Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025

Halifax, Nova Scotia is a city alive with creativity. During my visit for an ultrasonics symposium, I discovered just how vibrant and artistic the city is especially when it comes to street art. Between conference sessions, I made time to explore. Dr Andrew Mathieson is on the board of UIA and also lives in Dartmouth.  Andrew kindly shared recommendations of the city with the conference delegates. When I mentioned my love for street art, he immediately suggested I visit Quinpool Road.  This is a student-friendly area just behind the Halifax Citadel.

On the last day of the conference, the sessions wrapped up early, giving me a free afternoon. The sun was shining as I set off on foot, making my way through the lively Dalhousie University campus. Students filled the walkways and the place was buzzing with energy.

Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Quinpool Road and a tantalising glimpse of a mural.

Arriving at the head of Quinpool Road, I was disappointed. There were one or two artistic pieces here and there, but not the mural-rich environment I had been told about. I passed by Dilly Dally Coffee Shop, still searching.  Behind the cafe at the intersection of Quinpool and Vernon, I found beautifully crafted lettering by mural artist Kristen De Palma (@kdpletters | kdpletters.com). Her work stands out in an otherwise hidden spot.

Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Colourful Typography by by mural artist Kristen De Palma.

I was still looking for more murals and asked a local resident for guidance. They gave me a valuable tip: “Look around — check the alleyways and look behind buildings.”

The first large mural I encountered was on the Recreation Nova Scotia building.  This was a striking blue mural of local fishing boats by Dom Laporte. From that moment on I began to notice murals everywhere.

Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
A blue harbour scene mural by Dom Laporte

Across the street stood the old cinema building which is now home to a climbing gym and a brewery. On the wall there was a quote from The Wizard of Oz, commemorating one of the final films screened there in 2017. This nostalgic piece was painted by @alexjfowkes.

Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Tribute to the Wizard of Oz.

One of my personal favourites was tucked away in a car park just off the main road. Titled Cattails and Pansies, the mural by Montreal-based artist Bosny (@bosny.jpg) pulled me into its intricate details. His artistic approach invites viewers to slow down and look more closely at the style of the artwork.

Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Cattails and Pansies, by the artist Bosny 

As I walked towards the more residential end of Quinpool Road, I came across a dominant mural on the wall of Pro Skates across from Oddfellows Barbershop. Created by Jeks One (@jeks_nc) the mural honours the late John Dunsworth, best known for playing Jim Lahey on the cult Canadian series Trailer Park Boys, which is set in the fictional Sunnyvale Trailer Park in nearby Dartmouth.  Although I am not familiar with the show, I appreciated the care and character captured in this tribute.

Cattails and Pansies, the mural by Montreal-based artist Bosny 
Trailer Park Boys

On the return walk, I found more murals, including a wonderfully detailed wall painting outside Busan Korean BBQ. Created by local artist Dan Burt, it is a vibrant homage to Quinpool Road’s history.  The artwork is full of local references, stories, and even a bus seemingly rising from the pavement.

Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Seen outside on the wall of the Busan Korean BBQ
Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
A street scene with a real bus!

Other pieces had no listed artist but were just as memorable. Even the electrical power boxes had been transformed and were painted with bright, creative designs. 

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Other examples of street art along Quinpool Road.

Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Love Evolves
Quinpool Road Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Colours on the old Cinema.

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Quinpool Road is a lively area with restaurants and shops. The people who live and work there seem to accept that their everyday lives are part of the artwork, making it an ideal place for street photography.  This student road is just one example of street murals in Halifax .

More examples of street art around Halifax – seen outside Pier 22, where the cruise ships arrive.

Pier 22, Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Reflections in the rain
Pier 22, Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Puffins and Deck Chairs
Pier 22, Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Lighthouse on the pier.

Halifax harbour waterfront.

Pier 22, Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Surfing the Wave
Halifax waterfront, Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
An Eagle mural by Warrior
Halifax waterfront, Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Sunrise on the pier

Street Murals on Burlington Street walking Northwards

Burlington Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Colourful walls
Burlington Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Piano players
Burlington Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Rainbow shaking hands
Burlington Street murals, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 2025
Mural depicting the people of Halifax

From large-scale murals to hidden gems, Halifax is a city full of colour, character, and creativity. If you are an enthusiast for street art and love to photograph such murals then Halifax offers many opportunities. Quinpool Road stands out but there are many other places where colourful art greets you.  I did enjoy walking along the streets of Halifax looking out for examples of murals on buildings. 

