Amateur Photographer magazine held its Festival of Photography at the University of Greenwich. Getting to the south bank area of London from Birmingham was a long journey, but I was pleasantly surprised by how quick and efficient London’s transport system was, with tubes and buses linking up seamlessly. I arrived an hour before the start, which gave me ample opportunity to wander around the beautiful buildings of the old Navy School.
Historic architecture of the University of Greenwich photographed at sunrise (featured by the BBC)Reflection of the sunrise at the old Navy Buildings, GreenwichA runner passes part of the historic coat of arms at the old Navy College, Greenwich.
I took several pictures as the early sun began to rise, and one was selected by BBC Weather. The conference itself was very good. During the morning session, I heard several speakers, including Ron Timehin and Amanda Akokhia, both of whom gave lively talks packed with photographic advice.
Peter Dench interviewing Ethan Parker and James Manning at the Amateur Photographer Festival of Photography, Greenwich.
One session was a discussion forum on “A Career in News and Documentary Photography.” Peter Dench interviewed Ethan Parker and James Manning, two young photographers who have quickly become established in their field. James works for PA Media, while Ethan is a recent winner of the Amateur Photographer Emerging Photographer of the Year award. The discussion covered many issues in documentary photography, and all three panellists kept the conversation engaging and insightful. All the lectures I attended were excellent and provided valuable tips on improving photography.
The Royal Greenwich Observatory towering above the town.
At lunchtime, I visited the National Maritime Museum and then had time to walk up the hill to the Royal Observatory Greenwich. The view from the summit is amazing, and I found that my iPhone zoom captured a lovely compressed image of the old Navy School against the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf. This picture is at the start of my blog and below is the panoramic view of London.
Panorama view of London from the Royal Obersvatory Greenwich
January offers many advantages when photographing Digbeth. The sunset lines up along many of the streets, including Floodgate Street. The main thoroughfares through the area have lights strung across the sides of buildings. The combination of the yellow lights and the blue-hour skies makes for a pleasing picture. My blog has photography of my visit last year.
Blue Hour in Digbeth: Winter Street Photography at Sunset
When I arrived in Digbeth, I was despondent, as there were roadworks under the railway arches and traffic light controls were in place. This was going to spoil the aesthetics of my pictures. I walked around the familiar sights along Gibb Street and Floodgate street. I took photographs of the murals and other interesting features. I like the satirical messages from Fokawolf and his posters were in the garden of the Old Crown. There is so much to see in Digbeth.
One way directions along Gibb Street.The artist Fokwolf and his poster on culture wash.
As the sunset began, there were some colours in the sky, which helped create a suitable backdrop. The light faded further, and the yellow lights above became more prominent. The blue hour was well underway, and the bright lights shone strongly overhead. I found that the roadworks had turned to my advantage. The traffic lights made the cars slow down and stop. The green, red and yellow lights added colour to the scene.
The cars go slow for the roadworks in Floodgate Street
Young people had finished at the local colleges for the day and added their silhouettes to the street scenes as they blocked the bright lights from the cars. Some of the street art appeared to come alive, as the silvers and yellows jumped out when stray light caught the paint.
Silhouettes on Floodgate Street.The long walk along Gibb Street.
There is a classic puddle that is ever-present at the end of Gibb Street. I am aware that the area has a high water table, but this may simply be a blocked drain. I enjoy seeing this puddle, as I like photographing reflections. Using the reflections, I captured several images that were different from those I had taken before. I was able to catch more of the Digbeth lights.
Blue Hour reflections in the puddles of Gibb Street.On the way home
I returned to Floodgate Street and captured the lights, people, and buildings against the blue-hour sky. Pleased with the results, I walked back towards Moor Street. On the way, I noticed the bus station fully lit and, of course, took a few photographs of the scene. As I reflected on the train, photography in Digbeth always delivers.
Waiting for the bus at the bus station.
Digbeth features a lot in my blog over the years and here are some links to get you up to speed with the area.
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.
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.
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.
IgersbirminghamUK organised a walk around Spaghetti Junction on a warm Saturday afternoon at the beginning of August. For this blog entry, I have 24 frames which is the number of a roll of film. These pictures were taken with either my iPhone or Fujifilm x100vi. The stories and sights under the motorway are always changing and always surprising. Enjoy this photo essay.
Figures
People move around the complex concrete structures. They look apologetic for their presence as the concrete really does enjoy its own company.
Figure in the subwayA walk home with the noise of cars above.
Cyclists
People move quickly on the towpath nobody wants to stay too long as they may get lost in the concrete.
Cyclist between the pillars.There is light in the dark that guides the cyclist.
Pillars
The main feature of the concrete structures is the pillars. Reaching to the sky they hold the roads in place. If the pillars disappear then there so will the roads.
