Birmingham – Page 8

March 26, 2010March 26, 2010

Brutal

come along :)

I know it’s not everyone’s favourite building, but the Central Library has a purpose, it’s well used and should be kept (in my opinion). Instead it’s certain to be torn down by ‘progress’. No doubt be replaced with a place with no public right of way (no Photography etc, enforced by over zealous security).

Whilst the current library has it’s failings those are not a reason to tear it down. The cost of it’s replacement will be felt for many years to come. The council seem to think the land sale and subsequent development will save the day. Anyone mention Arena Central? The serially delayed complex (seems to be running 20-30 years late). So we may get a nice shiny library (beneath the metal facade) but what’s surrounding it?

Part demolished building opposite, recently torn down library to the left of it and a tired unwashed ICC.

Anyway rant over, I’m not sure what to make of the above event as I know nothing about it really. However come along (tickets required – free though). The contact details are on the website: BrutalCentral

March 24, 2010March 24, 2010

Art installation: Claudia Borgna – Shipwrecked: My Life For A Bag

It’s been one of those things I’ve been meaning to have a look at for a while. The Rea Garden, I’m on a mailing list for info and I do get the emails. However I didn’t really know where it was to be honest. I did however stumble across it on Sunday and found the exhibition ‘Shipwrecked: My Life for a Bag’

Now I’m not a follower of art (or do I pretend to understand much of it), but there’s something alluring about an abandoned building and lots of plastic bags.

So I took pictures…….

Bags

The installation is the work of the artist Claudia Borgna and does indeed involve a lot of white bin bags. Claudia can often be seen in and around the installation, so if you want to ask questions I’m sure she’ll be happy to answer them (I guess, I don’t know, but she certainly was happy to speak to me). The installation is only here for a few more days, as it closes on Sunday 28th March. I’m hoping maybe to pop up and have a go at slow shutter speeds to get a bit of movement in the images. Claudia was happy for me to take pictures and requested that she was mentioned when displaying them (which I’m very happy to do, thanks Claudia).

The Rea Garden is located at 1-8 Floodgate Street, Birmingham B5. For more info about events check out the website BehindClosedDoors

March 23, 2010

Paternoster Row

Quite a small road, I often pass it on the bus. For once I got out and took some pictures…….

Arty one, I apologise

Colour, less arty theme

Wider

I should’ve ventured up to the end, after all it wasn’t very far.

March 21, 2010March 21, 2010

Product, now available

As mentioned in the news article I was looking to sell some images via the Created in Birmingham Shop, well I visited today and Chris (Unitt) accepted the prints. They should be retailing for a bargain price of £10, such a small price to pay for a SCPhoto original print*. Just look out for old Bull Ring pictures, hopefully they’ll go quite fast.

If they don’t sell then so be it, at least I’ve had a go. Also think mounted prints look sooooo much better than blu-tacked prints on walls.

*I’m being pretentious.

March 19, 2010March 20, 2010

An update: why not?

News (or lack of)

No new cameras for me, Focus was disappointing for me. There was some real bargains, but I didn’t want the new 70-200 f/2.8 IS MkII. Well I do, but it’s not a purchase I was looking for. So in terms of camera no change.

New Exciting Purchase!

The HDD storage issue I’ve had for a while has been resolved. Instead of a new purchase (well it sort of is) I decided to upgrade the drives in both of my Freecom Datatanks. So 4 HDD’s later I now have 3tb storage available. 2 1tb drives have gone into the Raid1 Datatank and the other 2 1tb drives are backup (of Raid) and storage (General download/old files). The Storage volume is spilt in 2 (800/200) with the smaller volume being exclusively used as the Time Machine backup volume

I have acquired a 500gb USB device to backup the storage volume. This frees up one USB port as my old WD My Book can now be retired (probably given away). Other surplus storage is the 1.6tb (4x 400gb) of drives removed from the Datatanks.

New Venture?

During a quick visit to the Created in Birmingham shop I spoke to Pete Ashton about submitting some of my photos to sell instore. Nothing set in stone (they might not be good enough), but i’ve got the mounts and the photos. Just need to put them both together and see how they look (must get some decent conservation tape). Still waiting for the mounts for the 7×5 photos to arrive though.

So if you haven’t committed suicide after reading the second paragraph you may be able to purchase SCPhoto originals from the CIB shop (or not if they aren’t up to the grade). The images are a small selection from my old Bull Ring Collection. Aside from the pictures I may look to produce an old Bull Ring book if the interest is there (only pictures though).

Future Purchase?

Maybe it’s the thought of producing real prints that has go me thinking about this potential purchase. A Calibration device! Not a straight forward, go on spend £70 and you sorted deal. I could spend £70 but it seems the next model is £90 and the the better model is £124 (WarehouseExpress – Spyder 3 Express, Pro and Elite). The £70 express could be fine, and it’s cheap(ish). But will I find it limiting? I’ll investigate.

Old

Nearly 40, not entirely comfortable with this prospect.

To Do

Must get round to reading the 5 sealed copies of Amateur Photographer some time soon.

FIN