in the old schoolhouse. From there, we discovered a hidden gem: a photography exhibition entitled, “Visions of Time: Peggy’s Cove Captured Through the Lens of Photography and Film, 1920s to 1950s.” The exhibition featured vintage photographs and early film footage that documented the lives of fishermen and their families before tourism would change the village. The work of Edward A. Bollinger, Helen Creighton, W.R. MacAskill, and others brought to life a way of living now largely gone. Their black and white images inspired me. Although my visit was brief, I felt connected to this lineage of storytellers who have been drawn to Peggy’s Cove for nearly a century. I took more photos—my own small contribution to the village’s long visual history.
No trip to the coast is complete without seafood, and we found the perfect spot at Shaw’s Landing, just up the road in West Dover. The restaurant was recommended by Lee one of the concierge at the Westin Hotel. This was a great recommendation. The lobster roll was so tasty and full of flavour with a lovely salad to go with it. The meal was the perfect ending to out visit of Peggy’s Cove.
Final Thoughts
Peggy’s Cove is everything you hope for in a coastal destination—dramatic scenery, a rich history, and that unmistakable Atlantic charm. The mist added so much atmosphere making my visit memorable. As a photographer, this tiny village was a joy to visit and photograph.
The majority of my pictures were taken with my Fujifilm x100vi unless stated. The pictures were converted to black and white in Paint Shop Pro and contrast applied.
Further links to Lighthouses
If you like Lighthouse photography then I have more blogs to satisfy your interest in this area.
If you want to escape the Hell’s Kitchen that is Euston Station whilst waiting for your train, visit this delightful pop-up park. The theme echoes the past people and life of the area, providing a quiet place to sit and watch the world go by.
I came across Starcross Yard by accident. My train was delayed at Euston Station, which is a common story. I therefore went out to the west of the station and walked along Drummond Street. I often walk along here to and from the station, using it as a shortcut to Triton Square, where there are sparkling skyscrapers and interesting pieces of art to photograph. To get there, you must walk across an area slated for the HS2 station. There is not much going on there now, as there is still debate over whether the station will be built. As you move along, security is intense, with several guards and wardens stationed near the entrance to Drummond Street.
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Instead of going straight on, I turned right into Starcross Street, and this is where I found the pop up park. Starcross yard sits on the former site of the Maria Fidelis School, which was closed and relocated due to HS2 construction. Now, it has been transformed into a temporary pop-up park. With a triangular footprint, the small green area features a circular yellow mural and several benches. An interesting structure of four metal posts forms a canopy—these posts were taken from King’s Cross Station and thus maintain the railway connection. At one end, there is a training centre, and along the railings, information boards share stories of past people and events in the area.
Drummond Street and Starcross Yard are now home to a diverse community, mainly Bengali and Pakistani. Drummond Street boasts a rich mix of restaurants, sweet shops, and eateries, as well as a few public houses serving independent brews. As the sun streamed down, the shimmering glass towers of Triton Square loomed in the distance, but my attention remained on the pop-up park. I appreciated the little details that made the space unique, as my pictures show.
The park also inspired me to research the names and histories mentioned on the information boards. I have returned a couple of times and plan to visit again in the future. How long the park will remain is uncertain, given the ongoing debate about HS2’s future at Euston, but until then, it will continue to be a welcome space for the community to enjoy.
I gathered with a group of friends at The View, a restaurant in the Warwickshire countryside near Wootton Wawen. Before we sat down to eat, four of us took a short walk around the surrounding area.
This walk took us to the Edstone Viaduct, a spectacular canal aqueduct that runs over the Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon railway line. We made our way from The View across fields, down to the railway line, which had an unguarded crossing. Crossing this we arrived at the road and made our way to the viaduct. On the canal, a few narrowboats were moored, but as it was a cold February lunchtime, there was very little movement. I always like crossing the viaduct as the towpath is lower than the water level and so you have a different view of the canal.
The towpath and fields were extremely muddy, so having good walking boots was essential. The Warwickshire countryside is picturesque and gently rolling, and even on a grey day, it offers interesting places to visit. The pictures from this walk capture the beauty of the landscape, showcasing how this part of the world remains charming in all weather conditions.
