Street Photography in Digbeth, April 2025

I am always on the lookout for new street art in Digbeth and on social media I learnt that there was new artwork by Fokawolf under one of the railway arches. Another popular street artist, Gent48 frequently puts out vibrant murals and his new artwork was mentioned in recent instagram posts. My third reason for a visit was to take a look at the Colour Palette of Digbeth by Stacey Barnfield.  This made it the perfect time for one of my regular visits to Digbeth, giving me the chance to refine my street photography techniques. I have experimented with different ways of capturing people, and a recent visit to London had proved quite successful. Now it was time to see whether the streets of Digbeth would be just as receptive.

Street Photography in Digbeth, April 2025
Story by the arches.

The railway arches are a defining feature of Digbeth and often make a strong impression in photographing the area. I took the opportunity to capture the stories that unfolded beneath them. My Fujifilm X100VI was set up with back-button focusing, and as the sun was shining, I attached my Urth polarising filter to cut down on glare. The resulting images tell distinct stories, and I was pleased with how they turned out.

Street Photography in Digbeth, April 2025
Twist again and again.

When searching for street photography opportunities, the combination of artwork and typography is incredibly helpful. Timing is everything. I try to blend into the background. Focusing away from the subject while drawing them into the story is often a delicate balancing act.

Street Photography in Digbeth, April 2025
Let us sort the city out.
Street Photography in Digbeth, April 2025
Red Brick Market soaking up the sun.
Street Photography in Digbeth, April 2025
The colours of Gent48

Eventually, I found the Fokawolf piece—a large printout of the Chuckle Brothers pasted under the arches on Heath Mill Lane. Although I took many shots of people passing by the artwork, I was not satisfied with the initial results. Then I noticed someone approaching down the road. I waited in position. This is a useful technique: appearing to photograph the artwork and then capturing the subject as they enter the frame. I pretend I am still waiting for the right moment, even though I have already taken the shot. This approach only works in certain situations, but when it does, it can be very effective.

Street Photography in Digbeth, April 2025
The chuckle brothers by Fokawolf.

I also took some close-ups and other images of the surrounding streets. Digbeth naturally lends itself to photography. The colours of the street art are vibrant, and the architectural features add depth and texture. Messages on the walls and passing people add narrative and character to the photographs.

Street Photography in Digbeth, April 2025
The colour palette of Digbeth.
Street Photography in Digbeth, April 2025
Close ups of Digbeth.
https://thecolourpalettecompany.com/blogs/the-colour-palette-company/the-digbeth-colour-palette-a-super-sized-celebration-of-birmingham-s-creative-heart
The dentist in me appreciated this close up
Street Photography in Digbeth, April 2025
The green heart of Digbeth

Enjoy my latest venture into Digbeth, and there are more adventures and photography in Digbeth in my blog.

Flowers in my garden, April 2025

I love linking pictures to songs from my youth, and Talking Heads were a big influence on my musical tastes after seeing them back in 1978 at the then Manchester Polytechnic. Even more surprising was that the support band was Dire Straits—but I digress. The title of the song “(Nothing but) Flowers” ties in nicely with the following set of photographs.

Flowers in my garden, April 2025
A dark approach to the series.

I am not the best gardener, but I do enjoy taking pictures of flowers—both cultivated and wild varieties. With the fine weather, spring has arrived and many of the flowers in my garden are in full bloom. I was keen to take pictures of them but with a slight twist in composition. With photography, setting yourself a mini project is fun. My aim with this set of pictures was to complete a macro series looking closely at the flowers in my garden.

Flowers in my garden, April 2025
Unsure what is happening here but fun to photograph.

I have a 100mm Canon macro lens set up with a ring flash, and it works well on my Canon 5D Mk IV. I was taught by the best how to use ring flash photography for my dentistry work, and this Canon macro setup has served me well over the years. My settings for this series were aperture f/22, shutter speed 1/100 sec, and ISO 100. Flash power varied between 1/1 and ¼ depending on the available light. I prefer the manual flash setting for this work as I am able to control the amount of light on the subject.

Flowers in my garden, April 2025
A dramatic clash of colours.

