Tales From the Towpath: A Sunny Sunday Cycle
I’m not a spiritual person, but sometimes you wake up, see the sun and just ‘know’ that you need to get out with the camera. This is a quick blog post about the power of doing just that! It's a little bit about cameras, a little bit about cycling and even a little bit about life - but nothing too deep, just some thoughts. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon read.
I’m not a spiritual person, but sometimes you wake up, see the sun and just ‘know’ that you need to get out with the camera. This is a quick blog post about the power of doing just that! It's a little bit about cameras, a little bit about cycling and even a little bit about life - but nothing too deep, just some thoughts. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon read.
I’ve been working pretty much constantly for a few months and knew that I was feeling a little bit burnt out. As a photographer and videographer, my work tends to get busier in the build up to Christmas with conferences, events and business burning through their marketing budgets. So when I had the opportunity to have a rare Sunday to myself, with no editing to do and no jobs booked in, I knew that I was going to get out with the camera and just take some pictures for myself!
It was a beautiful autumnal day in Birmingham with a slight chill in the air - the kind of day that I absolutely love and perfect for taking the bike out. I had no intention of going particularly far, or particularly fast or even trying to take particularly good photos - it was more just the act of taking photos. I decided to cycle down one of Birmingham’s many canal routes in the hope that the autumnal colours would be in full bloom.
Deciding which camera to take is always a challenge. I’m privileged to have a number of cameras to pick from but there is one in particular that doesn’t seem to get enough use, the Fuji GFX 50 S II - a beautiful Medium Format camera that produces incredible images and small enough to through in a backpack and cycle with, the perfect camera for my needs. It’s not a particular fast camera to use but then again, this little trip out was never meant to be rushed.
With the camera safely packed up, I hit the road, well, the towpath more accurately as I made my way out towards Birmingham’s Spaghetti Junction. This might not sound like the most picturesque of destinations but I do have a soft spot for the more industrial feeling areas. The light was beautiful and the warm autumnal tones made a nice contrast with the grey concrete and old factory buildings. The GFX has great dynamic range and it would come in very useful to balance the bright sunshine and the deep shadows.
The riding was fairly light going and the towpaths were pretty quiet, apart from the occasional person fishing or fellow cyclist. It was nice just to clear my head and concentrate on just looking for images. It almost feels like some form of meditation when you are simply focused on looking for little scenes to create images from, freeing you from all of the other stresses of work, money and life in general. Even better, I had no intent on even making ‘good’ images, I just let my mind wander and if something caught my eye, I’d stop, take out the camera and grab a picture.
I had no real destination in mind, I was simply just following the towpath. I’d occasionally nod and say hello to passers-by but I was mostly just looking ahead and seeing what potential images I could see. The further out of the city I got, the more the scenes changed from industrial, to residential and eventually to countryside, or at least what a city-dweller like me would class as countryside. It was so nice to just keep going, mile after mile until the towpaths went from grey concrete to soft wet mud - a challenging cycle but great fun and the smell of the wet mud and grass made me realise how much I enjoy being out of the city!
The bike was holding up well too, for now at least. For those interested, I was riding a Canondale Topstone 4 - a very capable Gravel Bike that has been ideal for getting around Birmingham on and was proving to be more than adept at a bit more ‘off road’ action. As I bounced over tree routes and narrowly avoided wildlife, I was deeply concentrating on what I was doing and it felt good to be immersed in the act of just being out on the bike, exploring a little bit of nature and only stopping if something caught my eye.
As mile after mile went by, I was so wrapped up in what I was doing that as I started to get into a bit more of an urban area again, I wasn’t entirely sure where I was. A quick look on google maps revealed I was in Tamworth! I’d managed some 15 miles on the Birmingham & Fazeley canal through varying terrain. I now had a choice, get the train home or cycle back? It wasn’t even close, I was enjoying myself so much that I immediately turned around, got straight back on the towpath and made my way homewards.
I stopped off to grab a coffee on my way back at a little canalside pub. The locals barely lifted an eye at my mud covered legs and sweaty face. I scrolled through the images on the GFX, not particularly impressed by any of them but also completely unbothered, this was more just the joy of taking images with no pressure at all whether they’re any good or not. It was so relieving to not have to consider clients' opinions or whether they would ‘do well on social media’ - these images were just for me.