Much of the background information I gathered came from the Discover Halifax website which is an excellent resource for anyone keen to explore the city’s artistic side. I have not been able to list all the artists and for this I apologise. Please let me know and I will add your name to the list.

Further blog reading

I do enjoy taking pictures of street art along with the street photography that goes along with it. Two of my blogs will lead you into more UK based street art. Please feel free to browse through the articles.

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.

Blossom, Oozell's Square, March, 2025

Every year, Blue Square blossoms into a wonderland. The cherry trees wake up from the long winter months, and the blossoms that appear are captivating, making the square look beautiful. The trees are arranged in front of the Icon Gallery, where the warm brick contrasts with the soft cream colour of the blossoms.

Blossom, Oozell's Square, March, 2025
People flock to the square to take pictures of the blossom.

Many people converge on the square, with celebrations ranging from Eastern European dance performances to Asian cultural gatherings. The arrival of the blossoms draws in people from all over Birmingham. Capturing a unique picture of the square has now become a challenge, as so many photographers have documented it over the years—some even choose to stay away, feeling they have seen it all.

Blossom, Oozell's Square, March, 2025
The view from the IKON and the bench under the blossom.

However, I still enjoy visiting the square and taking pictures whenever I have the opportunity. These are the results of my yearly visits since the start of my blog, and it is fascinating to compare the images over time.

Blossom, Oozell's Square, March, 2025
The IKON gallery with reflections in the nearby restaurant windows.

This is an account of last year’s blossoms in the square.

Birmingham Light Festival, February, 2025

The Birmingham Light Festival has brightened up the city as look to the end of winter. Light festivals have been held previously, and this year, the company Opus supplied 11 imaginative light installations. Although many other activities were taking place, the BBC was planning a feature on the lights.   I tagged along with John Bray, and we systematically tracked down most of the installations.  It was also an opportunity to try out my night lens filter for my Fujifilm X100vi which was a present by my daughters. I was eager to try it out.

‘The Roof of Stars’ lights up Thorp Street, and transforms the area around Birmingham Hippodrome’s Stage Door.  It was fun trying to capture both the cars and the reflections of the stars. Near to the main entrance of the Hippodrome, there is a peace poem – the words are very much needed at present. 

Birmingham Light Festival, February, 2025
The Roof of Stars
Birmingham Light Festival, February, 2025
Peace Poem

‘The Light Door’ at New Street Station was very bright.  There were also many people around and catching either a clear shot or getting one where they were interacting with the light was not straight forward.  I soon realised that taking pictures of these light installations was going to be tricky due to their placement and the challenge of capturing the atmosphere of people interacting with the displays.

Birmingham Light Festival, February, 2025
The light door

The Mailbox featured a fruit machine installation, “Positive spin”. My Fujifilm did not have the wide angle view and I should have reached for my iPhone for a wide angled view. As we walked towards Gas Street Basin and Centenary Square, we spotted a light boat passing by on its way to the Mailbox, allowing us to capture the scene at just the right moment. There were volunteers from the Canal and River Trust who had been involved with the lights on the narrow boat.

Birmingham Light Festival, February, 2025
Positive Spin
Birmingham Light Festival, February, 2025
The narrowboat of light arrives at the Mailbox

Centenary Square had two installations: “Dance on Lava” Floor is LAVA x Silent Disco and “Night Badminton.”  People were having fun especially on the dance floor.  The badminton installation had a purple shuttlecock which was difficult to follow against the city lights and the dark night sky.  The people playing the game did not seem to mind.

Birmingham Light Festival, February, 2025
Dance Floor is Lava
Birmingham Light Festival, February, 2025
Night Badmington

I was not disappointed with the last three installations we visited. The first was “Ideas happen here” in Newhall Square, where the fountains and water reflections provided plenty of opportunities for great pictures. Saint Paul’s Square had a bioluminescent fungus display in lights, offering numerous leading lines and a quieter setting that made it easier to capture images. The final installation was “Flux” in Snow Hill Square. Fortunately, I found a display board where I could rest my camera, allowing me to take a long exposure shot of the bars of light as they whirled around.