Composition: I aimed to photograph the flowers in my garden from an above point of view. By firing the flash directly at the flower, I would illuminate the centre, with the light falling off around the edges to create a black vignette. The pictures are full of contrast, and the colours are vivid. I like the effect, and I used the circular design of the flowers to fill the square crop.

Flowers in my garden, April 2025
the symmetry and geometry of nature.

I enjoyed this experimental approach to using the ring flash in this way and appreciated the sharpness and contrast in the images. Maybe next time, I will look out for some small insects to interact with the flowers. Nature certainly knows how to put on a good show—with beautiful symmetry and geometric design.

Flowers in my garden, April 2025
Intense yellow colours on a white background.

These pictures were of my flowers taken in my back garden. I also mentioned that I enjoyed pictures of wildflower landscapes. Please visit my link below to see a beautiful poppy field in Kinver, Staffordshire.

Reflections, Selfridges, Birmingham, January, 2025

The year may have started with plenty of rain, but that never stops me from hunting for reflections. I have a few favourite spots where I find good puddles, and here is a selection from the start of 2025.

Reflections, Kingswood Junction, Lapworth, Warwickshire, January, 2025
Kingswood Junction after a very heavy downpour flooded the towpath.
Reflections, Gas Street Basin, Birmingham, January, 2025
Taken with my Fujifilm x100vi of Gas Street Basin. There is smoke billowing out of one of the narrowboats.

Someone recently asked about my technique for taking such pictures. When capturing reflections, I use my iPhone, seeking out patches of water and anticipating how a reflection may appear. A key step is to get as low as possible to the puddle. This can be challenging, especially with particularly muddy puddles, like the one on Normandy Hill. One wrong step, and you could end up a muddy mess if you stumble into the water.

Reflections, Normandy Hill, Hillmorton, Warwickshire, January, 2025
This reflection was taken from the surface of a very muddy puddle on Normandy Hill, Hillmorton, Rugby.

I position my phone so that the back lens is as close to the water as possible, just before autofocus engages. This creates a blurred background effect as the phone focuses on the nearest object. Since you are often crouching in muddy water while holding your phone, you must anticipate the outcome of your shot rather than seeing it perfectly in the moment. Using a larger camera—even a compact one—would be difficult in such conditions. Of course, larger cameras work well when photographing a lake beneath a mountain range, safely away from the water’s edge. However, the beauty of using a phone is its ability to capture reflections effortlessly during everyday walks.  There are two pictures, in this gallery that have been taken with my Fujifilm x100v and I am still able to capture the magic of reflections.

Reflections, Dorridge Train Station, January, 2025
Tow trains, one local, the other to London with the reflections framed by the footbridge.
Reflections, Paddington Basin, London, January, 2025
This contrast of colours of the blue hour and the warm lights is enhanced by the reflections. The picture was taken with my x100vi.

Having taken reflection photographs countless times, I now appreciate that the real skill lies in composition. It is about anticipating the possibilities that even a small puddle can offer.

Reflections, Selfridges, Birmingham, January, 2025
Reflections at Selfridges with a blue theme. A favourite place for photographs.

The final picture of Reflections at Selfridges was featured in the 52Frames project. I was really pleased that it was selected and I received many positive comments. I would recommend readers to get involved with the project.

Enjoy this small selection of my reflective photography—I am sure there will be more throughout the year, so check back for updates!

Here are two more links to follow if this section on reflections has “wetted” your appetite.

Sunset and blue hour, Digbeth, Birmingham, January, 2025.

I love January days when there is a clear blue sky and the weather is dry and crisp. We have had a few cold days like these, which have also featured bright sunrises and warm sunsets.  January is also a great time to photograph the streets of Digbeth. Warm colours are created as the sun sets, highlighting the character of the old industrial brick buildings of the area. The brickwork soaks up the light and emits a deep warm glow. Checking my TPE, I found that the setting sun aligns along Floodgate Street during the golden hour.

Sunset and blue hour, Digbeth, Birmingham, January, 2025.
Long shadows starting to form along Floodgate Street.
https://www.instagram.com/dammodammo
The Moon above Spiderman at Luna Springs

Wrapping up warm with plenty of layers of clothing, I arrived at Moor Street Station. My route to Digbeth took me past the old Typhoo tea factory, which is under renovation and will soon become the new Midlands headquarters for the BBC. Along the way, I met fellow photographer Simon MacCreedy, who was out with his trusty Pentax. We caught up on the latest news and talked about our photography. Simon specialises in black and white photography, and his work is worth exploring, especially on his @Macindigbeth Instagram account.