If you enjoyed this entry in my blog then please read about my 4 churches bike ride around the Warwickshire Countryside. I also enclose a pdf from the View with a map and further details of my walk.
The dull and gloomy weather over Christmas has led to several fog-drenched mornings, which have lingered throughout the day. For photographers, such conditions are ideal for adding atmosphere to compositions. I set off towards Baddesley Clinton, where the presence of the canal network generally guarantees fog. I drove to Hay Wood but stopped by the entrance to Baddesley Clinton on the way to take a picture of the tree-lined entrance. Another good spot is the public footpath on Netherwood Lane. Here, the line-up of trees with a hedge is the perfect location for a sunset picture in the summer. In the winter, the branches add different shapes to the landscape. The fog provided an eerie landscape.
Hay Wood has featured in my blog over the years. There are several places in the woods that I like to visit. In spring, there is one area with a carpet of bluebells, and I wondered how it would look in the fog. I brought my tripod with me, and most of the pictures were taken using a long exposure setting, especially in the woods where the light was poor. There was some colour from the remaining leaves. The last few pictures show the oranges and greens of the wood.
I am pleased that the pictures worked out because I got a flat tyre on the way back and had to wait two hours for the recovery man to arrive. However, I was soon back home editing the pictures. You will see that I varied my black-and-white treatments, either adding a high-key effect or using lots of contrast.
These are my settings for each of the pictures, tripod used where stated:-
The Escape Route
f/11, 0.4s, ISO 100 – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 70-200mm – Tripod
Windows in the fog.
f/11, 0.3s, ISO 100 Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 70-200mm – Tripod
Entrance to Baddesley Clinton
F/5.6, 1/125, ISO 320 – Fujifilm x100vi
Dancing branches.
f/11, 1s, ISO 100 Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 24-70mm – Tripod
Trees standing in the fog
F/5.6, 1/125, ISO 320 – Fujifilm x100vi
Colours of winter
F/5.6, 1/100, ISO 2000 – Fujifilm x100vi
Orange and green
F/11, 0.5s, ISO 125 – Fujifilm x100vi – Tripod
As I mentioned Hay Wood has featured before in my blog and the landscape is transformed in Spring
Street photographers love London, and everyone has their favourite area for taking pictures. I simply enjoy watching people move around the streets. Sometimes, you find a street teeming with opportunities for photographs; other times, it is not so fruitful. But, as they say, go with the flow—good pictures are always waiting for you.
When wandering the streets, having a companion to share your journey is invaluable. Peter is an excellent photo buddy (link to Website). Living in London, Peter knows the best places to visit and is adept at finding ideal spots to stand. My other companion is my Fujifilm X100vi. The inbuilt image stabilisation makes it perfect for street photography. I shoot with a low shutter speed (1/30,1/60), a wide aperture (f4), and auto ISO to adapt to unexpected moments. The resulting pictures can be noisy, but a quick edit with Lightroom’s denoise function cleans them up effectively.
I have also set up my camera with back-button focusing, which has significantly improved my ability to capture scenes in focus. However, this technique introduces a slight delay as I focus before pressing the shutter. I overcome this by anticipating the scene forming in front of me.
My first stop was to see the lights along Regent Street, with the beautiful angels soaring above the centre of the road. The shop windows offered bright, eye-catching displays. My technique here was simple: stand still for a few minutes and point my camera at the scene waiting for a suitable picture to materialise. The magic in this series of pictures came from the rain earlier in the afternoon. A light drizzle was falling on the pavement, creating reflections that shimmered with colours.
I met Peter at Waterstones’ coffee shop, and we set off together. Starting with the bright lights of Piccadilly, we walked along Shaftesbury Avenue before exploring Chinatown. The city was bustling as it was the end of the working day. Pubs were overflowing, and people were moving everywhere, on foot and by bicycle. There was so much activity that pictures appeared all around us.
