Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.

The sun people.

The golden ticket on a beautiful September evening was a 155 metres journey to the top of the Octagon skyscraper.  The invite from Core-marketing on behalf of Paradise Birmingham brought out the great and the good of the photographic fraternity in Birmingham.  There were many people disappointed that they were not there to celebrate the “topping out” of this iconic skyscraper.  Over 60 photographers gathered at the base of the Octagon waiting to be taken up the 49 floors to the very top of the building.  Our “lift” was a hoist which was a platform cage that pointed away from the building. This took up the first 25 photographers.  Then there was an anxious wait as the hoist came back down for the rest of us. We did not want to miss the sunset.  The cage of the hoist was bordered by a metal grill and as we climbed the outside of the building to the very top , our mobile phones recorded the journey.  

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Our “hoist” to the top.

We were greeted with a beautiful golden sun that was setting in the West over Edgbaston reservoir.  The 360 degrees view was spectacular and with time the familiar landmarks around Birmingham came into focus.  There was Broad Street, the Rotunda, the Cube and the BT Tower.   Further away the Aston Expressway together with various mosques and churches scattered around the horizon could be seen.  The serious photographers were very active.  Cameras were pointed at the view and many pictures were taken.  There were two levels at the crown of the Octagon, the main level with a metal barrier around the periphery and then a central raised column accessed by a metal staircase, provided a clearer view.  There were various cameras on display ranging from super zoom telescopic lenses right down to the humble mobile phone.  The social media channels were going to be saturated with views of  Birmingham. Nicky Warwickshire, James never Jim and myself (dammodammo) were there representing the IgersbirminghamUK team!

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
The crown of the Octagon.
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
The view of the sunset over Edgbaston Reservoir.
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Capturing the sunset.

Sunset was upon us and we gathered to pay homage to the setting of the sun.  I was reminded of the Bowie song “Memory of a Free Festival” and the lyrics of the song resonated with me. “The sun machine is going down and we are going to have a party”.  This time there was no music just the quiet clicking of camera shutters.  However, the fun wasn’t finished.   The lights of the city came on and car headlights lights started streaking down the streets like small silver dots.  Suddenly you could see into the illuminated offices hidden during the day by reflective glass. Trams and buses were gracefully moving along the streets.  Particular views that I enjoyed included Moor Street station and the Birmingham canal navigations.  

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
The view from the Octagon

Needless to say we all took so many pictures that saturation point was quickly reached and then the time came to descend back down the hoist and catch the train home.  In my excitement, I forgot to get a picture of the moonrise but luckily many other photographers filled that void and I was able to see their views of the moon. One photographer Pete Davies was at Edgbaston reservoir and he captured the moonrise next to the Octagon. You can just make out the photographers on the top.

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Tram passing through Victoria Square.
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Cars on the Expressway.

We were discussing the visit and how  spectacular the tower construction was on the train home.  One of the Octagon project leaders was on the same train home and he gave us a fascinating insight into how the structure had been built and what was involved in its construction.  Our conversation took in previous buildings such as the Cube and what was in store for Birmingham in the future.  This was a really enjoyable evening and I knew that there was still the morning sunrise to look forward to.  However the weather forecast didn’t look too promising but then again we wait and see.

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Final look at the sunset glow on our way home.

The sunrise shift.

Getting up at 4:00am was not easy but once I got moving, I was wide awake.  After a quick breakfast and walking the dog, I drove into Birmingham and parked up in Brindley Place. Birmingham City Centre was very quiet with only a few people moving around. I walked briskly through Centenary square, past the library, into Chamberlain place and on to the Octagon for the morning session. There were far fewer photographers gathered at the base of the building.  Getting up early appears to be a much more difficult activity for a photographer than the evening sunset.   The weather was dull and the golden glow of yesterday evening was quickly forgotten as we checked in and made our way to the “hoist”.  Soon we were back travelling on the outside of the building. This was now familiar territory and recording the journey up was much easier the second time around. 

Going up the Octogen

 When we arrived at the crown, the first thing I noticed was the wind and the cold.  Night had not loosened its grip of the new day and the bright city lights were still shining.  I got out my camera and started taking pictures. There were some opportunities to take some long exposures of the rush hour traffic that was starting to stream into the City.    Reviewing other people’s photographs, I realized that I had missed some buildings and I made sure that I got St. Paul’s church and the Big Pen in the Jewellery Quarter.  There were a few other places that I had forgotten all about from last night and this was the most exciting part of the visit, taking new views of the city. 

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
The rush hour into the City along Suffolk Street Queensway.
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
A Bus moving down Broad street.
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Centenary Square
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Cambrian Wharf.
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
St Paul’s Church
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
The Big Pen and the JQ in the early morning mist.
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
The mist rolls in.

Slowly the dawn crept forward and banished the dark of the night.  The wind seemed to be increasing and I was glad that I had my jumper with me to add to the layers of clothers that I was wearing.  A mist started rolling in and unsurprisingly, there was no sunrise but I knew the sun was out there somewhere.  With my remaining time, I started looking for unusual shots around the building.   BBC West Midlands radio were present, interviewing people who were getting ready for the topping out ceremony that was taking place later that day.   

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Interviews for BBC West Midlands Radio.

This visit was a quieter affair.  Mindfulness is a wonderful feeling and I stood taking in the view which was much more rewarding than just wanting to use my camera.  I had taken all the pictures that I needed and went back down the hoist for the final time.  There was a touch of sadness as I had really enjoyed my two visits to the top of the Octagon.   This 49 floor skyscraper is ready for future residential living and the plan is to rent out the apartments.   The building will soon be completed and then the army of construction workers will move on to the next tall building.  Birmingham is an exciting place and is changing all the time.  I hope to go up the next building that gets finished, but in the meantime, I left with good thoughts as I wandered back through the city to my car.  There were more workers out and about getting ready for the day,   I had already completed a day on top of the Octagon and now I was getting ready for a second day.  I looked forward to getting my pictures together and telling people how much I had enjoyed my visit to the Octagon.

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Bolt and Bokeh
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Hoist Call
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Hook and crane

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to all at the Octagon who allowed these amazing visits to take place.  I do hope you enjoyed reading about my visit to the Octagon.  Thank you to Paradise Birmingham and Core-Marketing for the opportunity.

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Sunset memories.

I have given a link to some of my other visits to skyscrapers and hope you continue to read my photographic journey.

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