Sunset and blue hour, Digbeth, Birmingham, January, 2025.
Striding towards with ambition.

After saying our goodbyes, I headed to Little Ann Street. The sun was low, and only the tops of buildings were still bathed in light. Shadows crept across the street but had not yet obscured the words “Striving forward with ambition,” painted on the side of the Performers and Screen and Film School building, part of the BIMM Music Institute group. The sign was created by FokaWolf, a subversive street artist known for parody and satire.

Sunset and blue hour, Digbeth, Birmingham, January, 2025.
Adam and his mate flagged me down and asked for a picture of them in their car. They had heard of @dammodammo.
https://www.instagram.com/dammodammo
Long shadows in the sunset.
https://www.instagram.com/dammodammo
A billboard with a message seen on the High Street.

On Floodgate Street, long shadows stretched behind pedestrians walking along the pavements. Having taking a few pictures, I walked over the canal to Montague street to visit the Digbeth Loc. Studios  where the filming of the forthcoming “Peaky Blinders” movie is taking place.  The film studios were established by Steven Knight and he commissioned Mr Murals to paint a mural  the building of the iconic Peaky Blinders characters. The hand-painted street art features the characters, Thomas Shelby, Ada Shelby, and Alfie Solomons, with a scene of Birmingham from the past behind Thomas Shelby. It is a fantastic piece of art, though not the easiest building to photograph.

Sunset and blue hour, Digbeth, Birmingham, January, 2025.
Part of the Peaky Blinder mural on Montague Street.
Sunset and blue hour, Digbeth, Birmingham, January, 2025.
The eyes have it, Alfie, Ada and Thomas.

Back on Gibb Street and Floodgate Street, the sun had almost set. I lingered, taking pictures, and noticed the sky beginning to change colour as the blue hour approached. Standing at the entrance to Gibb Street, I saw the city’s high-rise buildings silhouetted against the deepening blue sky. Searching for the best view, I crossed over the high street to the newly laid tram tracks.  Standing on the tracks I saw classic leading lines that conveniently pointed back towards the city. I know that his would be a good picture.  After activating the RAW function on my iPhone for the most detailed information, I captured several shots and was very pleased with the resulting pictures.

Sunset and blue hour, Digbeth, Birmingham, January, 2025.
The tracks of the city.

The temperature was dropping fast, but I was determined to photograph more of Digbeth during the blue hour. The contrast between the warm streetlights and the cool blue sky created vibrant, colourful scenes. Eventually, the cold won, and I retreated to the warm carriages of a train back to Olton for dinner at my daughter’s house. Reflecting on the day, the two to three hours spent in Digbeth were worthwhile and added another chapter to my photographic diary of this dynamic area of Birmingham.

Sunset and blue hour, Digbeth, Birmingham, January, 2025.
The yellows and blues along Floodgate Street.
Sunset and blue hour, Digbeth, Birmingham, January, 2025.
The classic view of Gibb Street.
https://www.instagram.com/dammodammo
Yo Birmingham

I have done many visits to Digbeth and I am spoilt for choice. I have narrowed down my selection of my two more popular blogs on Digbeth. I hope you enjoy reading them. My first choice is a visit to Digbeth in January 2024 but the setting is in the morning. My second is a study of the street art and the pictures were taken during the day in July 2020. Enjoy!

Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester, January 2025

Sunrises in January are an ideal time for photography. An early, low sun rising in a cloudless sky creates areas of contrast wherever the light falls. I enjoy getting up early to catch such sunrises, so I treated myself to a visit to Gloucester. I had never visited the restored docks, and I do enjoy strolling around new venues. After checking the weather for the next day, I was optimistic that I would come away with some good photographs. I was also keen to visit the Cathedral. While browsing the Museum of Gloucester website, I discovered that the International Photographic Exhibition, organised by the Royal Photographic Society, was on. I was excited, as I had a solid plan for the day.

