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.

Red post and telephone box in the snow

It snowed! Furthermore, we had several centimetres of the white stuff. I missed the beautiful sunrise as the weather front came across the region. For a time it looked like the sky was on fire and it only lasted around 10 to 15 minutes. However that was only a prelude to what was to fall from the sky. It snowed most of the morning and the decision was to plan my walk whilst it was snowing. Also getting out earlier meant that I missed the crowds in the park. The village looked beautiful in the snow and one of my favourite places to take pictures is Knowle High Street. The red letter box and the old telephone box are bright red. They make a great contrast with the white snow.

Knowle High Street in the Snow
Knowle High Street in the Snow
The high street in the snow
The high street in the snow
Knowle Church in the snow
Knowle Church in the snow
Snowman with a facemask
Snowman with a facemask

Heading up the street, there was a snowman outside the One-stop convenience shop. The shop assistant had made the snowman just outside the entrance. She was putting on a face mask for the snowman but it could not cover the carrot nose :). Knowle church looked wonderful in the snow and then it was down Kixley Lane to the canal.

Gate in the snow on Kixley Lane
Gate in the snow on Kixley Lane
Kixley Lane Canal Bridge
Kixley Lane Canal Bridge

The water was frozen and the branches of the trees were white and made for some great photography. I walked up the canal to Knowle locks to take pictures of the area. The boats were covered with snow that had blown onto their sides giving a rippled look to them. The contrast with the trees gave them an ethereal look.

Canal boat with snowy trees behind it.
Canal boat with snowy trees behind it.
Trees along the canal in the snow
Trees along the canal in the snow
Knowle locks in the snow
Knowle locks in the snow
Overlooking the canal in the snow
Overlooking the canal in the snow

I lingered around the locks for a while and then traced my steps back through the village making my way back home through the park. By now it was 12 o’clock and the place was full of snowmen and people enjoying themselves 🙂

Knowle park in the snow
Knowle park in the snow

Photographic tipFor snow I put my camera on manual and checked the exposure dial to ensure that the snow did not overwhelm the sensor. I shot the pictures in RAW so that I could play with the sliders in Lightroom and PSP. I was able to reduce the blue colour but made sure it was not to yellow either. My camera was weather proofed so that it braved the snow and water with no ill effects. A very enjoyable walk and the photographic experience of shooting in the snow was enjoyable.

Other snow links
Take a look at my last post on the Snow in Knowle back in 2017
Remember the week of the beast from 2018?

Snow Photography
Here are some tips if you are interested in learning more

Finally you can always come and Visit Knowle to see a beautiful English Village at its best.


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