A seat of learning at the heart of Westside provided the perfect inspiration for photographer Elliott Brown to host a month in the BID’s 2022 calendar.
Elliott was able to return to the Library of Birmingham in Broad Street last summer for the first time in 18 months after various lockdowns, and took photos of the Discovery Terrace on Level 3.
And one of his images of the popular outdoor garden terrace was subsequently chosen by a judging panel to represent March in this year’s BID calendar.
Elliott, aged 39, who wins £75 worth of vouchers to spend in selected Westside venues, said he took up digital photography more than 15 years ago when going on holiday.
He said: “I then started taking photos around my home city of Birmingham from about 2009, as well as other areas in the West Midlands such as Stratford-upon-Avon.
“I’m interested in Birmingham history and mostly take photos of buildings, new as well as old, and statues, sculptures and public transport.
“It gets me out of the house and I get to walk and explore where I go, and learn the history of places when I later process and edit my photos to go up onto Flickr.”
Elliott, who works as a senior data entry clerk, said he was pleasantly surprised to get a photo into the BID calendar.
He added: “It’s of the Discovery Terrace at the Library of Birmingham, taken last August. It was my first time back in the library since before the first lockdown. I usually go up to the terrace to get the updates of the views of Paradise Birmingham, Arena Central, and towards Symphony Hall, and the ICC.”
Elliott said he is no stranger to having photos published in Birmingham calendars over the years, including the Birmingham Gems Charity Calendar, part of Birmingham We Are.
He is also a regular contributor to the Birmingham Post & Mail Flickr group, with his published photos ranging from canals and gardens to modern or historic buildings.
Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, said: “Well done Elliott on winning one of the coveted spaces in our calendar. I think the wide range of pictures from various photographers has really brought this to life in 2022, and it’s something we’re looking to repeat next year.”
More of Elliott’s photos can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ell-r-brown/ and on the Birmingham We Are website: https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/peoplewithpassion/ElliottBrown