Gloucester Docks, Gloucester, January 2025
Shadows from the buildings create interesting shapes as they are reflected in the water.

The docks are steeped in history, and the area has been renovated with flats and restaurants. I arrived just before sunrise. The area initially looked grey, but as the sunrise progressed, the scene transformed. The brickwork of the old warehouses at Gloucester Docks began to glow as the buildings soaked up the sunlight. I love how, when the light reaches a building, a warm, radiant glow emerges. The docks have many interesting features. The boats are all individually decorated, each with their own character.

Gloucester Docks, Gloucester, January 2025
Old cranes and typography on the buildings.
Gloucester Docks, Gloucester, January 2025
Colours and reflections.

I had read that Sula, the lightship, would be in dry dock, so I was pleasantly surprised to see it in the water. Even better, the sun was already beginning to highlight the red paint. As you can see from my pictures, I was captivated by the Sula Lightship. The bright red colour of the boat was beautifully illuminated by the sunlight. The low sunrise created shards of light that highlighted local people passing by the boat on their way to work.

The Sula lightship, Gloucester Docks, Gloucester, January 2025.
The Sula lightship catches the sunrise.
The Sula lightship, Gloucester Docks, Gloucester, January 2025.
The silhouette of the lightship.
The Sula lightship, Gloucester Docks, Gloucester, January 2025.
Sula lightship with dockland buildings.

There were many other captivating scenes at the docks before I moved on to other attractions. I particularly enjoyed photographing the Kyneburgh Tower, designed by the artist Tom Price. The internal structure, featuring ever-decreasing irregular circles rising up towards the top of the tower, was fascinating. I also passed by the small house dedicated to the Tailor of Gloucester and could not resist taking a photograph of its charming front.

The Kyneburgh Tower, Gloucester, January 2025
Looking up inside the Kyneburgh Tower.
Tailor of Gloucester, Gloucester, January 2025.
The Tailor of Gloucester shopfront near to the Cathedral.

On previous journeys to the University of Plymouth, where I served as an examiner for several years, my train often passed through Gloucester. The Cathedral, visible from the elevated railway track, is a commanding structure. Every time I saw the cathedral; I told myself I must visit and see the interior one day. The Cathedral is awe-inspiring, and the internal ceiling structure is a sight to behold. I have seen many photographers’ pictures of the ceiling and was eager to capture my own.

Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester, January 2025.
The main hall, Gloucester Cathedral

I also enjoyed smaller details, such as the angels in the choir stalls. Additionally, I was intrigued by the tomb of Robert Curthose, or Robert of Normandy, William the Conqueror’s oldest son, who never ascended the throne. I like the way his tomb was set out and was more attractive than Edward II’s tomb on the other side.

Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester, January 2025.
An angel looks up at the Choir stall lights.
Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester, January 2025.
The tomb of Robert of Normandy.

There are many other parts of the Cathedral that are a joy to see. Whilst the main hall is the most visually impressive part of the building, the cloisters, famous for being a filming location for the Harry Potter films, were particularly striking. Despite the post-Christmas cleanup being underway—it was just a few days before Epiphany—I managed to take some photographs. For me, the docks and the Cathedral were the highlights of Gloucester.

Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester, January 2025.
Christmas trees in Hogworts!

The High Street, while interesting to walk through, felt like many other high streets in the UK these days, with drab shops and few people about. There are some interesting alleyways that I would come back to explore. There are several impressive buildings on the high street including the Mayor’s house from the 1600s which is now a Costa Coffee House. There is a YouTube video made by Historic England that takes you for a walk around the architectural highlights of the city.


The International Photography Exhibition 165, sponsored by the Royal Photographic Society at the Museum of Gloucester exhibition was a high point. I would highly recommend this exhibition to anyone interested in photography. The display featured many inspiring images, including works by international artists documenting their local environments. Having recently completed a documentary photography project myself; I found the exhibition particularly engaging and rewarding.

International Photography Exhibition 165, Royal Photographic Society, Museum of Gloucester, Gloucester, January 2025
International Photography Exhibition 165, Royal Photographic Society, Museum of Gloucester.

There is a series of blogs on the subject “Photographing ……” and you may like the last one that I posted on Photographing the Cotswolds which is a place not far from Gloucester!

