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Friday Photo By Karen Strunks

I’ve never set foot in Alpha Tower. Never taken the lift to the top floor to see the views. In fact, I’ve barely acknowledged it’s existence on the city’s skyline. However, it could prove a good viewing point over the city with the benefit of not being able see Alpha Tower itself! Sorry, that’s a bit harsh. It’s just that it look like such officious and unwelcoming building and doesn’t do anything to tempt one inside – whether you have any business in there or not. It doesn’t arouse any curiosity. I guess it’s just a bit outdated looking especially since there are new tower blocks on the….erm, block. Oh great. Now I’m feeling sorry for it. Here are a few facts about Alpha Tower from Sky Scraper News: Alpha Tower was constructed as part of the ATV Studios being constructed in Birmingham City Centre in 1965. It was completed in 1970 and has been the cities tallest tower block for the last 35 years. Alpha tower lost it’s title of the Tallest tower block in Birmingham when the 130m Holloway Circus Tower was completed mid 2005 Have a great weekend! Until next Friday…

A little peice of Birmingham history for you today! I’ve passed these statues countless times over the years and had never given much thought to them. To be honest, I don’t often look over to that side of the street very much, the buildings behind the statue aren’t very attractive and the open space outside the Rep theatre always manages to turn my head. However, it was only when I had my camera in hand and ‘seeing’ more than I normally would that the statues finally got my attention. It helped that it was a bright day and the gold was glinting in the sun. Taken from Birmingham City Council’s website: “Outside the House of Sport (formerly the Register Office) on Broad Street stands the statue of Boulton, Watt and Murdoch, nicknamed ‘The Golden Boys’ or ‘The Carpet Salesmen’. It is the work of William Bloye, formerly head of sculpture at Birmingham School of Art and was unveiled in 1956, although preliminary designs were drawn up in 1938. The larger than life size figures are in bronze, with a gold finish, on a pedestal of Portland stone and are depicted discussing engine plans. The piece is in a “temporary” position...

Last Sunday was cold. And wet. And windy. It was also the day of the Birmingham Flickr meet up. There was a surprisingly good turn out considering the elements. I guess photographers are a hardy breed ;) If you would like to join the Brum Flickr Group, click here and sign up. The group meets up once a month and ventures to different parts of the city. I took a wander around Brindly Place. Unsurprisingly, given the weather, the outside dining areas were deserted. If you have been following my Birmingham at 4am project you will know that I really like empty spaces in the busy city, so I had to stop and capture the image. If you would like to see more of my pictures and find out about my latest projects, please visit my blog. See you next Friday!

The Cube is currently under construction in the Mailbox area of the city centre. It is going to house a mixture of apartments, hotel, rooftop restaurant, offices and shops. Quite a combination all under one roof. If you lived and worked there, you need never leave it! And it’s going to be huge. It will dominate the surrounding area and dwarf the buildings in the Mailbox area. If you visit The Cube’s website you can take a 3D tour of the apartments. It reminds me of a giant jigsaw puzzle – though the architect, Ken Shuttleworth, describes it as ‘an enchanting jewellery box’. Jigsaw or jewellery box, it’s going to be an interesting addition to Birmingham’s skyline.

This 39 story glass structure can be found on Holloway Circus Queensway and at 122 metres it is the tallest building in Birmingham. Next time you are passing by the Raddison, stand on the pavement and face the building, tilt your head back and look right up at the top of the building – feel the world spinning! If you would like to see more of my photos and read about my photography projects, please visit my blog. See you next Friday!

By Karen Strunks – click to enlarge This weeks Friday Photo hails from the Custard Factory in Digbeth. From the Custard Factory’s website: Six hundred paces from the Bull Ring is The Custard Factory, Birmingham’s revolutionary new arts and media quarter. Built 100 years ago it is now home to a hive of young creative companies, galleries, fine artists, independent shops and terrific restaurants. One of Birmingham’s biggest nightclubs and a number of renowned live music venues are located here. All are part of a vigorous working community that knows how to party too. This was taken on a Sunday stroll around Digbeth to primarily take pictures of the all the old pubs in the area, but I couldn’t help but be drawn into the Custard Factory. It struck me at how much more I ‘see’ when I have my camera in hand. I have been to the Custard Factory quite a few times overs the years, and yet hadn’t noticed these walkways before. I think this is one of the most angular shots I’ve taken. I was quite taken with the window of sky framed by a black overhang and the walls of the walkway, but what really...

It’s time for another Friday photo! All the photos featured here will be images of Birmingham; sometimes the city centre, other times, such as this, of the suburbs. It was early one morning and I was driving to Acocks Green along Broad Road on my way to my photography class. It was a very foggy morning, as you can see. As I was driving along I noticed a park that was particularly atmospheric and had to pull over to see what I could capture. Normally I go to great lengths to avoid ‘noise’ on photos. However, upon viewing the picture on my computer, and changing it to black and white, the picture just seemed to ask for some. I think with the added graininess the picture harks to another era. You may see more of my photos on my blog. Until next Friday…!

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Friday Photo By Karen Strunks

Friday Photo by Karen Strunks

Friday Photo By Karen Strunks

Friday Photo By Karen Strunks

Friday Photo By Karen Strunks

Friday Photo By Karen Strunks

Friday Photo by Karen Strunks

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