The May Bank Holiday was not going to be like last year. The temperature was predicted to go down to around 2 degrees centigrade. I had in my mind that I wanted to photograph Chesterton Windmill on the Saturday evening. Was I mad? Looking at the weather forecast there was a good chance of a mix of sun and clouds. These were the ingredients for a possible sunset. Therefore I had an early supper and packed all the kit. I included hot drinks as well. Lots of clothing layers and also a pair of gloves. Goodness is this May!!!

You see the windmill from the road and already your excitement levels rise as it is very prominent and command lovely views. There are never that man people there in the evening so I parked the car and I could not wait to get the camera out and start taking pictures. My problem is that I get too excited about getting that picture. I looked to bracket some of my pictures for later HDR treatment and some of them came out very well.

Sunset using a graduated filter
A bracketed exposure and the clouds are a little blurry due to their movement between shots
I like this one and it has caught the grass giving a layering to the picture

At the windmill, I also looked for different pictures of the structure. This can be difficult for me as I tend to always see the larger details. However the golden light opened some interesting pictures.

A sail and part of the structure makes for a nice picture. The stone wheel adds interest.

This is framing the sunset with one of the sails pointing to the setting sun.
The stone work absorbs the warm colours of the sunset
An attempt to highlight the grass around the windmill.
Another bracketed shot of the sunset

Then after a couple of hours the sun has gone and there is just a warm glow over the area. The hot coffee back at the car was lovely and then it was back home to look at the pictures. I will also be back to take some more pictures in the future. Hopefully I will not leave it too long this time.

The new Dental School and Hospital at Pebble Mill offers many photographic opportunities.  The sun rises and sets into the atrium providing various lights and shadows during the day.  I have posted many of these on my Flickr site but cannot resist adding a few more.

It is just not me that likes the building as it has won an award from the West Midlands Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).  It came first in the category “Innovation through Design”  The judging panel liked the functionality and layout of the building. They highlighted the welcoming atrium, the open clinics and the world class research laboratories.

The Birmingham Dental Hospital & School of Dentistry will now go forward to represent the West Midlands in the national RICS Grand Final on 2 November 2017, competing against other projects from across the UK.

Meanwhile enjoy the pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

The #igersbirmingham community find very interesting places to visit for photographic excursions.  Usually I find there are calendar clashes or I am away from home with work or family.  Fortunately when the Fort Dunlop instalment date was announced in August, I found that I could make it.  Fort Dunlop is an iconic building that overlooks the M6 in Birmingham.  I remember passing the building as we commuted down to London where I worked in the early eighties.  I also remember the large posters that adorned the building during its renovation. One of my bucket list items was to see the Fort Dunlop cows and take pictures of the famous sign.  Well all this came true on a Saturday night in August.  The views are wonderful and although we did not have a colourful sunset, there were ample opportunities for different photographs.  A wonderful night and thanks to the Igersbirmingham organisers and the photo community for their friendship during the evening.

The neon letters agains

Light trails M6

Birmingham panorama

On top of the world

Angry skies