The Pedicabs of London at Christmas 2024

These pedicabs or rickshaws look exciting but they are an accident waiting to happen as often or not the cyclist is not looking at the road whilst he is weaving in and out of the traffic. These pictures were taken on Oxford and Regent Street during the early evening. The streets were full of Christmas shoppers and were many of these bright contraptions on the roads. Furthermore the rickshaw does look very flimsy.  There are so many of them blaring out music and weaving in and out of traffic.  Even though these bicycles do not travel so fast, the light is tricky when photographing at night.

The Pedicabs of London at Christmas 2024
Three in the back and one driver.

There are many articles on these so called pedicabs which highlight the problems that surround them. I have featured two of them from the BBC and the Metro.

The Pedicabs of London at Christmas 2024
Whilst the passengers are happy, the driver has one hand on the bar and the other on his phone.
The Pedicabs of London at Christmas 2024
All eyes on the road please.

These pictures were taken during my recent visits to London and you can read more on the link below.

The London Lights in Central London, December 2024

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.

The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
The upside down world of Soho.
The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
Good will on Earth to Refugees.

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.

The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
Everyone is taking pictures of the Piccadilly light show.
The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
The streets were atmospheric giving a Christmas look.

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.  

The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
Regent street shop displays are very elegant making super street photography backdrops.

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.

The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
Reflections and 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.


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.

The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
Tree decorations – Leicester Square.
The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
Busking away looking for an audience.

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.  

The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
Approaching Covent Garden.
The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
St Paul’s Church Covent Garden.
The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
Street reflections and silhouettes. St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden.
The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
The Christmas tree and decorations in Covent Garden
The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
The beauty of the interior of Covent Garden.

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.

The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
Toys and Souvenirs.
The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
Blue tyres and red lights on the Strand.
The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
Outside Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.
The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
Walking in the rain outside the Hippodrome.
The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
I love London.
The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
The shop window says it all.
The London Lights in Central London, December 2024
Escalator at Charing Cross.

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.

Cathedral Square Christmas Market, November, 2024

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition visited the Waterhall in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. This is the second year that I seen WPOTY, and the images were just as impressive as those shown last year at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry. The photographs were incredibly powerful, and the exhibition is a must-see.

Cathedral Square Christmas Market, November, 2024
A Christmas arch at the entrance to the market
Cathedral Square Christmas Market, November, 2024
Permanent and temporary architecture.

As we had a late afternoon slot at the museum, we decided to stay in Birmingham for the early evening. Our first stop was The Sun on the Hill. The pub had a lively buzz and offered a selection of interesting beers. However, we were eager to visit The Pigeon in the Park, a pop-up pub within the Cathedral Christmas Market.

Cathedral Square Christmas Market, November, 2024
Street scene from the market.

In my opinion, this Christmas market is a much better option than the Frankfurt German Market, which tends to be overcrowded. While the prices are still high, they are comparable to those at the main German Market. I prefer the area around the Cathedral as it is easier to move around. There are several excellent food stalls, and, of course, the famous pop-up pub.

Cathedral Square Christmas Market, November, 2024
Streetfood
Cathedral Square Christmas Market, November, 2024
Making your mind up.
Cathedral Square Christmas Market, November, 2024
Steam cooking
Cathedral Square Christmas Market, November, 2024
Decisions, decisions
Cathedral Square Christmas Market, November, 2024
Wandering through the stalls

The top floor of The Pigeon in the Park offers a panoramic view of the activity in Cathedral Square. Sipping a pint while people-watching is a great pastime. Groups often gather, hopeful of securing a table on the balcony. Below, the stalls are bustling, and the delicious aroma of cooking wafts up to the pub.

Cathedral Square Christmas Market, November, 2024
Light movement

The Pigeon in the Park is a fantastic spot to enjoy a drink on a cold winter’s night in Birmingham.

If may wish to see what Birmingham looked like last Christmas as I have a blog about it.

Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Walton on the Naze, Essex, 2004

Last year a BBC weather watcher picture caught my eye.  The featured photograph showed multi coloured beach huts lined up in rows.  The caption gave the name of the place as Walton-on-the-Naze.   The picture was fascinating and I said to myself “I must visit this place one day”.  When the opportunity arose to speak at a conference in Colchester, I planned a visit to the seaside towns in Essex before arriving at the conference.  The idea was to take pictures of these colourful beach huts starting at Walton-on-the-Naze.  

Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Walton on the Naze, Essex, 2004
Taking time out in the sun.

Arriving in the town, I went to the viewpoint on the cliff that overlooked the pier.   Behind me was the Victorian architecture of the town and in front the rooftops of the Beach huts lined up along the promenade.  Walton-on-the-Naze is a picturesque seaside resort. In early October, the holiday season was at an end, and the doors of the beach huts were shut.  I went down to the promenade walked past the pier and immediately came face to face with the colourful fronts of the numerous beach huts.  

Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Walton on the Naze, Essex, 2004
Rows and rows of Beach huts at Walton-on-the-Naze
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Walton on the Naze, Essex, 2004
Looking back from the promenade at the beach huts.
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Walton on the Naze, Essex, 2004
Walking the promenade.

As a photographer, I just self-indulged in taking pictures with all those vibrant pastel colours.  I walked around them and even climbed up the cliff steps taking in all the different rows.  As well as their colourful designs, people had called their beach huts various names.  I walked for a good half a mile along the promenade admiring the various huts.  The tide was in and the sea was splashing upwards and I had to take care of the camera.  The sun was shining and there were countless opportunities to take pictures of the people who were out and about walking up and down the promenade.   

The design of the huts changed as I moved towards Frinton-on-sea and some of the beach houses were on struts with walkways leading up to the door.  Looking at my pictures you can see the different varieties.

Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Walton on the Naze, Essex, 2004
The changing style of beach hut.
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Walton on the Naze, Essex, 2004
Pastel colours

Next stop was Frinton-by-the-sea and here the cliff wall was higher but I went down and once again came across a long row of the beach huts facing the sea.  I even found one couple had opened the doors of their hut.  They were enjoying the sun and catching up with what looked like work.   

Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Frinton-on-sea, Essex, 2004
Beach Huts along the Essex coast, Frinton-on-sea, Essex, 2004
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Frinton-on-sea, Essex, 2004
Enjoying the sun in October.
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Frinton-on-sea, Essex, 2004
The beach is in easy reach.
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Frinton-on-sea, Essex, 2004
Frinton-on-sea.

Following my visit to Frinton-on-sea, my next stop was Clacton-on-sea or simply Clacton.  The town was busier and whilst there are only a few beach huts, there was a very grand pier which was open to the public.  The pier was quiet and none of the amusements were working but there were some good views of the coast.  I walked along the promenade and visited the area where Butlins used to be situated.  The area is now a new housing estate and the information boards gave details of what the place would have looked like in post war times. 

Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Clacton, Essex, 2004
Clacton pier was quiet.
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Clacton, Essex, 2004
Roller coaster against a clear blue sky.
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Clacton, Essex, 2004
A few of the beach huts at Clacton.
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Clacton, Essex, 2004
The wall of the Martello Tower in the foreground and in the background the housing estate built on the former Butlins holiday camp.
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Clacton, Essex, 2004
Where to find your beach toys.

The tide was going out and so I was able to get on the beach and take in the sea air.  This visit has satisfied my desire to see beach huts.  I did enjoy the colours in each town and all the different characters of these charming seaside resorts. There was the cleanliness and gentility of Frenton-on-Sea to the brash busy streets of Clacton.  Walton on the Naze enjoys a beautiful coastal location with the added attraction of the Neze Tower. A lovely day out at the Seaside.

Please read my companion piece on the Naze tower.

The Closing of the Floodgate, Digbeth, July 2024

The Floodgate featured in one of my favourite pictures which was taken in Floodgate street during the early hours of morning.  Although I had never been inside the venue, I have passed the front entrance on many occasions during my photographic visits to Digbeth.  When I heard that The Floodgate was closing then I knew that I had to photograph the place before it closed.  On a Friday afternoon, which was the penultimate day of the venue being open, I ventured into the place and brought a drink at the bar.  I asked the staff whether I could take photographs of the inside and they kindly said that I could go ahead. So a big thank you to them for this blog.  

