Assignment 5:applying the techniques of illustration and narrative

For this, the final assignment of the Art of Photography course, we were asked to imagine that we were about to illustrate a story for a magazine. I have chosen to present a picture narrative titled "The urban regeneration of central Birmingham". All photographs were taken with my (new) Canon 50D SLR and one of the following lenses - Tamron 18 to 270mm telephoto, Tokina 11 to 16mm wide angle or Canon 50mm f/1.8 prime lens.

THE URBAN REGENERATION OF CENTRAL BIRMINGHAM

The ICC - iconic heart of the new Birmingham

This photograph shows the canal side entrance to the very impressive International Convention Centre which houses Symphony Hall, amongst other venues. For many people, this building exemplifies the new Birmingham and the stroke of genius was to include within it the main walkway from the city centre to the new canal side restaurants, bars, shops and office developments, thus incorporating it into the daily lives of thousands of people. Reflexions of some of the modern canal side buildings can be seen in the glass. (Tokina lens, hand held, f/11, shutter speed 1/60 seconds, ISO 400, focal length 11mm).




Just waiting for the developers

Careful restoration breathes new life

The story of the regeneration of Birmingham is about the vision of a few individuals who saw the opportunity of changing the face of a city for so long associated with, increasingly reducing, heavy industry and car production, by utilising old warehouses and factories, like those shown on the left, and redeveloping them into modern apartments, restaurants, bars and offices. By providing such facilities in the centre of the city, it thus became a flourishing and vibrant location for those who moved there and for visitors (both recreational and business) and for office workers. (Left picture:Tamron lens, tripod, ISO 100, f/11, 1/15 seconds exposure at 18mm. Right: Tokina lens, hand-held, ISO 400, f/11, 1/125 seconds exposure at 11mm).


Imaginative architecture from the seventies is retained

There was still room for retaining some of the seventies iconic architecture like this listed signal box located at the entrance to New Street Station. (Tokina, hand-held, ISO 400, f/11, 1/100 secs shutter speed at 16mm).













The ICC welcomes all









But the old Bingley Hall was replaced by the International Convention Centre, whose interior, although twenty years old, is strikingly modern with its glass, steel and marble construction. The pedestrian walkway, mentioned in the cover photograph, is illustrated here. (Tokina, hand-held, ISO400, f/5.6, shutter speed 1/80 secs at 11mm)




From warehouse to luxury apartment














Opening up the canal side

Much of the new development has centred around the canal system to the west of the city centre, turning this once bleak industrial setting into an extremely attractive place to live. Some of the new apartments have been built within the shells of old factories and warehouses, like Sherbourne Wharf on the left (once a warehouse of Fellows, Morton and Clayton), whereas others are brand new, purpose built structures like King Edwards Wharf, seen here on the right. (Left: Tamron, tripod, ISO 100, f/11, shutter speed 1/25 secs at 65mm. Right: Tamron, tripod, ISO 100, f/11, shutter speed 1/8 secs at 55mm).


Some established pubs have been forced to close


With the opening-up of the canal side area, pubs like the Fiddle and Bone, which relied on its music license in particular, were forced to close under pressure from influential residents in the newly opened apartments, seen here reflected in the windows of the pub. The interior looks as though the pub is still in business with its tables and chairs and even beer pumps on the bar but the flaking paintwork outside tells a different story. The pub has been closed for more than 7 years. (Tamron, hand-held, ISO 100, f/11, 0.30 secs shutter speed at 18mm).

The 'Clinton Pub' flourishes

On the other hand, a number of pubs have flourished because of their canal side location like the Moat House, a very popular establishment close to the National Indoor Arena (NIA) and National Sealife Centre. Then President Bill Clinton had a drink on the balcony of the Moat House during a visit to the city and the pub is now known locally as 'The Clinton Pub'. (Tokina, hand-held, ISO 400, f/11, shutter speed 1/50 secs at 11mm).

Public Art - Gormley's 'Iron Man'

Apartment complexes find space for art

A great deal of public art has been commissioned during the regeneration and placed at strategic places around the city. On the left, Anthony Gormley's Iron Man stands at the top of New Street with the recently refurbished Town Hall in the background. As well as public art, many of the more prestigious apartment complexes have provided space for more up and coming artists like Laurence Quinn. ( Left: Tamron, hand-held, ISO 400, f/11, shutter speed 1/30 secs at 35mm. Right: Canon, hand-held, f/1.8, shutter speed 1/8000 secs at 50mm).

More miles of canals than Venice

Many of the buildings around Brindley Place are now widely recognised, like this Venetian palazzo style office building which dominates the canal side. (Tokina, hand-held, ISO 400, f/11, shutter speed 1/30 secs at 11 mm).

Development - a constant process

The story of Birmingham's regeneration has not finished and is likely to continue for years to come. The amazing 'Cube' is nearing completion, adding more luxury apartments and offices next to the Mailbox complex. The building of a new library is scheduled for completion in 2013, the year that Birmingham hopes to be granted the accolade of European City of Culture - and who would say that this wouldn't be a well-deserved honour. (Tokina, hand-held, ISO 400, f/11, shutter speed 1/160 secs at 11mm).

Reflections on Assignment 5

This has been a thoroughly enjoyable assignment and I am pleased with the subject chosen (thanks to my wife for suggesting it!). There was no shortage of possible photographs and it was very difficult to choose only 13 of those which I did take.

In deciding on the 'cover picture', I wanted the subject to be one that is considered by many to be the iconic building of the new Birmingham, the International Convention Centre, and to choose a view which juxtaposed the external lines of this structure with relections of the sky and other new buildings which make up the canal side development. If I had to choose just one photograph to illustrate the whole theme, it would have to be this one.

I enjoyed the opportunity of using different lenses - wide-angle, telephoto and 50mm prime - during this assignment and different weather conditions from day to day added to the challenge. I am glad that I was able to take the ICC shot on a cloudless day because the reflections and blue sky make the photo.