As I made my way back into Birmingham, with the best of the light starting to fade behind clouds, I felt my front wheel become a bit ‘unresponsive’ and a quick inspection confirmed my worst fears, a puncture. Even though my tyres are ‘tubeless’ I’d not got a pump on me so with about four miles to go, I ended up walking and half-carrying my bike so as not to damage the front tyre. This should have ruined my day but I was so full of joy from just being out with the camera, that I barely noticed the inconvenience.
As I slowly made my way home, I couldn’t help but feel this was exactly what I had needed, a bit of downtime. It’s strange but I get so much joy from photography but it really helps when you are doing it for yourself and not with a client's expectations looming over you. It was great to use the GFX and I loved editing the images and pulling so much from them. I will definitely be making use of the big medium format camera again.
When I got home and got cleaned up, I started to think about how life is a little bit like that towpath (bear with me!). We’re all on our own journey, sometimes it’s easy going, other times it gets a bit muddy. Sometimes you’re so focused on not going in the water that you end up in the brambles. You never know who you will meet on the journey or what you’ll see. Ultimately, it’s about finding those little bits of enjoyment and even if it gets a bit more challenging and you suffer a puncture, it’s about making sure you take time for yourself and enjoying the little moments while you can. At the end of the journey when your legs are hurting, you’re out of breath and you’ve struggling through the mud, you might even end up in Tamworth…
Feeling slightly deflated…
Posts you might also like…
About the Author - Ross Jukes is a professional Photographer and Videographer with over a decade of experience. Working in both Digital and Analogue formats, Ross has worked with international clients, had his worked published numerous times and exhibited his work extensively. With a passion for all things photographic, Ross combines his experience, enthusiasm and dedication to his art form to create engaging and educational content for the photographic community.
Disclaimer: All links to Amazon UK/US are affiliated links - you will still pay the same price but I will receive a small commission. All information provided in this blog is intended either for educational or entertainment purposes and is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, further research/professional advice should be sort before making purchases/implementing any advice given and no responsibility is taken by the author or parties mentioned here within.
The Top Ten Must visit Landmarks for any Photographer in Birmingham
As a Birmingham photographer, I've had the privilege of capturing the city's most stunning landmarks on a daily basis. Birmingham's rich history and modern developments offer a diverse range of photographic opportunities. Whether you're a local photographer or visiting the city from further afield, these iconic landmarks should be on every photographer's shot list. This is my top 10 must-capture locations that showcase the best of Birmingham's architecture, culture, and urban landscape. Right, in no particular order, let's get into it…
As a Birmingham photographer, I've had the privilege of capturing the city's most stunning landmarks on a daily basis. Birmingham's rich history and modern developments offer a diverse range of photographic opportunities. Whether you're a local photographer or visiting the city from further afield, these iconic landmarks should be on every photographer's shot list. This is my top 10 must-capture locations that showcase the best of Birmingham's architecture, culture, and urban landscape. Right, in no particular order, let's get into it…
It really would have helped if I had put them in a logical walking order 🤦♂️
1 - The Library of Birmingham
When it first opened in 2013, The Library of Birmingham was greeted with a lukewarm reception. It divided opinion and left many people pining for the grey, Brutalist nostalgia of the ‘old’ Library of Birmingham. However, over the years opinions have softened and it has become a much loved landmark on the Birmingham horizon. For Birmingham photographers, the striking square lines, intricate metal work and stunning gold colour provide plenty of photographic opportunity.
The Library of Birmingham with a future landmark in the background…
Photography Tips - Visit on a sunny day (good luck!) and capture the striking gold facade against a bright blue sky. Don’t forget to visit the ‘Secret Garden’ terrace to get amazing views and more photographs of Birmingham's skyline from the fourth and seventh floors. The Shakespeare Room on the ninth floor has amazing views but from behind glass.
2 - The Bullring and Selfridges Building
No trip to Birmingham is complete without a visit to Birmingham’s Bullring. Even for those who regularly photograph Birmingham, it’s pretty difficult to resist the charms of ‘meeting at the Bull’ (one of two famous Bull’s in the city, Ozzie being the more recent addition!) then capturing the view to St Martin’s - a personal favourite view and then walking around the corner to capture abstract photographs of another architectural wonder, the Selfridges Building.