Reaching for the skyThe height of the pillars dwarfs the people who dare wander next to them.The cathedral pillars of Salford circus.Gaps between the Pillars.
So easy to lose your way under the motorway.There is signage to help.Colourful signs break through the concrete monotones.A scrawled sign lets you know where you are.
Traces of humanity
There are examples that humans have passed through the area.
Real MagicBirmingham, EnglandA smashing time.Walk this way
Nature fights back
Nature is slowly eroding the concrete jungle. Trees and greenery have established themselves amongst the pillars.
Greenery lines the paths.Trees in the sunlight.Concrete vs nature standoff.
I hope you enjoyed this photo essay of my recent visits to Spaghetti Junction. If you ever have the chance to visit the area then do take up the opportunity. There are regular tours that take in Aston Reservoir and the more interesting parts of the canal network. The interchange does become very quiet at the weekends. During the week, there is construction activity focused on maintaining the pillars that are essential to holding the motorway network together. The highs and lows of a visit around the Gravelley Hill interchange are illustrated below. The highlights include the wonders of the construction and architecture. The lows are the faceless nature of the area which has areas that are not particularly inviting.
The classical view of the pillars lined up along the river Rea.Barbed wire and undistinguished areas of the Junction.
Are you wanting to read more about Spaghetti Junction then here are more of my visits about what lies beneath the M6. I recommend starting with this blog post that sets the scene for my photo essay.
The Stirchley Observation Project exhibition took place at the Old Print Works in Balsall Heath. On the last day, Francesco Falciani had arranged for a cyanotype printing workshop led by Tracey Thorne to take place. Tracey is a documentary photographer with a particular interest in the colonial links between Jamaica and Britain. Tracey’s enthusiasm for cyanotype printing shone through in her presentation. Her PowerPoint covered the history of cyanotype and highlighted the work of contemporary artists, including some fascinating examples of large-scale printing. She has woven cyanotype into her documentary practice, including her current project Intended for Jamaica, which she also spoke about.
Dried flowers ready for exposureTracey is washing the developed paper in clean water.
Francesco then took over, having prepared laser-printed acetate negatives of selected photographs from the Stirchley Observation Project for each participant. For each of us he had chosen a photo. Mine was a portrait that I had taken of Ben who worked behind the bar at the Glasshouse Brewery in Stirchley.
Francesco shows the technique with Tracey on the right looking on (Picture by Inderjit Dean)The cyanotype printing goes through several stages as shown.
Francesco explained the different types of paper we would use, all of which had been pre-coated and were ready to go. He had also brought his homemade ultraviolet light box. Each of us placed our previously prepared acetate negative onto a sheet of prepared paper, sandwiched between two clear plastic plates, clipped together temporarily with paperclips. We then exposed the image under the UV light for about 60 seconds, after which we rinsed the paper in clean tap water. Watching the deep blue tones gradually emerge was a highlight of the process.
Each of us took turns developing our picture. Here Dave and Nadia are working through the process.
Afterwards, we reviewed our prints and discussed the outcomes. Although the process seems deceptively simple at first, there is so much more involved—from preparing the digital image carefully in Photoshop, to choosing the correct exposure time, to selecting the right kind of paper. We had the chance to experiment with two paper types: a smooth cotton and a rougher variant. Paper selection merits further attention if you are to venture into cyanotype printing.
The all important chemicals that require mixing together.Group discussion on cyanotype printing.
We spent the rest of the afternoon printing and experimenting. As a workshop, it was first-class. We were lucky to benefit from Tracey’s insight into how cyanotype plays a role in her own photographic practice, and Francesco’s meticulous preparation gave us everything we needed to immerse ourselves in the technique. One of the participants, Dom, even experimented with layering his image with toy horses, which showed how creative the method can be.
The outline of toy horses added a creative aspect to the process (Dominic Piras’s Cyanotype).
Here are more examples of the work from the participants.
Cyanotype printing by Nadia MalikWork by Dave Fennel WellsWork by Inderjit Deau put into the light box.
This course was part of the Strichley Observation Project organised by the PRISM Photographic Network. The course leaders were Tracey Thorne and Francesco Falciani. The participants on the course whose work is shown in this blog are Nadia Malik, Dave Fennel Wells, Dominic Piras, Inderjit Deau and Damien Walmsley.
If you want to learn more about these projects that join the PRISM mailing list or visit Tracey Thorne’s website.
The entrance to the Darkroom facilities at the Old Print Works, Balsall Heath
The year may have started with plenty of rain, but that never stops me from hunting for reflections. I have a few favourite spots where I find good puddles, and here is a selection from the start of 2025.
Kingswood Junction after a very heavy downpour flooded the towpath.Taken with my Fujifilm x100vi of Gas Street Basin. There is smoke billowing out of one of the narrowboats.
