Capture the Magic of Birmingham’s Christmas Markets
Few places in the UK feel as festive as the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market — twinkling lights, cosy chalets, and the smell of roasted nuts in the air. It’s a dream setting for photographers, whether you’re shooting on your phone or DSLR.
But between the bustling crowds, low light, and bright decorations, it’s easy for your photos to end up blurry or flat. Don’t worry — the PicTours team has you covered. Here’s how to capture the warmth, colour, and atmosphere of Birmingham’s Christmas Markets like a pro.
1. Arrive at the Perfect Time — Golden Hour to Blue Hour
Timing makes all the difference. The best time to shoot the markets is just after sunset, during the blue hour. That’s when the sky turns a deep royal blue, the lights start to glow, and your photos get that magical contrast.
PicTour tip: Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset to set up. You’ll catch the changing light and avoid some of the evening crowds.
2. Embrace the Glow — Shoot Without Flash
Flashes flatten the scene and ruin the soft glow of fairy lights. Instead, work with the existing light:
- Use a wide aperture (f/1.8 – f/4) to let in more light.
- Keep your ISO between 800–1600 — higher if needed.
- Drop your shutter speed to around 1/60s (but stabilise your camera or lean on a surface).
📸 On a phone? Use Night Mode or Pro Mode if available. Tap to expose for the lights, not the shadows — it’ll keep that festive sparkle.
3. Capture the Details That Make It Magical
Don’t just shoot the big picture — focus on the tiny festive details that tell the story:
- The steam rising from hot chocolate.
- Hand-carved ornaments on display.
- Reflections of lights in glass mugs.
Try using portrait mode or a macro lens for close-ups. Blurring the background will make your details pop and give that dreamy Christmas look.
4. Shoot the Crowds — Without Losing the Magic
Birmingham’s Christmas Market is full of life — and people are part of that story. The trick is to use motion creatively rather than fighting it.
Try this:
- Use a slower shutter speed (1/10s – 1/30s) to blur moving people while keeping the background sharp.
- Or freeze the moment by increasing your ISO and shutter speed.
- Get low and shoot upward toward the lights and stalls for a more dynamic perspective.
✨ PicTour insight: Crowds can create leading lines — use them to guide the viewer’s eye through the photo.
5. Use Reflections for Creative Shots
Wet pavements, glass ornaments, or puddles make incredible reflective surfaces. Frame your subject so that the lights reflect across the ground or in windows.
If it’s raining, even better! Birmingham’s streets shine beautifully at night after a drizzle.
6. Find the Best Photo Spots
Some of the most photogenic spots in the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market include:
- Victoria Square: The heart of the market — perfect for wide shots and crowd scenes.
- New Street: Great for leading lines with glowing stalls stretching into the distance.
- Council House backdrop: A stunning architectural frame for night photography.
- Cathedral Square (St Philip’s Place): Quieter, with a more traditional, intimate feel.
📍 PicTour recommendation: Walk from Victoria Square toward the Cathedral for a mix of bustling market energy and peaceful festive corners.
7. Edit with Warmth and Glow
After your shoot, editing brings out the Christmas spirit.
Editing checklist:
- Slightly increase warmth and vibrance for golden tones.
- Add gentle contrast to make lights pop.
- Reduce highlights to recover detail in bright bulbs.
- Apply a subtle vignette to draw focus to the centre.
📱 Editing apps: Lightroom Mobile, Snapseed, or VSCO are perfect for this.
8. Tell a Story Through Your Photos
Think of your photos as a visual Christmas journey:
- Arriving at the market (crowds, lights, signs)
- The food and drink (close-ups, textures)
- The atmosphere (candid shots, performers)
- A final night scene (wide shot with bokeh lights)
Together, they’ll tell a complete festive story — perfect for Instagram or a holiday photo journal.
Bonus: Join a PicTour This Christmas 🎄
Want to level up your festive photography skills? PicTours runs creative photo walks and tours that help you capture the best seasonal scenes across the UK. Whether you’re exploring Edinburgh’s twinkling streets or Birmingham’s bustling markets, you’ll learn practical tips for low-light photography, composition, and storytelling.
👉 Book your PicTour today and make your Christmas memories shine brighter than ever.
Final Thoughts
The Birmingham Christmas Markets are full of energy, colour, and warmth — and with a few simple techniques, you can capture all that festive magic beautifully.
Arrive early, embrace the glow, and don’t be afraid to get creative with your angles and reflections. The key is to photograph the feeling as much as the scene.
This year, let your photos tell the story of Christmas — one twinkling light at a time.
