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Watching the sun go down by Bracebridge pool, Sutton Park

by Damien Walmsley Posted on
Sunset glow over the water

Surprisingly I have never been inside Sutton Park.  Why not I ask myself, having lived in Birmingham and Solihull for over 35 years.  I have been to Sutton Coldfield many times but not to the park.  With some meetings cancelled, I planned a visit and got there around 45 minutes before the sun was to set.  I timed my walk to be at Bracebridge pool when the sunset was due to take place. 

Bracebridge Pool at Sunset
Bracebridge Pool at Sunset

It was muddy on the trails and I did get distracted by Blackroot pool on the way as the tree lined avenue next to the train line was glowing in the setting sun.  Eventually I arrived on the shore of Bracebridge and I sat down to admire the colours of the sunset.  I had debated whether to bring my tripod with me and I therefore played around with the ISO and left it at 400.  The colours were beautiful, and I lingered a long time around the pool. 

The shore at Bracebridge Pool
The shore at Bracebridge Pool
Reflections in the water
Reflections in the water
A bench with a view of the sunset
A bench with a view of the sunset

It was dark getting back and the prospect of negotiating the woods alone but luckily I met a couple who were disorientated and wanted to get back to the same car park.  The park does get very quiet when the sun goes down.  I came back and processed my pictures.

Blackroot pool in Sutton Park
Blackroot pool in Sutton Park

There was one I was particularly proud about and I received some interesting comments on it from Ewen in the British Tech Network Slackroom.

Sunset glow over the water
Sunset glow over the water

“So at that distance F10 to F8 is zero noticeable difference and F10 to F5.6 would have been a small enough amount for sharpening to reduce the difference. Handheld I expect myself to be able to shoot successfully at 1/15th There are trees there to brace against or you take off your shoe laces and tie them around the camera and hold the other end under you feet to get a taught line to pull against. All of these give you extra stops back to reduce the ISO. My first choice is always to maintain the lowest ISO and highest image quality as possible. Zooming in you already have excess grain in the water through the higher ISO and lower light level. Secondly, when adjusting the RAW file, use of ‘highlight’ slider to reduce the glare form the sun is the starting point as you need to get the ambient light on the rest of the image up. Your job is to balance the colours AND the textures. You’d nailed the textures but lost the awesome colours in everything but the clouds around the sun. Your next question is ‘what looks natural’ and when looking towards the Sun, your natural vision is ‘blown out’ in order to see the other details, so its ok to burn out the clouds around the sun a little more than you feel the histogram is telling you to. In that way you see more of the great detail in the trees and lake and you still get great colours in the clouds…just a little further away from the sun.”   

Always good to get such advice and thanks Ewen.

If you are thinking about visiting Sutton Park then there is a good website from Birmingham City Council which has maps and information.
Sutton Park, Birmingham City Council

Categories blog

Birmingham Lockdown #2 – New Street Art in Digbeth

by Damien Walmsley Posted on
The custard fatoiry, Digbeth

Another of my regular visits to Digbeth found me taking pictures of a few of my favourite street art murals. I also got to see several new paintings as well.  Recent visits have been anything but normal and this visit was taken during Lockdown#2 and there were few people around. Parts of the Custard Factory were cordoned off only allowing access to Gibb Street. Parking my car in Floodgate Street I made my way through the alleyway over the river Rea to Gibb street. The area is always changing and I wanted to see The great reset by Gent48.  A van was parked partially blocking the mural but I was able to get a close up of it. The artist does capture the mood of the times with the phrase “the sky is falling down”

The Great Rest
The Great Rest

Following this I made my way under the arches and on the way captured several murals. The car park is empty at this time of the day so I was able to get a picture of the Spiderman mural followed by an old favourite Golden Boy. My list of photographs was almost complete but I had one more to do and that was the Black Sabbath mural in the car park by Digbeth Coach station. As I passed the station I saw how deserted it looked with no buses inside, I like the picture of the empty coach station as it sums up the Lockdown#2 atmosphere prevailing around Birmingham. All pictures taken with the Canon 5D markIV and my 24-70mm lens. I try to take different views of Digbeth, as it is so often photographed.

Digbeth Fazeley Street
Looking up Fazeley Street near to the start of Floodgate street.
The custard fatoiry, Digbeth
The Glory of Custard
Map of Digbeth
There are maps available part of the street art
Golden Boy on Hack St
Golden Boy on Hack St
Palm Oil equals...
Palm Oil equals…
Birmingham Coach Station Empty
Birmingham Coach Station Empty

I love the new features of Word Press and being able to play around with before and after images of the street art is great fun. My first go is with the Black Sabbath picture that is amazing street art by the Artist N4T4.

