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.
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.
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.
Knowle Church and the Guild House in the Snow.Knowle Village sign with the church and Guild house in the background.Knowle locks in the snowSnowman 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.
My snowfall picture of Knowle on BBC Breakfast time.
Marcin SZ has been leading Birmingham photowalks since 2020. An accomplished photographer, he shares his work on Instagram under Birmingham_Photography, capturing the city during the golden and blue hours in vibrant colour and bold black and white.
Marcin our host for the Birmingham photowalk
As part of my New Year’s resolution to explore new photographic opportunities, I joined one of Marcin’s photowalks. We met outside the Library of Birmingham, where a small group of photographers gathered before heading out to explore the city.
Dancers gather outside the windows of the Library to practice their routines. This causes bemusement to people passing by.A street cleaner creates a striking silhouette in the light.The brand new Octagon building towers over the former four-star Copthorne Hotel now scheduled for demolition.
Despite the cold winter weather, Centenary Square was full of activity. The low afternoon sun reflected off the Library’s glass façade, creating long shadows and strong contrast—ideal conditions for street photography in Birmingham.
Whilst the walkways between buildings are wide, they are made to look narrow by the height of the buildings.Two figures move along the walkway between buildings.The Town Hall is partly revealed by the available light.Major Birmingham landmarks take their turn in catching the light.
Our Birmingham photowalk took us through Chamberlain Square and past the Town Hall, where Marcin encouraged us to look for architectural details and light patterns often overlooked. Hill Street, bathed in winter light, offered compositions reminiscent of New York. Along the way, spontaneous moments appeared, including a group of cyclists performing wheelies near Brunel Street.
Hill street has those New York vibes about it especially with the low level sun.This picture is to remind me that sometimes the best pictures arise when you least expect them.This cyclist was performing a wheelie on his bicycle as he ride down Brunel Street.
We continued towards the Mailbox and the Cube, where intense horizontal light produced striking graphic shadows. After photographing the frozen waters of Gas Street Basin, Marcin invited us to his studio on the 10th floor of Quayside Tower. From there, we enjoyed panoramic views across Birmingham as the setting sun filled the sky with warm tones and soft pink clouds.
Overlooking the towpath from the Cube bridge. Long shadows in the setting sun start to look atmospheric.The surface of the water in Gas Street Basin has frozen leaving consumer debris on the ice.Golden hour over the City generates vibrant colours.
Birmingham Photowalk reflections
I highly recommend joining such a Birminghamphotowalk with Marcin SZ. He is genuinely passionate about photography and has a natural ability to guide people towards compelling scenes. The atmosphere is relaxed, welcoming, and suitable for all experience levels. It was a memorable afternoon, made even better by beautiful winter light and inspiring company.
If you enjoyed this account of a Birmingham photowalk then here are some links to previous walks done in Manchester and London.
Every year, the Birmingham Christmas markets take over the city centre. Visitors come to enjoy festive food, warming drinks, and the lively atmosphere created by the stalls. While prices can be high, knowing what to expect makes the experience enjoyable, although deep pockets do help.
The classic decorations along Birmingham New Street.there are many stalls selling Christmas gifts.Buying that expensive food and drink. Prices on display.Walking along New Street.I captured the conductor on the tram. who seems to be singing a Black Sabbath song for Christmas.
Cathedral Square and Colmore Row
The Cathedral Market is my preferred part of the Birmingham Christmas markets. It is better organised than along New Street and uses the footpaths around St Philip’s Cathedral, which makes it easier to walk around. The food stalls here are linked to the Colmore Row business district, giving this area a calmer and more relaxed feel. This year, Asha’s has a stall in the square, and the food is excellent. Another popular stop is the pop-up pub Pigeon in the Park, which is always busy and adds to the festive spirit.
I visited Cathedral Square during the day and sampled some fine street food.
Lights, Rides, and Winter Attractions
As the nights grow darker, the Christmas lights across the city shine even brighter. They look especially impressive around Victoria Square and Chamberlain Square, where the decorations draw large crowds.
Victoria Square looking festive.Ho, Ho, Ho!Lots of Choice to be had.
Over in Centenary Square, the big wheel dominates the skyline. Nearby, the Magic Mouse rollercoaster is entertaining to watch, although riding it may not be for everyone. The illuminate ride makes a great subject for photographs. The ice-skating rink is also packed most evenings, proving how popular these winter attractions are.
The big wheel.Mesmorising colours on the Wild Mouse rollercoaster.
Why the Birmingham Christmas Markets Still Work
Every year, I take time to wander around the Birmingham Christmas markets and the city itself, and I never tire of it. Although I often hear critical comments about Christmas in Birmingham, the crowds tell a different story. People clearly enjoy the atmosphere and the chance to celebrate the season together.