Birmingham Light Festival, February, 2025
Ideas happen here.
Birmingham Light Festival, February, 2025
Mycelium network
Birmingham Light Festival, February, 2025
Flux

The one I missed was Alright Bab but as this is a legacy installation, I have time on my side to take pictures of it.  I returned on the Monday and took pictures of this iconic phrase.

Birmingham Light Festival, February, 2025
Alright Bab.

Tracking down the light installations made for an super night of photography. I was pleased with how my lens filter performed, as it cut down on light pollution and allowed for very small apertures, resulting in some nice starbursts. Winter is almost over, and spring is just around the corner, but I always enjoy these light installations.

Here are my blog entries from previous light festivals in Birmingham to enjoy.

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!

Top 4 images of 2024

Time to review my best pictures of 2024. The latter part of my photographic year was devoted to the Stirchley Observation Project. This course, organised by the PRISM Photographic Network, ran over 12 weekends from September to November. A final exhibition featuring many of my photographs will take place in 2025. This documentary course, led by Oksana Bischin, changed many of my perspectives on photography. With valuable feedback from fellow participants, it led to a deeper appreciation for the art of taking pictures. Two of my top four photographs are from my time on the course.

Streetphotography, Stirchley, December, Top4, 2024
Red Hair, Green diamond.

The first of my top four, and my favourite, is titled Golden Hair with Green Diamonds. This picture was taken in Stirchley, on the footpath behind the Birmingham Brewing Company. When I first reviewed the image, I wasn’t happy with it, as the person was out of focus. However, I did appreciate the vivid colours, which gave the composition a lovely vibe. I was taken aback by the positive comments I received. People mentioned the timing, the texture in the wall, and the shadow cast by the railing. Yet, it’s the woman reading the book that adds so much more interest to the picture.

Stirchley, Birmingham, Top 4, December, 2024
The distant skyscrapers contrast with the housing and bus in the foreground.

Birmingham is undergoing a construction boom, with many high-rise skyscrapers being built. I took this picture on the canal bridge over the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, which forms the western border of Stirchley. Using my 400mm zoom lens, I aimed to capture the contrast between the older houses on Pershore Road and the shining new residential towers in the city centre. Just as I took the shot, the number 11 bus passed over the bridge, and there was a person at the front of the bus, looking out at the scene. This picture was well-received on the BBC Birmingham social media pages and made the BBC news website.

Selfridges, Birmingham, Top 4, December, 2024
Reflections around Selfridges bring out the sunrise.

Selfridges is an iconic building that always offers photographic opportunities. This picture was taken on a morning in early December. The sunrise brought a few colourful clouds, and the rain from the previous night had left several puddles, creating the perfect chance to capture a puddle reflection—my trademark style of photography. I was initially concerned that the partially constructed building in the background would spoil the shot. However, I needn’t have worried, as all the elements of the composition came together beautifully. The colourful clouds seem to flow across Selfridges, adding a dynamic element to the image.

Poppy field, Kinver, Top 4, December, 2024
Early morning light on a poppy field in Kinver, Staffordshire.

My final picture is of a poppy field near Kinver Edge. I remember the morning well. After getting up early, I headed to Kinver and arrived at the field, where I found a fence surrounding the poppies, making it tricky to find a good composition. Another photographer was also there, searching for a good vantage point. I decided to stay put and wait for the sunrise. The morning was cool, which provided a clear, distinctive light. I pointed my 400mm zoom lens through the fence and used a wide-open aperture. The images looked good on the small LCD screen of my Canon 5D Mark IV, so I took several more shots. Then, I realised the sun was about to appear on the crest of the hill overlooking the poppies. My next set of pictures worked well, but when I got home to review my images, this one stood out. The cool light had created a magical scene, with the wildflowers set against a background dotted with the red of the poppies.

Top 9 Instagram 2024
My top 9 on Instagram.

These are my top 9 photographs from Instagram. Instead of paying for a program to identify them, I worked through the year to find out which ones received the most likes. The most popular photos are the selfies of me, either with Mason, my new grandson, or with Sandy. The northern lights were amazing and appeared right over my house. The poppy fields also made an appearance, as did pictures of the Birmingham cityscape, which are always popular.