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The rain added another layer to the story, bringing out umbrellas that enhanced the scenes. As we wandered into the narrow streets of Soho, the vibrant atmosphere gave way to Leicester Square. Here, we encountered a German market, but it was a disappointment. The stalls were no different from those found in Birmingham, and their circular arrangement felt uninspired. I did, however, find an interesting tree to photograph, though not much else of note.
We did not stay long at the market. Instead, we headed to the Diamond Jubilee Garden facing St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden. The coloured lights reflecting off the wet pavements created a stunning view, and the silhouettes of people walking through the garden added depth to the composition of my pictures. We arrived at Covent Garden itself, and the decorations there were breathtaking. The large decorative bells and Christmas ornaments hanging from the ceiling filled the space with festive charm. The place was alive with energy, and I could have spent hours photographing the scene. This was my final stop on my visit to the lights of London. There were a few more pictures to take along the Strand before arriving at Charing Cross station and the Bakerloo line up to Marylebone station.
All that remains for me to say is: enjoy my photographs and the short descriptions accompanying each one. There are some fantastic backdrops, including a particularly amusing one where a poster is upside down. I am sure this was deliberate, designed to catch the eye of keen street photographers like Peter and me as we wander London’s streets.
If you enjoyed this view of Christmas lights then please follow the links below for more stories. One is about Christmas in Birmingham this year. The second is snow in our village in 2017.
The Jewellery Quarter is a picturesque part of Birmingham. In the centre of the neighbourhood are two cemeteries, Warstone Lane and Key Hill. Both graveyards are the resting place to the great and the good of Birmingham. During the day they are a quiet tranquil place where the peace is occasionally interrupted by workers from the Jewellery Quarter taking their lunch break. At weekends, there are groups of people touring the cemeteries. At night, the place is an ideal setting for more ghostly happenings.
The JQ BID put together a Pumpkin Extravaganza which was centred around the catacombs at Warstone Lane Cemetery. IgersbirminghamUK were invited to take photographs of the event. The evening included visiting the various stalls that had set out their Halloween displays. Activities included the opportunity to carve your own pumpkin. The Friends of Warstone Lane and Key Hill cemeteries had put out a display of skulls and other interesting spooky objects. The Coffin Works were demonstrating how to make badges using techniques normally used on coffins.
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There were tours of the catacombs and our guide, Josie, gave us a historical background to the area plus a few ghost stories as well. The low light made photography difficult but there were still many opportunities for pictures from the lights of the Pumpkins which were arranged in front of the doors of the catacombs. A spooky night was enjoyed by all as the pictures show. Thank you JQ BID for your organisation of the event.
If you enjoyed this blog about the IgersbirminghamUK photographic meetings then follow the link below and look out for details of our meetings on the IgersbirminghamUK Instagram page.
Black and white landscapes appear to be one of my specialities. I do not necessarily look for them but they seem to find me. I was very pleased to receive an honourable mention in the MonoVisions 2024 international photographic competition. This was a picture taken in Wychwood Wood which is local to me and surprisingly not a place that I have visited until recently. The tree trunks in the picture remind me of two people dancing. Whilst the trees are not able to shout, they can twist and turn. Full details of the competition and the honourable mention are on the web site. I was successful in the Monovisions landscape category in 2001 and 2003.
Exploring Birmingham in the early morning is a great pastime and the city opens up for many different photographic opportunities. One morning in July, I moved towards the law courts with no particular plan other than to take some street photography pictures. My eye always finds something that looks different and as I looked down towards Birmingham Crown Court and the Maclaren building, I noticed a metallic structure in the form of a triangle. I set off to investigate. I discovered a new square amongst all the newly built office blocks and student residences.
The architecture of the square may simply be described as brutal. Lots of concrete pavements and to one side, someone has “planted” three metallic trees with pointed branches that reach up to the sky seeking a sun above the concrete. This is a wonderful place for photography and I took many pictures with both my iPhone and Fujifilm x100vi camera. People stop in the square, taking a seat whilst waiting for their bus to arrive on the Priory Queensway. There is a restaurant on one side of the square that may look out of place but a search on the web shows that it has received good reviews. There is a bleak passageway that leads onto the Masshouse residential buildings. These flats were built around 10 years ago but are now looking a touch tired. A lone Palestinian flag hangs from one of the building balconies. The metal triangle that first caught my eye, is some form of decorative cover which adds to all the sharp angles and hard brutal feel to the square.
