End of the world

This remote nub of land on the coast of south-east England is like none other. Dungeness is not a fully formed seaside resort packed with amusement arcades and throngs of noisy sun seekers. It is a strange place, dotted with sturdy little cottages, two lighthouses and even a nuclear power station. An added touch of the surreal is a miniature steam railway that whistles its way to a most unlikely station.

The scrubby, shingle landscape is scattered with beached boats, tumbledown sheds and long-forgotten waste. But an array of beautiful flowers thrive in this apparent wasteland, while there is a sense of tranquility close to the sea.

I always wanted to visit Dungeness with my camera, but thought it too remote to reach without a car. It has a wealth of architecture, natural wonders and landscape to capture. But above all else is the depth of mood that you find there. Desolate and distant, even slightly unnerving – but fascinating and thoroughly photogenic.

Click first image to launch the gallery

Tags: abandoned, boats, Dungeness, electricity pylons, end of the world, England's desert, florals, Kent, lighthouses, macro, nature, nuclear power station, photography, seaside, surreal landscape, travel

29 thoughts on “End of the world”

Rachael on September 26, 2015 at 12:23 said:

Very interesting collection that captures the essence of the place.

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- mikeosbornphoto on September 26, 2015 at 12:39 said:
  
  Thank you Rachael. The next challenge is to capture it on a dank, dismal day. I’m honestly not sure if the mood would alter a great deal.
  
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jdtphotography.co.uk on September 20, 2015 at 12:23 said:

Well I hope after such a lengthy stay that you are not glowing too much Mike. Really great eclectic mix of images from a place that I should really explore, time permitting. You have really captured the essence of this site. Hope you have a great week. Best regards, James

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- mikeosbornphoto on September 20, 2015 at 14:05 said:
  
  Thanks so much, James. It really was a highlight. I hope you’re able to get there at some point.
  
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leecleland on September 13, 2015 at 21:54 said:

Great series as always Mike. Fascinating place and your macros have an edge to them not many others can get, compositionally and technically.

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- mikeosbornphoto on September 13, 2015 at 21:57 said:
  
  Hi Lee, glad you enjoyed our little bit of surreal wilderness over here. And thanks so much for your comment about the macros… it helped that I decided to switch lenses part the way through the expedition.
  
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  - leecleland on September 13, 2015 at 22:04 said:
    
    Good choice Mike
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on September 13, 2015 at 22:09 said:
      
      The macro did some of the landscapes as I couldn’t be bothered to switch back again – but copes admirably at closer range.
      
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      - leecleland on September 15, 2015 at 12:41 said:
        
        What macro did you get in the end, I know you mentioned it in a post but I can’t remember. It does a great job.
        
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        mikeosbornphoto on September 15, 2015 at 18:02 said:
        
        It’s the Fuji 60mm which works pretty well. It also stands in as a regular lens but has some limitations.
        
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        leecleland on September 16, 2015 at 10:20 said:
        
        Thanks for that Mike I somehow thought it was 90mm, oh well doesn’t matter, takes great macros or is it the person behind the camera :)
        
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        mikeosbornphoto on September 19, 2015 at 13:51 said:
        
        Well they do say the equipment isn’t the issue, it’s whose hands it’s in…
        
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        leecleland on September 21, 2015 at 09:39 said:
        
        So true
        
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The Crazy Crone on September 13, 2015 at 18:09 said:

Took me back to my childhood when I lived in Ramsgate, then Sandwich, and we’d talk about Dungeness and the nuclear power station being built there. It always looks fascinating.

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- mikeosbornphoto on September 13, 2015 at 19:56 said:
  
  Thank you Mo, I’m glad it evoked some memories. It’s not like any place I can think of.
  
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Robyn Graham Photography on September 13, 2015 at 16:47 said:

Great work – as always – Mike!

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- mikeosbornphoto on September 13, 2015 at 19:52 said:
  
  Thanks so much, Robyn – glad you enjoyed this little surreal tour!
  
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biankonera on September 13, 2015 at 14:27 said:

Every shot a story. Beautiful!

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- mikeosbornphoto on September 13, 2015 at 19:53 said:
  
  Thank you very much, I’m glad they had that effect :)
  
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ckponderings on September 13, 2015 at 12:20 said:

A place to lose yourself in, hauntingly desolate and yet unerringly beautiful. Nicely captured, Mike.

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- mikeosbornphoto on September 13, 2015 at 12:22 said:
  
  Thank you Richard. Indeed, a place to get absorbed in, if slightly creepily. Have you been? It’s not so far from your neck of the woods.
  
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  - ckponderings on September 13, 2015 at 18:24 said:
    
    I’ve been there several times, but photographically only once, and then ended up the wrong side of the power station! I need to go back, really.
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on September 13, 2015 at 19:54 said:
      
      Oh do it, Richard. Well worth the effort. Possibly not on a wet chilly day… but then again?
      
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Cos on September 13, 2015 at 09:57 said:

Did you wear any protection during your visit, or are you now glowing from some nuclear radiation? :-(

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- mikeosbornphoto on September 13, 2015 at 09:59 said:
  
  Ha! Well I did wonder about some of the plants, but that’s mainly my ignorance of botany. You’re used to windmill power, Koos ;-)
  
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Kiki on September 13, 2015 at 09:55 said:

Very nice and interesting mix; looks unusual to all be found in one location.

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- mikeosbornphoto on September 13, 2015 at 09:57 said:
  
  Thanks Kiki. It’s a very unusual and quite amazing place. You could stay for a very long time with your camera.
  
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  - Kiki on September 13, 2015 at 10:11 said:
    
    Yes, I believe that you could spend a lot of time with the camera in a place like that. I think you have a very good eye, though, regarding finding and highlighting such unusual and interesting details!
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on September 13, 2015 at 10:16 said:
      
      It’s a bit of a schlep from London, but well worth the effort – it has it all! And thank you… it’s nice to have such a rich backdrop to explore.
      
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