Below are a few photos of the markets and decorations. They are very different from the lights of London and show that Birmingham does Christmas in its own distinctive way.
Waiting for the punters.
Links
More Christmas links with London. There is also a blog describing the Birmingham market in 2023.
There is one certainty in Birmingham: Digbeth always changes. For anyone interested in Digbeth photography, this makes the area endlessly fascinating. New buildings appear, artwork evolves, and the streets never look the same from one visit to the next.
New Buildings Transforming Digbeth
One of the most noticeable recent developments is the new block of flats being built opposite the Custard Factory. The building stands on the former site of the old Peugeot Garage and Irish Centre. From a photography point of view, this construction is already changing sightlines and creating new contrasts between old and new Digbeth. We wait and see if these contrasts are really beneficial to the area.
Cranes overlook Digbeth
As more people live closer to the city centre, Digbeth continues to evolve into a place where work, culture, and residential life sit side by side.
Digbeth adds extra colour to where we live. @MrPenfold
Street Art Through a Photographer’s Lens
For Digbeth photography, the street art is a major draw. New shops and restaurants continue to open, while the artwork on the walls constantly changes. Because there are only a limited number of spaces, older murals are often painted over to make way for new designs. Some murals stay the same.
Fresh graffiti now sits alongside long-standing pieces. In some areas, heavy tagging covers earlier murals in a more random style. Even so, bold colours and striking shapes continue to dominate, making Digbeth a living canvas for urban photography.
Love this artwork from @miscfitFigure in the Archway.Arch reflections (artists unknown)
Photographing a Changing District
This post is a roundup of some of the new scenes and artwork I’ve photographed recently. Wherever possible, I’ve credited the artists. If any credits are missing, please leave a comment and I’ll update the post.
The yellow door (artwork @phithblake and @Fum.ArmadaBike lineup (artist unknown)Blue mural on the walls of the Red Brick Market (artist unknown)
I’ll be back in the new year to focus once again on Digbeth photography during the blue hour, which is one of my favourite times to capture the light and shadows in this changing part of Birmingham. One thing remains true — Digbeth always changes.
Walking through London at Christmas is always a blend of wonder and chaos. Lights spill across every street, crowds move in every direction, and here and there you stumble upon small pockets of calm. I spent a couple of hours wandering with my camera, capturing the city’s festive energy.
Winnie the Pooh and Piglet complete finding the North Pole in Selfridges.
My companion for the evening was Peter Thompson, and we set off from Selfridges to explore the brightest spots. New Bond Street was dazzling with its high-end storefronts lit up with elaborate displays. The place was crowded, and the cars parked along the street looked like they were auditioning for a Monster Trucks spin-off. They were huge 4x4s in loud, flashy colours, with a generous scattering of BMWs and Mercedes squeezed in wherever they would fit. Amid all this noise, DPD vans were doing their rounds, delivering parcels to the shops. The upside? All those polished metal surfaces made for brilliant reflections of the lights around them.
The Christian Dior shop window.Reflections of lights from the cars.
Other iconic landmarks such as Fortnum & Masons and the Burlington Arcade did not disappoint although the latter was very crowded. Piccadilly Circus had its usual hypnotic mix of colour and motion. From there we wandered into Chinatown, where the crowds thickened and the restaurants buzzed with activity. Leicester Square had been transformed into an ice rink, cheekily named “William Skatespeare”,
Fortnum & Mason sported red lights and the year 2025. The December full moon shines above.The doorman looking very smart at the entrance to the Burlington arcade.The bright lights of Piccadilly Circus.Lots of lovely aromas of cooking in Chinatown.Skating in Leicester Square. “Skatespeare”The Angels of Regent Street.
Before we looped back to Regent Street, I walked along the central reservation toward Oxford Circus. Soon I found myself standing on the central reservation, tourists pressing in from all sides, traffic sliding by just inches away. I took the final shot of Oxford Circus with my X100VI, and its internal stabilisation proved impressive, letting me capture the night scene handheld. There’s something satisfying about the slice of nightlife frozen in that frame. Then it was time to mingle with the crowds and head home after an enjoyable evening.
Crowds entering into the Oxford Circus Tube station.
If you enjoyed this description of the lights then feel free to visit my blog on last year’s lights.
Why am I so fascinated with Spaghetti Junction? Perhaps it’s the way the urban landscape blends nature with man-made geometry, or the history embedded within the structure. In an alternative life, I imagine myself travelling the motorway system, passing along the M6 and then indicating to join the Aston Expressway into Birmingham. Yet during such journeys in the car, I rarely think about what lies beneath these roads.
The look of an unfinished cathedral within Salford Circus.Movement in the underpass.