The positive and the negative of Black Sabbath
Spider Man Street Art
Spider Man Street Art, Trinity Street Car Park
Heath Mill Lane
Heath Mill Lane
Gent48 on Floodgate Street
Gent48 on Floodgate Street
Thinking about Rankin Roger
Thinking about Rankin Roger
Birmingham Screwdriver Factory
Down the River to the Screwdriver Factory
Street Art and Birmingham Icons
Street Art and Birmingham Icons

Further Browsing
Do you want to know more about Digbeth?
Visit InDigbeth for the latest news and views
Try my past blog on Digbeth Art as it too has some nice pictures and links

Categories blog

Burton Dassett Hills Country Park – escape to the countryside

by Damien Walmsley Posted on
All Saints Church

There is always the countryside to escape to during Lockdown#2 and Burton Dassett Hill Country Park deep in the Warwickshire countryside provides an opportunity to get some fresh air, enjoy a walk and see some beautiful scenery. The weather was kind to us on the Saturday afternoon we visited. It was late afternoon and the sun was creating lovely colours through the clouds. It was possible to see well into the distance and on this visit I made my way to All Saints Church. Here are some pictures from the day to enjoy.

Barton Dassett Hills Country Park - setting sun
Barton Dassett Hills Country Park – setting sun
On top of Magpie Hill
On top of Magpie Hill
Hill walking
Going down is easier than going up
Magpie Hill with Windmill Hill in the background
Magpie Hill with Windmill Hill in the background

All the pictures were taken with my Canon 5D mark IV and I brought two lens with me. The first is my “go to” 24-70mm which always gives great pictures. I also used by 200mm zoom for some of the pictures as well. The setting sun provided beautiful light making the photography a delight. My favourite picture is of All Saints Church and the lovely glow of light on the stone architecture. Unfortunately the church was not open due to the Coronavirus so look forward to visiting again when the restrictions are relaxed.

the lane to the Vicarage at the Church
Beautiful light in the lane to the Vicarage at the Church
End of the day with a beautiful view
End of the day with a beautiful view from the slopes of Windmill Hill

Further reading
A Glorious Day – read about my first visit to Burton Dassett
Burton Dassett Hills Country Park – Warwickshire County Council Web Page

Categories blog

Birmingham Lockdown #2 – a visit to the Mailbox

by Damien Walmsley Posted on
mailbox entrance with lamp

Pre April 2020, the Mailbox was full of energy with office workers streaming through in the morning.  Last Christmas it was full of shacks from the German Christmas market and there was so much activity.  Roll on a year and the pandemic has reduced it to a quiet solitary existence.  Single people are drifting along the streets.  At least there is a Christmas tree to brighten the proceedings. The pictures tell a story and whilst they are a stark reminder of the city under Lockdown#2, the beautiful architecture of the Mailbox wins through.

The inside of the Mailbox
The inside of the Mailbox, early morning during Lockdown#2
One person where there used to be many.
Christmas tree in the Mailbix
Lovely Christmas tree
The Mailbox interior entrance
The Mailbox interior entrance
Single commuter
Single commuter
No Christmas market stalls this year
No Christmas market stalls this year
car park outside the mailbox
Not many people coming to work in the City
The Mailbox
The Mailbox
Giant table lamp
Where is everyone? Lockdown #2
Categories blog

The Photoshow on the British Tech Network

by Damien Walmsley Posted on

The British Tech Network is run by Ewen Rankin and started out mainly as a discussion network for computer enthusiasts.
https://britishtechnetwork.com
It is lovingly termed the BTN and the members discuss topics via the BTN Slack room. The network runs a weekly Mac Show and Big Show which is very popular with well over 20,000 subscribers. “The Photo Show” is also part of the British Tech Network. We cover news, kit and then discuss a topic. We have had guests on who have discussed subjects from wedding photography to portrait photography.

The BTN PhotoShow
The Photo Show in full swing with Sarah Longes

The Photoshow is also popular and has around 6,000 views. Whilst Ewen started off the Photoshow he has now entrusted the project to small team of 4 people who are all enthusiasts when it comes to photography.