Strictly speaking, this is the view from Bullring to St Martin’s but I couldn’t resist adding this image…
Photography Tips - Where possible, visit at sunrise to get the best views of St Martin’s and the Selfridges Building, in particular in Autumn. The Bullring is private land so the security may approach you if you are using a tripod, which requires a permit. At present, Summer 2024 - there are multiple developments going on around The Bullring and opposite the Selfridges Building so consider focussing on smaller details, rather than sweeping grand vistas.
3 - Birmingham Canal Network
Birmingham has more canals tha… Ah, don’t worry about it, you probably wouldn’t believe me. Famed for its sprawling canal network, our next amazing Birmingham photography opportunity is to explore ‘the cut’. Particular photography hotspots are Gas Street Basin, where you will find the MailBox and bars & restaurants. Then have a slow walk down through Brindley Place and to the SeaLife Centre, all whilst watching the Canal Barges and Kayaks go by…
Gas Street Basin, I may have taken a little ‘artistic license’ with this image but still a beautiful Winter’s morning…
Photography Tips - The canals are a fantastic place to explore and on a nice sunny day and offer plenty of photography opportunities. However, you do need to keep your wits about you. It is quite easy to wander into some more 'dodgy’ areas that are less busy and can be home to some of Birmingham’s less friendly residents. Keep a close eye on your expensive camera gear and where possible, explore in a group rather than alone, safety first!
4 - Victoria Square and Town Hall
Another Public space that is brimming with life and photo opportunities is Victoria Square. Home of the Town Hall and Birmingham Museum and Art Galleries, there are plenty of chances to street scenes, architectural shots and usually some event photography. Most weeks there is something filling the square from pop-up food festivals, dance festivals and we’ve even had an entire forest of futuristic trees filling the square! Don’t forget to grab some shots of our beloved Floozie!
An older image of Victoria Square as the Floozie finally has water in it now but again, just an image I love…
Photography Tips - If you are after a bit of life, visit on the weekends and evenings as it can be a popular gathering spot, in particular during the summer. However, if you’re after some really interesting shots, try to plan a visit at sunrise in Winter, there’s always a good chance of getting a bit of fog and it really adds a haunting quality to the images. Be sure to cross over the tracks to the Town Hall tram stop and get a wide shot of the entire square with 103 Colmore Row looming in the background!
5 - Digbeth and The Custard Factory
Digbeth is the beating heart of Birmingham’s creative scene and has undergone a bit of a renaissance over the past couple of years. It is awash with bars, restaurants and cool little independent shops. Famed for its Street Art and music scene, Digbeth has plenty to offer. However, the recent Midland Metro extension has significantly changed the look and feel of the High Street, a walk down to the Custard Factory will present plenty of photographic opportunities.
Digbeth really comes alive at night...
Photography Tips - Take your time to explore the side streets, in particular at dusk as many streets are illuminated with festoons. As with the Canals, be mindful of your gear but get chatting to the locals, they’re generally a friendly bunch and if urban street portraiture is your thing, you’ll have no shortage of interesting characters to photograph!
6 - Paradise
I’ve been casually photographing Birmingham for nearly two decades now and if I told you the ‘old’ Paradise was something of an oxymoron, you’d understand! The new Paradise however is far more fitting of its name. Clean crisp commercial buildings offer plenty of Architectural Photography opportunities whilst the bars and communal spaces are a great way to gently pass the time. The striking mix of ‘old and new’ buildings offers something for everyone and when you are all ‘photographed’ out - there are plenty of nice places to eat!
Find your spot in Paradise and watch the world go by, surrounded by beautiful architecture…
Photography Tips - The best views of Paradise are from Centenary Square and in particular, the balcony of The Library of Birmingham. Head from the library through Paradise and to Victoria Square, the walk will take in the best of Paradise. Don’t forget to grab some shots of the new developments in the area and in particular, The Octagon, you won’t miss it!
7 - Centenary Square
Centenary Square takes in some of the other landmarks already mentioned but you definitely shouldn’t overlook the square itself. Redeveloped in 2019, it’s another Birmingham landmark that divided opinion but has grown into a much loved area of the city. Neatly nestled between Broad Street and Paradise (some may say Heaven & Hell!) The square is a good place to sit and watch the world go by!