Under the concrete pillars that support the motorway network, the space resembles an incomplete cathedral, a place to worship the industry of construction workers, accompanied by the hymns of thundering traffic overhead. Cars and lorries make their presence known through constant noise and vibration. In contrast, the quiet canal network predates the junction. Around the concrete pillars, flows the River Tame and the still waters of Salford Reservoir reflect the motorway traffic. A train line also cuts through the area, all converging at what we know as Spaghetti Junction, or more formally the Gravelly Hill Interchange. The regimented concrete pillars and the patterns created by the elevated roads provide endless photographic opportunities. Inspiration is everywhere.
Waiting for the World Cup draw. So that is where the channel changer is.Careful where you tred.Cycling along the arches.Watch out for the cyclists as they speed along the towpaths.
Back in July, I visited Spaghetti Junction with a group of photographers. One of the highlights of any trip beneath the M6 is the artwork of Bill Drummond. Formerly of the KLF and now a recognised artist, Drummond has been regularly posting his work on a particular wall near the heart of the junction. I was surprised to find the artwork wall completely white. In the photo I took, one of the few pedestrians we encountered beneath Spaghetti Junction walks past the empty space. Although I was disappointed not to capture any of Drummond’s artwork, I’m intrigued to see what reappears here in the coming weeks.
Surveying a white wall at the iconic graffiti site under the M6.
This Spaghetti visit started with a request from a fellow photographer Nicky who knew a photographer friend who had never been to the area before. I agreed to be involved in planning such a walk and enjoyed visiting the place again. John Waine was the visiting photographer and his work is outstanding. Follow the link to see more of his work. If anyone who reads this blog and wishes to visit what lies beneath the motorway then please contact me. Depending on timing and commitments, I will be happy to show them around.
Construction workers on a break.Abandoned trailer.Best seat in the Junction.This has to be posted as it is one of the classic views of the walk along the canal underneath the Junction.
Finally here is an account my last visit under the Interchange and the blog includes links of previous visits.
I had been feeling a little jaded and in need of some new inspiration for my photography. To spark a fresh way of seeing, I decided to give myself a challenge: to photograph the Library of Birmingham without showing any books. It sounded simple, but it pushed me to look at the building differently and find views that have not already been captured a thousand times.
Looking up at the patterns in the skylights.
The Library of Birmingham never fails to surprise me. Its striking architecture, spacious interiors, futuristic escalators and sweeping balconies all have a story to tell. Although it is, of course, a library filled with books, I wanted to focus on its atmosphere and design rather than what sits on the shelves.
The sharp angles against the cloud filled sky.
Autumn had arrived and the leaves on the trees were a deep contrasting red colour. The outside gardens are a peaceful place to visit. Visitors to the library enjoy finding quiet spots to reflect and relax from the busy City below.
The colours of Autumn against the backdrop of the library.Finding a quiet place to reflect and take time out.
For this project, I used three cameras: my Canon 5D Mark IV, my Fujifilm X100VI, and my iPhone. Each one encouraged a different way of seeing. The Canon, with its wide-angle lens, delivered crisp and detailed shots. The Fujifilm, which has a fixed 50 mm lens, performed beautifully in the softer light but required a slower, more considered approach. The iPhone proved surprisingly powerful when capturing reflections, as its lens can be placed right up against a surface to create playful and unexpected effects.
A place to meet and look out over the square below.
This collection of photographs shares what I discovered on that visit. It is my attempt to show the Library of Birmingham from a new angle and to remind myself that inspiration often appears when you look at familiar places in unfamiliar ways.
An example of the futuristic design of the interior.A reflective window to the outside world.Colour contrasts on the balcony.
This is not the first time that I have photographed the library and you may well enjoy this earlier account. Be warned a few library books creep into the pictures.
I travelled to Worcester in search of streets with burst of colour, even though the weather forecast looked less than promising. Accompanied by my daughter and grandson, we set off to explore the city’s urban art scene during the Worcester Paint Festival. From hidden alleyways to large murals, Worcester proved to be a colourful place, full of surprises for anyone who loves street art and photography.
Careful of paint splashes.
Our first stop was the CrownGate Shopping Centre, which served as the temporary headquarters for the festival. Friendly faces greeted us. We chatted about the Paint Festival and where to see the artwork. Printed maps were available and proved to be excellent as they were clear, detailed, and very useful alongside the online version. A great reference source that set us up for the day.
From the shopping centre, we headed to Angel Place street market, where several art murals caught our attention. The atmosphere of the market combined with the colourful artworks made for perfect photo opportunities. I particularly enjoy capturing street art with people passing by, as it adds a human element that brings both the artwork and the photography to life.