Martin who is an amateur photographer and a brilliant pub quiz organiser.  His pub quizzes kept Sandy and I going through the first Lockdown in April 2020 and we are still doing them in the 2nd Lockdown.  Then there is Ian Lewis who is an amateur photographer from Cornwall and lives amongst the most amazing scenery.  There is Doddsie (Neil Dodds) who lives in Nyon, Switzerland who also has beautiful scenery to photograph.  Finally there is me who enjoys a picture or two.

Photoshow Web Page
The BTN website with Tubemapper – Luke Agbaimoni – featured guest

We started off by ourselves and as we got more proficient, we invited guests.  You will see in the recordings that both Luke Agbaimoni (@Tubemapper) and Sarah Longes have been on the show.  Both were very entertaining, and Sarah has so much to talk about that we have made it into two shows.  She covered such diverse topics especially mindfulness and dealing with adversity in your life.  Even though she was shielded during the Lockdown, she still managed some amazing pictures.

The show is released as a podcast on a regular 2 weekly basis and is already receiving rave reviews for its content.

Photoshow Regulars
Ian Lewis Photography – https://ianlewisphoto.co.uk/
Neil Dodd – http://doddsiephoto.ch/

Photoshow Guests
Tubemapper – https://tubemapper.com/
Sarah Longes – https://miradordesign.wordpress.com/

Sponsors of the Show
iMendmacs – https://www.imendmacs.com/
Tshhost – https://www.tsohost.com/

Categories blog

Birmingham Lockdown #2 – a photographic journey of the first morning

by Damien Walmsley Posted on
Sunrise at the BullRing

Thursday 5th November was the start of Lockdown #2. As I pass via town on my way to work, I took the opportunity of getting my camera out to record events on this particular day. I was near to the Bull Ring and as luck would have it the sunrise was spectacular with a pinky orange tint to the clouds. I was never in Birmingham for the last lockdown so I wanted to capture the atmosphere of this event. First there were people around, not many but I suspect more that there were in March/April. There were more pigeons than people and i am not sure if it was my imagination but there was a feeling of acceptance to the new restrictions. It was quiet and people moved briskly through the area.

Sunrise over Selfridges
Sunrise over Selfridges
People going to work oblivious of the sunrise.
People going to work oblivious of the sunrise.
The Bull is still there
The Bull is still there
Single Figures move through the empty passageways
Single Figures move through the empty passageways

My pictures were around the Christmas tree outside St Martin’s Church, up to Selfridges and then past the Bull and down onto New Street. I myself did not linger very much as I was very conspicuous with my Canon D5 camera. Whilst I love my IPhone camera, the time is coming to invest in a new compact camera that does not draw attention.

Empty platforms at New Street
Empty platforms at New Street
Reflections in the passageways
Reflections in the passageways
Catching the tram
Catching the tram
On their way to work
On their way to work

On my way back I saw two young people by Selfridges. The pictures show some form of tension between them and the surroundings, especially the picture that is looking upwards towards them. Finally I also saw that the scaffolding is going up around Selfridges and there will be some new photographic opportunities of the specially designed covering going up.

Waiting and watching
Waiting and watching (buy a copy)
Waiting and watching
Waiting and watching
Last word from the pigeons
Last word from the pigeons LOL
Categories blog

My winning picture in the Brum through our eyes competition.

by Damien Walmsley Posted on
Lights in Floodgate street Digbeth

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

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

Links
Brum through our Eyes Winners

Categories blog

Autumnal days on the University of Birmingham Campus

by Damien Walmsley Posted on
University of Birmingham Sunset on campus

These are surreal days on the University Campus as a term is in full swing but many of the students are sitting in their halls of residence. I work on a Tuesday and Thursday based at the Dental School and have only ventured onto campus once or twice. I took a hunch that it was going to be a nice sunset. You never know if it will or not but the clouds were lingering and at about 5pm I drove up to the campus. My swipe card did not let me on the campus but it is now so quiet that I found a space near the main ornamental gates at the North entrance.

Autumn on Campus
Autumn on Campus
Old Joe in Golden Hour
Old Joe in Golden Hour

I saw that the clouds were still around and the sun was low. Campus was quiet. A few pictures on the way down to the Aston Webb building and taking in some nice pictures of Old Joe. I then positioned myself on the steps by the University Crests and waited for the sun to go down. I was not disappointed as the colours of pink came out in the clouds. I go for symmetry and I enjoyed the pictures that I obtained with Old Joe framed by red clouds.

Sunset and red clouds around Old Joe
Sunset and red clouds around Old Joe

After nearly half an hour the clouds darkened and I made my way back to the car. As I looked back through the gates, I saw that the clock face was illuminated pink for breast cancer month. I caught my final picture through the gates looking back at Old Joe.

