Snowfall at first light, Knowle, Solihull

Snowfall at first light is an uplifting sight.  The cold weather is welcome and the snow creates idyllic winter scenes.  The long range weather forecast was predicting snow and the BBC weather watchers were getting very excited.  On the night when the snow fell, pictures were flooding my social media feed as people ventured out to see the first flakes.  I did not get drawn into going out as for me too cold!  I would wait for the first light of the morning.  

Snowfall at first light, Knowle, Solihull
The classic view of Knowle High Street in the Snow

Walking through the park and already there were several snowmen.  My goal was to get to the village highstreet and take what is for me the classic view up towards the shops.  I used both iPhone and my Canon cameras to take the picture.  The iPhone picture was uploaded immediately to the BBC weather watchers page.  

Snowfall at first light, Knowle, Solihull
Looks a touch cold for Bikinis.

My next goal was the red pillar box and telephone box.  The bright red contrasts well with the white snow and I spent several minutes photographing them.  I went onto take pictures of Knowle Parish Church which dates to 1400 and always looks wonderful when snow has fallen.  The Grand Union canal passes by Knowle and the large flight of locks was built to negotiate the hill.  Knowle is an old English word for hill.  The landscape around the locks was enhanced by the beginning of a sunset.  The colours were short lived and when present lifted the landscape.  

Snowfall at first light, Knowle, Solihull
Knowle Church and the Guild House in the Snow.
Snowfall at first light, Knowle, Solihull
Knowle Village sign with the church and Guild house in the background.
Snowfall at first light, Knowle, Solihull
Knowle locks in the snow
Snowfall at first light, Knowle, Solihull
Snowman in Knowle Park

The cold weather was now taking its toll and I headed home for a hot cup of coffee.  On the way back I found out from friends that my picture of Knowle High Street had been shown by Matt on Breakfast TV.  This news made my trip worthwhile.

Snowfall at first light, Knowle, Solihull
My snowfall picture of Knowle on BBC Breakfast time.

Previous links to snowfall in my blog.

Lights in Floodgate street Digbeth

Back on a cold Wednesday morning in late January 2020, I decided to visit Floodgate Street before starting work in the City centre.  I took the early train into Birmingham Moor Street and then hopped onto a bus to take me down to Digbeth.  I was particularly keen to photograph Floodgate Street and the lights that criss cross above the street.  They always look so pretty from the train as you make your way into the station.  The lights stay on during the night and are turned off when the sun rises.  Wasting little time, I made my way down the street.  I had some form of photograph in my mind and I knew I wanted it to show the splendour of the lights which give Floodgate St a magical look.  It had been raining the night before and there were puddles yes lots of puddles around.  It could only mean one thing there may be the opportunity of a reflection photograph!  As I got towards the end of Floodgate street, I saw the puddle I needed but I would have to bend down low.  Ewen a friend and a professional photographer had drilled into me that getting down low provides impact to a picture.  Even though I had my ‘grown up’ camera I reached for my iPhone and dipped it into the puddle.  I could see a couple in the distance and they must have thought I was mad bending down for the picture.  When I looked at the picture I was pleasantly surprised and posted it on Instagram.  It was well received with over 100 views which for me is a lot but it was also the start of an Instagram recognition and since that photograph I have received a lot more attention. 

So the reason for posting this blog?  I went into the “Love Birmingham Charity” competition.  It is a great charity and does so much good work.  I made my donations and entered several photos including this one.  I was pleased to learn that it has been selected as a winner and will be featured in a charity calendar by the charity.  So that is the story and on reflection, there has been so much that has happened in the world since the picture was taken.  It is my memory of what the world was like pre-Covid19.

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