The naked pier

This was my first visit to England’s north-west coast since resettling in Manchester. I chose the resort of Southport on the Merseyside coast, famed for its long, graceful pier.

The day was anything but promising, with a chill wind and a thick cover of cloud. It looked likely to be a day of moody photographs, with flat skies and little sunlight. But something else happened. The tide gradually ebbed away, leaving beautiful expanses of sand and the pier entirely exposed.

The colour palette was grey and a pale blue, giving a serenity you wouldn’t expect from a busy seaside resort. I’ll just have to go back when the sky is screaming blue and the sunshine is cascading down…

Click first image to view the gallery

Click to enlarge

Tags: architecture, low tide, Merseyside, naked pier, nature, north of England, photography, Scouse Riviera, seaside, Southport, Southport pier, travel

22 thoughts on “The naked pier”

Noeline Smith on April 11, 2017 at 09:47 said:

Personally, I really like dull overcast days and the mood that they bring – these are fabulous ‘resort in winter’ images, full of atmosphere ….

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- mikeosbornphoto on April 11, 2017 at 12:32 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Noeline. I suspected you might be a fan of more subtle conditions. I’m interested to see how Southport measures up on a blistering summer’s day…
  
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  - Noeline Smith on April 17, 2017 at 11:01 said:
    
    Maybe some dramatic B&W instead?!
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on April 21, 2017 at 20:11 said:
      
      Yes, I’m partial to a bit of B&W on the most colourful of days :)
      
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ckponderings on April 3, 2017 at 17:42 said:

Wow! Coastal Flight is stunning, Mike! One of my favourites of yours even before I saw the birds in the sky!! Loving your work, sir, loving your work! :)

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- mikeosbornphoto on April 3, 2017 at 19:02 said:
  
  Thank you most kindly, Richard :) It started out as a day with little promise and turned into a special one.
  
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Cos on April 2, 2017 at 10:03 said:

Beautiful art work on the pier. I love the grey tones in the photos.

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- mikeosbornphoto on April 2, 2017 at 12:17 said:
  
  Thank you Koos. I thought the day would be a disaster and I was very pleasantly surprised.
  
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  - Cos on April 2, 2017 at 13:19 said:
    
    Even grey days can be beautiful at the sea side.
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on April 2, 2017 at 13:40 said:
      
      I completely agree! There must be similar days on the Dutch coastline.
      
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      - Cos on April 2, 2017 at 13:57 said:
        
        I suppose so. I’m not very often on the Dutch coastline…
        
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        mikeosbornphoto on April 2, 2017 at 13:58 said:
        
        You’re a land lover. You should get your toes in the sand more often!
        
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        Cos on April 2, 2017 at 14:00 said:
        
        I’m a city lover and most cities are on land ;)
        
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        mikeosbornphoto on April 2, 2017 at 14:02 said:
        
        London? New York? Dubai?… Blah blah blah??!
        
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        Cos on April 2, 2017 at 20:46 said:
        
        Okay, we’ll try London in May.
        
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        mikeosbornphoto on April 2, 2017 at 20:56 said:
        
        You need to see the coast. Get your feet wet.
        
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        Cos on April 3, 2017 at 09:24 said:
        
        Or, we’re going to see some great art, walk around some nice neighbourhoods, do some shopping and eat great food ;)
        
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        mikeosbornphoto on April 3, 2017 at 14:52 said:
        
        I’m confused now. Are you making a state visit to Brexit Britain?
        
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        Cos on April 5, 2017 at 20:59 said:
        
        It’s now or never. In a few years the UK is a forbidden land ;)
        
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        mikeosbornphoto on April 8, 2017 at 08:24 said:
        
        Like North Korea.
        
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Jane Lurie on April 2, 2017 at 04:37 said:

I love your eye for minimalism, patterns and detail, Mike. Very creative series.

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- mikeosbornphoto on April 2, 2017 at 12:20 said:
  
  Hello Jane and thank you so very much. I must admit this location did lend itself to some of my favoured ways of taking photographs.
  
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