The archives rule and please compare my 2024 selection with 2023 and 2022.

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.

Early in Digbeth, Birmingham, October 2024

The winter months are an ideal time to photograph Digbeth. The lights that criss-cross the main streets are a feature of the area and are turned off around 8am.  Just before this happens, the white lights stand out against the “blue hour” sky.  At this time of the day, the colourful streets are enriched by the light of the dawn.  The next ingredient for a good photograph in Digbeth is when rainfall has happened in the previous few days.  Digbeth has several large puddles which provide ideal opportunities for reflections.  Over the years, I have learnt where these puddles are likely to occur.

Early in Digbeth, Birmingham, October 2024
Floodgate street in the blue hour.
Early in Digbeth, Birmingham, October 2024
Fancy a game?
Early in Digbeth, Birmingham, October 2024
Classic puddle photography in Gibb Street.
Early in Digbeth, Birmingham, October 2024
More classic views of Gibb Street.
Early in Digbeth, Birmingham, October 2024
Green lights

My urban photography is done with wither my iPhone or Fujifilm x100vi. The pictures in this blog are from both cameras and you should be able to distinguish between the two picture styles that they produce.  The iPhone gives vibrant colours whilst the Fujifilm gives a grittier feel to the pictures.  I like both effects. 

Early in Digbeth, Birmingham, October 2024
The colourful smiley by Tempo33 on Hack Street
Tempo33
More Hack Street graffiti.
Early in Digbeth, Birmingham, October 2024
This art by Golden Boy is still there on Hack Street.

Arriving in Digbeth, I plan to walk around the following streets, Lower Trinity, Gibb and Floodgate.  I do visit other streets that lead off from the crucial three  as these pictures show.  The street art in Digbeth constantly changes.  Newer pieces appear, older artwork gets tagged whilst some of the murals remain untouched.  When photographing in Digbeth, I try to capture the interactions of the locals with the street activities.  There are a few people moving around on their way to work at the Custard Factory or the industry units around the area.  Pre pandemic the area was very busy but post pandemic people are working from home so the footfall is less.  However I am still able to capture people on the street.  I am building up a large portfolio of images from Digbeth although I am not alone and many other photographers pitch up on the streets.  The area still retains its charms and I see the slow but persistent march of gentrification which is changing the Digbeth scene. I hope the area still retains the charm that makes Digbeth a place to visit in Birmingham.

Early in Digbeth, Birmingham, October 2024
Your friendly neighbourhood……
Early in Digbeth, Birmingham, October 2024
Follow the leader.
Early in Digbeth, Birmingham, October 2024
Seen on Adderley Street (part 1)
Early in Digbeth, Birmingham, October 2024
Seen on Adderley Street (part 2)
Early in Digbeth, Birmingham, October 2024
Easy Rider on Upper Trinity Street.
Early in Digbeth, Birmingham, October 2024
Trainvaders, Lower Trinity Street
Early in Digbeth, Birmingham, October 2024
Made in Digbeth, Lower Trinity Street

Technique used for my puddle photography

The iPhone is ideal for this style of reflective photography.  The lenses can be placed close to the surface of the puddle to provide a perfect reflection.  The technique I employ, once I have located an ideal puddle, is to orientate the phone in landscape with the 3 lenses placed to the bottom right for the picture.  The iPhone has no flip out screen so bending down is necessary which may be difficult when you are standing in a large puddle.  I generally use the standard view or the wide angled setting.  Care is needed not to place the iPhone lenes so low that they touch the water.  The focus may start jumping to the nearest point in the puddle which will leads to blurring of the background.  Looking at the screen is difficult, so some guesswork of where you are focussing and handling the phone is necessary.  I must keep remembering to toggle the RAW setting although the resulting pictures on standard Live View are of sufficient quality to withstand the post editing.  

Early in Digbeth, Birmingham, October 2024
Sticker wall still going strong.
Early in Digbeth, Birmingham, October 2024
More views of Floodgate Street with only a few cars around.

If you want more views of Digbeth then follow my links through the blog posts below.

This blog is from August 2018 and shows a few changes that have taken place.
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