Next, we sought out Inkie’s work at the Royal Porcelain Works. His colourful mural decorated the gate leading to the old printing works and stood out vividly against its surroundings. We then made our way back into the city centre, passing a series of murals, some finished, others still in progress. Friar Street is one of my favourite parts of Worcester, with its mix of heritage buildings and modern urban art. One mural was cordoned off while the artist was working though I managed to catch a glimpse from a stairwell.
Along the way, we discovered plenty of independent shops and more artwork. Before leaving the city centre, I climbed the stairs to the car park roof to photograph some stunning murals, their lively colours contrasting with the rows of parked cars around them.
Our next destination was the Sixways legal wall on Offerton Lane, a council-designated space for street art. Tucked beneath the A449 and running alongside the Worcester and Birmingham canal, it has become a hub of creativity. We parked at the back of Sixways Stadium, and I went on alone to explore the underpasses. Artists were hard at work on the walls of the two underpasses. The air was thick with the smell of spray paint being applied to the concrete.
Cycling pastCathedral, mural and bike.Colour co-ordinationReflections in the canal.Spray cans at the ready.Footprints.
The line-up was impressive: Worcester Writers KFO crew and guests, featuring PHE, Zeeizm, Kask, Sore, Spar, Knel, WWF (Wizards with Funk) Crew, Buser (OSK Bristol), Inkie (KTS, ASK Bristol), Such (ACT Sheffield), Rob Dise (TWC, Worcester), Merk, Hart, Frank Brough, Umix, and Arbour. I have always loved the names chosen by graffiti writers each one hinting at the personality behind the art. I am unsure who is who in my photographs at the Sixways legal wall, so please do get in touch if you can help with credits.
City limits.
This visit was just a glimpse into Worcester’s thriving urban art scene, which comes into its own during the Paint Festival. Murals and installations can be found across the city where they are tucked down small side streets, hidden in alleyways, or displayed on large walls. With every visit, there is something new to discover, making Worcester a worthwhile destination for anyone interested in street art, colour, and creativity.
If you enjoyed this then be sure to read my blogs about street art When I visited Cheltenham Spa and Halifax, Canada.
Balti Triangle, the Number 50 bus, Alcester Road, Ladypool Lane, Moseley Road Baths, and the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood. The diversity of Balsall Heath is renowned, which provides an insight into its character. The area does not stand still, with a rich history reflecting the growth and wealth of the city. Whilst Balsall Heath was initially an affluent area, over the years it has faced many difficulties with poor housing and social deprivation. The area is now undergoing a revival, and house prices are similar to those in other parts of the city. This brings its own share of challenges, as young people strive to set foot on the housing ladder.
Entering Balsall Heath on the No 50 bus as you pass over Belgrave Road.Moseley Road swimming baths.
Last year, I became involved with the PRISM photographic network, who organised a photographic project around Stirchley. The Stirchley Observation Project proved to be a very successful venture where I met and interacted with a group of talented photographers. We took pictures, we discussed them, and then we exhibited our best work. Now, a year later, we are turning our attention to Balsall Heath.
Seven streets pocket park. One of the many green spaces in Balsall Heath.One of 6 arches that pass under the railway line that runs through Balsall Heath. This one is on Runcorn Street near to Seven streets pocket park.
Before the course starts, I decided that I needed to have a brief walkabout the area to acquaint myself with the streets, the architecture, and the character of the neighbourhood. I have eaten many times in the Balti Triangle, and I have often driven down the Alcester Road towards Moseley. More recently, I have got to know the Old Print Works and attended photographic workshops there.
The street art reflects the politics of our time.Tribute to Mohammad Ali underneath the Brighton Road railway bridge.
Taking the Number 50 bus from the town centre, I got off near the Castle and Falcon pub. I love cityscapes, and my eye was drawn to the railway arches that connect the west and east wards of Balsall Heath. During the day, the area is busy as traffic moves along the Alcester Road. Students travel to and from Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College, and the coffee shops are lively. Walk along the side streets, and you immediately notice how quiet it becomes. There is still activity in these secluded area, and the nature of the urban landscape throws up countless photographic views.
The houses along Mary Road contrast with the shiny new elevated buildings in the nearby city centre.Ladypool Road seen on a quiet weekday morning.Street scenes – Workin’ at the car wash.Open all hours.The value of education.
These photographs are a small selection of my observations from my walk around Balsall Heath. I am looking forward to the forthcoming project, and you can follow my adventures on my blog.
A luxury camper underneath the bridge.The ongoing bin strike leads to piles of uncollected rubbish around Birmingham. Changing places
Balsall Heath Church CentreSt John & St Martin R C Church
.
Luxury seating is available on Alcester Road.
If you wish to learn more about our Stirchley Observation project, I wrote a short blog at the beginning and there will be more material being published from our work. I also provide an account of one of the courses on cyanotype that we undertook during the Stirchley course.
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