The Closing of the Floodgate, Digbeth, July 2024
Baseball cages
The Closing of the Floodgate, Digbeth, July 2024
The Floodgate Raceway
The Closing of the Floodgate, Digbeth, July 2024
Beth who works at the Floodgate with artwork in the background.

The Floodgate is one large games entertainment venue with curling, baseball, table golf and model car racing amongst the sports that punters can take part in.  I met Beth who worked in the Floodgate.  Beth explained that the Floodgate was closing due to the sky-high rent.  When Beth told me the figures that they were being charged for rent then it is no surprise that independents are struggling.  Digbeth is undergoing changes and the early success of independents has attracted larger businesses who want a slice of the action. Digbeth is becoming a very popular part of Birmingham (if it was not popular already).  There are plans for several high rise residences to be built in the vicinity.  Many of the old warehouses and industrial units are being earmarked for demolition with a complete revamp of the area planned.  Already the Boxpark franchise will be pumping 5 million pounds under the nearby railway arches that will create bars and restaurants.  The independents have difficulty in matching this sort of investment.  

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The Floodgate had only just opened for the evening and apart from a few customers playing curling, I had the place to myself for taking pictures.   The Floodgate has one large bar area situated in the main warehouse.  Table tops are in the form of baseballs and colourful murals adorn the walls. There are baseball cages and an impressive model car racing track.  The latter has a set of seats complete with steering wheels where people can control the model cars they see in front of them around the track. 

The Closing of the Floodgate, Digbeth, July 2024
You never know who you will meet in the dark
The Closing of the Floodgate, Digbeth, July 2024
With a little help from my friends
The Closing of the Floodgate, Digbeth, July 2024
Hole 18 – Table Golf
The Closing of the Floodgate, Digbeth, July 2024
The Trotter’s car and other lights.

 Leading off from the main warehouse, there are two games areas . The walls are covered with colourful graffiti art that glows in the UV light.  The area is a psychedelic experience and the Jimi Hendrix song Purple Haze came to mind. I enjoyed taking pictures with both my cameras, the Fujifilm x100vi and my iPhone.  This is where the new Fujifilm with IBIS worked well.  Such pictures taken in low light with this camera would have been impossible without a tripod in the past.  The iPhone is well known for its low light photography,  The curling lanes were surrounded by lights and a ceiling of springs.  The table golf set up looked impressive when set against the graffiti. The area was a little spooky with no people present. Beth did tell me that there were stories about ghosts in the warehouse and occasionally I felt a presence as I wandered around the darkly lit areas of the table golf rooms.

The Closing of the Floodgate, Digbeth, July 2024
Outside Curling
The Closing of the Floodgate, Digbeth, July 2024
Glory Days
The Closing of the Floodgate, Digbeth, July 2024
NHS Angel wings in the light
The Closing of the Floodgate, Digbeth, July 2024
Under the arches

The outside area has more curling lanes and baseball cages that are set against a backdrop of the towering railway arches.  The cameras now had to deal with strong light and harsh shadows as for once it was not raining.

My final shot was of Beth and other staff in the bar area.  It is sad to see such places closing but I guess this is progress.  The early charm of Digbeth with venues taking advantage of the old industrial warehouses is slowly disappearing.  The Floodgate is an example of creating different types of entertainment.  Such places will disappear and be replaced with new shiny establishments that will cater for most of the new residents that will be entering Digbeth.

My final shot was of Beth and other staff in the bar area.  It is sad to see such places closing but I guess this is progress.  The early charm of Digbeth with venues taking advantage of the old industrial warehouses is slowly disappearing.  The Floodgate is an example of creating different types of entertainment.  Such places will disappear and be replaced with new shiny establishments that will cater for most of the new residents that will be entering Digbeth.
Beth with the Floodgate bar in the background
My final shot was of Beth and other staff in the bar area.  It is sad to see such places closing but I guess this is progress.  The early charm of Digbeth with venues taking advantage of the old industrial warehouses is slowly disappearing.  The Floodgate is an example of creating different types of entertainment.  Such places will disappear and be replaced with new shiny establishments that will cater for most of the new residents that will be entering Digbeth.
Floodgate Street

If you enjoyed this blog then please take a look at my other Digbeth entries starting with Digbeth Art from July 2020

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