In summary another brutalist concrete jungle with the ironic touch of metal trees. The square makes for great photographic opportunities although I am not sure I would wish to live and work in the area.
Web link – if you like concrete then you will enjoy this blog entry.
The IgersbirminghamUK Icons walk started with a torrential downpour of rain. We met at the Five ways roundabout where we managed to shelter from the rain until we were brave enough to walk down Broad Street. The rain had created many excellent photographic opportunities including people with umbrellas concentrating on avoiding the large puddles.
The underpass at Five Ways is a busy thoroughfare with both people and delivery bikes moving around. If you stay still then you immediately look suspicious. There was a brief plan of where our walk would take us. The idea was to walk down Broad Street to Centenary Square with a short detour to Oozells Square. From then on we would visit two more squares, Chamberlain and Victoria with our final destination being the Colmore where we could discuss our photographs over a well-earned drink. I have grouped my pictures into several themes.
People
Broad street is always great for street photography with pedestrians undertaking different activities. They may be waiting for the trams or making their way to the theatres and concert halls. There is always the odd surprise such as the suited and booted men on scooters. Surprisingly they were not wearing helmets! Even the cyclist, I captured was not wearing one. The health and safety part of me has seen the results of people not wearing crash helmets. One of my favourites photographs was the picture of two women outside the Library of Birmingham practicing their hip hop dance moves in the window reflections. Other people looked very glum about the weather.
Signs
Letters are everywhere and a few caught my eye. Popworld was hosting a party and Ozzie was getting wet. There were signs of the cost of living crisis with unopened cans of food left on a bench. A story within a story, as the unopened cans sit on a bench near to the luxury five ways hotel where people can take a Rockstar taxi into the city. Head over to #igbk_meet_icons where one of our photographers focused on the lettering he encountered during our walk.
Icons
There are so many icons on the route and the Black Sabbath bridge over the Birmingham Canals is deserving of your attention. In Centenary Square, there was the obligatory shot of the golden boys statue. The Birmingham family holds a central position in the square and divides popular opinion. My picture shows that the overriding message is about love. The Iron:man by Antony Gormley regularly gets photographed as it is placed at the intersection of many walkways including the tram stop and Town Hall. Finally the Birmingham icon, Benjamin Zachariah, is the subject of an exhibition of his life and works. The pictures and living history of this influential poet and writer are set up near to the New Street entrance to Victoria Square. Biodiversity bear has also taken up residence in the same area. This is a busy place with the trams passing by in their distinguished blue livery.
Architecture
Birmingham is noted for its brutalist history and love of concrete. The start of our walk at the Auchinleck walkway provides an example of this. However spirits are raised when walking towards Field Marshall Auchinleck’s statue and down Broad Street. The high rise living apartments dwarf the street level buildings and lights. Older buildings fight for space with the newer blocks of architecture. Oozells Square still has presence, even though it is most famous for two weeks of the year when the cherry trees blossom. The reflective pool in Centenary Square was clear of any activity and with the recent rain, the classic picture of the Rep, Library and Hall of Remembrance was taken. A new icon, the Octagon, is rising in the background. The approach to Chamberlain square has a certain grandeur as the buildings on either side guide you to the Council House with the Chamberlain clock and the 103 Colmore Row skyscraper in the background. The security were kind to us and we were able to take photos on this privately owned part of Birmingham without hassle. Reaching Victoria square there is a mixture of construction and exhibitions taking place. Local Brummies will quip, “Birmingham will be good when it is finished”.
At the Colmore, we had great discussions about our pictures including those that got away. As we left the pub on our way home, the night was coming down allowing the neon lights to feature more in our pictures. The big wheel by the Cathedral invited us to take a few final pictures and then we caught the train home.
If you liked these pictures and want to know more about IgersbirminghamUK then please follow us on Instagram. Here is a previous blog describing another of our recent Birmingham walks.