Old Joe framed by the North Gates
Old Joe framed by the North Gates
Categories blog

Send me to the City of Coventry

by Damien Walmsley Posted on
University Square

It was a beautiful Autumn day when I visited Coventry for a photowalk.  I chose Coventry as I had not been there for a while and I wanted to see the old and new cathedrals.  The other monument that I wanted to see was the steel structure that was dedicated to Frank Whittle the inventor of the jet engine.  Coventry was severely bombed during the second world war and unfortunately the town planners have made a mess of the ring road.  The entry and exits happen too fast and you need to be alert for the traffic even on a Sunday. 

Ruins of the old Cathedral
Ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral
Around the old Cathedral
Around the old Cathedral, Bayley Lane
Looking up at the old Cathedral
Looking up at the old Cathedral
Entrance to the old cathedral
Entrance to the old cathedral
Lychgate Cottages & Priory Row
Lychgate Cottages on Priory Row

The cathedrals are situated around the University area and therefore I parked on the roads around the campus and made my way to Cathedral Square.  The old cathedral ruins stand out against the sky and provide lots of details for photography.  I wandered by Bayley lane and then the quadrangle boarded by St Michael’s Avenue and Cockoo Lane.  Then I went into the Cathedral ruins.  As you will see from my photographs, there is much to take in and there is the old versus the new Cathedral with its distinctive modern architecture. 

Classic view of the statue of St Micheal, the archangel over Lucifer
Classic view of the statue of St Micheal, the archangel over Lucifer
Detail of Coventry Cathedral
Detail of Coventry Cathedral
The stained glass window
The stained glass window
Socially distanced arrangements
Socially distanced arrangements

Moving away from the square to the sixties shopping area and the Frank Whittle monument, the mood changes.  I moved on from the square and passed by the Britannia Inn. The sixties architecture strikes you straightaway especially as you make you way past the bus station down to the square where the Motor museum is situated.

Frank Whittle blows clouds onto the monument
Frank Whittle blows clouds onto the monument
Looking past the Britannia Hotel to the Frank Whittle monument
Looking past the Britannia Hotel to the Frank Whittle monument

The city is a mixture of vibrant activity around the University with the students to a feeling of listlessness as people move around the other parts of the city in an aimless way.  Hales street which is the centre of the statue and monument is outside the transport museum.  After a few pictures here, I then walked through the shopping area and I eventually came to Fords Hospital Alms House which is an old 500 year building. It is a lodging place for retired women in the City.  A place to come back to and explore especially when it is open during Heritage week.  I enjoyed my visit to Coventry.

Fords Hospital Alms House
Fords Hospital Alms House
Courtyard, Fords Hospital Alms House
Courtyard, Fords Hospital Alms House

Many of the pictures are a mixture of iPhone and Canon 5D. I took a low down picture of the cathedrals from behind a fountain on the University Square. The picture featured on the next day weather forecast as shown.

Shefali Oza with my weather photograph
Shefali Oza with my weather photograph

Finally I found some Graffiti artwork by Lucy McLaughlan around Cathedral Square. I find her monochrome style fascinating.

Lucy McLaughlan Artwork around Cathedral Square
Lucy McLaughlan Artwork around Cathedral Square
Categories blog

Walking in St Paul’s Square and down Livery Street

by Damien Walmsley Posted on
Amongst the trees JQ

I love the area around St Paul’s Church and in Autumn it starts to look colourful with the leaves on the ground.  It was one of my stops on my way to walk.  The sky was also very colourful with the sunrise and rain clouds making pretty patterns. 

Livery Street and it is only “A matter of opinion”

I took a picture down Livery street which is a very long street/road.  There is a Brummie saying that you look like you have “a face as long as Livery street”.  There are some good sign posting on the buildings in the area.  A matter of opinion has been up for a while and is shown on Livery Street. 

Compared to what
Compared tp what….

I noticed at one of the corners of St Paul’s Square that there was more signposting with the words “Compared to what…”  They add a fun element to the streets of Birmingham. 

St Paul’s Church in the Jewellery Quarter

A picture of St Paul’s Church was well received on social media.  It is a a very photogenic church.  Taking a picture of both the spire of St Paul’s and the BT Tower is another photo opportunity. The area is very pretty and it was after discussion on social media that I realised that there are more hidden squares around the Jewellery Quarter. It is a place to return to time and time again.

St Paul's Church and BT Tower
St Paul’s Church and BT Tower
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