Former cinema manager and film critic Michael McLean knows a good image when he sees one.
He therefore had no hesitation in snapping this night-time photo of Centenary Square in all its glory while walking back from the nearby Cineworld cinema in Broad Street.
Michael’s photo now adorns Westside BID’s 2022 calendar for November, for which he has won £75 worth of vouchers to spend in selected local venues.
It follows the month of October which depicts a canal-side scene under cloud-filled skies, although the photographer responsible for that month was anonymous.
Michael, aged 57, from Gravelly Hill, Birmingham, took his winning photo on his mobile phone one evening in October last year.
He said: “I was walking back from Cineworld around 9pm and it was as simple as I looked up and saw the shot.
“I like film, art, photography, images. I like the impact an image can have on a person.
“My background is film. I used to manage the Odeon cinema in New Street and before that I was a film critic for various newspapers, magazines and blogs.”
Michael now works in business development, while also being involved with Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and a mental health charity. He also recently completed a stint as venue operations manager at the University of Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games.
He explained that he entered the calendar competition in order to share his photo.
He added: “I liked the image I took and was really pleased when I learnt it was to be included in the calendar. I am proud of Birmingham, which is much maligned, so I wanted people to see how good it is.”
Westside BID’s focus on the November 2022 winner comes as deadlines approach for a new photo competition for our 2023 calendar with another £1,000 worth of prizes up for grabs – plus a fully-funded exhibition space.
Entries must be received by 10 November 2022. See here for full details: https://westsidebid.co.uk/2022/10/11/win-cash-exhibition-space-and-see-your-photo-shine-in-westsides-2023-calendar-competition/