Centenary Square is arguably best captured from the balconies of The Library of Birmingham…
Photography Tips - This is probably a reflection of Birmingham City Councils financial difficulties but the main water feature at the heart of the square hasn’t been turned on in 2024. However, it has become a focal point for Birmingham’s roller skate community and in particular at weekends, you will find dozens of skaters circling the paved area - plenty of cool locals who are far braver and more talented than I am!
8 - St Philips Cathedral
I would take a good bet that every self-confessed Birmingham Photographer has at least a few shots of St Philip’s Cathedral hiding away in their Lightroom catalog. The Cathedral is at the heart of Colmore Business District and is surrounded by Colmore Row, Temple Street and the back of House of Fraser. Locally known as ‘Pigeon Park’ it is another great spot to watch the world go by and be entertained by the locals whilst enjoying a bit of 'green space’ in the heart of the city.
Autumn in Birmingham is a special time..
Photography Tips - St Philip’s looks great at any time of year, but a personal favourite time of year to photograph this iconic landmark is in the Autumn. When the trees have turned a golden brown and orange, they fall and leave a carpet of colour on the grounds of the Cathedral. It's a real photography treat if you time it just right and if the weather plays ball, you can capture some really wonderful images.
9 - Jewellery Quarter
I’ll admit, as a ‘JQ’ resident, I may be slightly biassed but the Jewellery Quarter is definitely an iconic location to visit for any Birmingham photographer. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s ‘trapped in a different time’ but you definitely get a feel for the heritage of the JQ. Quaint little jewellery shops and a wealth of cafes, bars and restaurants make the JQ a perfect way to waste an afternoon exploring with your camera.
I know I’m biassed but the Jewellery Quarter is a magical place…
Photography Tips - Once you’ve done with the busy streets and explored the museums and galleries - head to Warstone Lane Cemetery. It may sound a bit morbid but it is fascinating to see the old tombstones and monuments to some of Birmingham’s ‘older’ residents. There are Catacombs at the centre that make for some interesting photos. On The other side of JQ, St Paul’s Church makes for an equally interesting subject matter.
10 - The Rotunda
Right at the top of the list of Birmingham's landmarks, arguably next to the BT Tower - is The Rotunda, a true symbol of Birmingham. Whether it’s postcards from the 60’s and 70’s or ultra modern aerial timelapses, I can’t imagine a Birmingham building has been photographed more than our cylindrical chum. It looks great from every angle!
Finding unique angles of The Rotunda is a skill in itself…
Photography Tips - The Rotunda can be seen from many vantage points across the city. I personally like to get further away from the building and have it as part of a Birmingham Skyline photograph. However, if you are ever fortunate enough to visit the Penthouse at the Rotunda (now more difficult due to the very sad loss of Staying Cool) you would be treated to breathtaking views over Grand Central and beyond!
A Photographer's Paradise…
I hope this list helps any Birmingham Photographer, resident or visitor make the most of some of the landmarks. It goes without saying that there are obviously a ton of other landmarks that I could have mentioned but part of the joy of being a photographer is stumbling across those hidden gems!
I love this city…
I would also add that the one thing better than all of these physical landmarks, are the people that inhabit the city. We have a rich and diverse population and (for the most part) they are a friendly bunch! The city is proud of its diversity and people want to tell you their stories. So if you are a Photographer in Birmingham, don’t forget to say hello to the locals!
Did I miss something off the list? Do you completely disagree with anything on the list? Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts, I am always looking for great suggestions on new places to photograph! Happy ‘snapping’ :)
Posts you might also like…
About the Author - Ross Jukes is a professional Photographer and Videographer with over a decade of experience. Working in both Digital and Analogue formats, Ross has worked with international clients, had his worked published numerous times and exhibited his work extensively. With a passion for all things photographic, Ross combines his experience, enthusiasm and dedication to his art form to create engaging and educational content for the photographic community.
Disclaimer: All links to Amazon UK/US are affiliated links - you will still pay the same price but I will receive a small commission. All information provided in this blog is intended either for educational or entertainment purposes and is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, further research/professional advice should be sort before making purchases/implementing any advice given and no responsibility is taken by the author or parties mentioned here within.