Someone recently asked about my technique for taking such pictures. When capturing reflections, I use my iPhone, seeking out patches of water and anticipating how a reflection may appear. A key step is to get as low as possible to the puddle. This can be challenging, especially with particularly muddy puddles, like the one on Normandy Hill. One wrong step, and you could end up a muddy mess if you stumble into the water.
This reflection was taken from the surface of a very muddy puddle on Normandy Hill, Hillmorton, Rugby.
I position my phone so that the back lens is as close to the water as possible, just before autofocus engages. This creates a blurred background effect as the phone focuses on the nearest object. Since you are often crouching in muddy water while holding your phone, you must anticipate the outcome of your shot rather than seeing it perfectly in the moment. Using a larger camera—even a compact one—would be difficult in such conditions. Of course, larger cameras work well when photographing a lake beneath a mountain range, safely away from the water’s edge. However, the beauty of using a phone is its ability to capture reflections effortlessly during everyday walks. There are two pictures, in this gallery that have been taken with my Fujifilm x100v and I am still able to capture the magic of reflections.
Tow trains, one local, the other to London with the reflections framed by the footbridge.This contrast of colours of the blue hour and the warm lights is enhanced by the reflections. The picture was taken with my x100vi.
Having taken reflection photographs countless times, I now appreciate that the real skill lies in composition. It is about anticipating the possibilities that even a small puddle can offer.
Reflections at Selfridges with a blue theme. A favourite place for photographs.
I have been involved with the Stirchley Observation Project over the last few months. I have not featured my experiences of the project on my blog, as I am waiting until the course is complete. We still have a portrait session and the all-important exhibition to look forward to, so these will form part of a later post. However, with the formal teaching now nearly finished, I found myself with a free Saturday morning. The photography group suggested a visit to the MAC (Midlands Arts Centre), followed by a stroll around Cannon Hill Park. Being near to where I used to work at Pebble Mill, I know the park well, particularly the Nature Centre entrance and, of course, the MAC.
The MAC needs a lick of paint.The MAC
Three of us from the group were free, and we met for coffee early in the morning. Inderjit and Dave were already waiting and both were sporting stylish silver cameras for the photographic walkabout. The park was bustling with runners participating in the Park Run, but the area quieted down once the event finished. As we began our walk around the park, we enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.
Watching the world go by.
Cannon Hill Park offers several photographic highlights. One iconic spot is where seagulls line up along the railings, seemingly watching the world go by. Another notable feature is the Golden Lion, a historic pub relocated from Digbeth. Sadly, the building is in desperate need of restoration, but Historic England is overseeing efforts to preserve it, with work expected to begin soon.
The scaffolding around the Golden Lion.
A more reflective part of the park is the memorial dedicated to the victims of the 2015 terrorist attack on a Tunisian beach. This quiet area is home to Infinite Wave, a fascinating metal sculpture designed by George King Architects. The structure features 31 tubes, each engraved with the name of one of the UK victims, brought together in a continuous loop. From a photographer’s perspective, the memorial is captivating, offering different viewpoints depending on where you stand.
Detail of the 31 Steel loops with the names of those who lost their lives.Dave takes pictures inside the memorial.Whilst Inderjit surveys the outside.
Cannon Hill Park has many other areas of interest, each with its own story to tell. One such place is the Sons of Rest, a building I’ve often passed but never fully appreciated. Though it appears unused now, it was once a meeting spot where people gathered for social activities like board games and conversation. Another highlight is the Victorian bandstand, an ornate octagonal structure that serves as a focal point for park events, including the Park Run held earlier that morning.
The Sons of Rest.The Victorian Bandstand.
I was also charmed by the Park Train station stop, a whimsical feature of the park.
Train stop.
Our walk took us into the northwest section of the park, where remnants of a tropical garden remain. Unfortunately, the area needs care and attention. The historic greenhouse was dismantled in 2012 after falling into disrepair, and the council’s plan to maintain the space as a subtropical garden has not been entirely successful. The area now looks somewhat neglected, with graffiti-tagged walls adding to the sense of abandonment.
The path that lies before us.Parts of of the supporting poles remain.The broken path in the subtropical garden area.Grafitti on the outside walls of a once tropical Glasshouse.
Further along, we came across a model of the Elan Valley Aqueduct, another interesting and quirky feature of the park. However the park does need some tender loving care and the following set of photographs show how the park is being run down.
Keep together whatever happens.The rule of three.Recognition of former times.Warning sign.Free Advertising.More threesomes that need painting.
As we continued to explore, I was struck by the stillness of the park during late November and early December. With the vibrant summer crowds long gone, the park felt as though it were bedding down for the winter, waiting patiently for the warmth and liveliness of the summer months to return.
If you enjoyed this account of Birmingham then you may like to read about a visit to Edgbaston reservoir that was organised by my friends at IgersbirminghamUK.
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