A Christmas collection

December 17, 2023December 17, 2023 / mikeosbornphoto / Leave a comment

Bah humbug. It’s no secret that I’m not a huge fan of Christmas.

But the warm lights and cold December weather are beautiful to photograph. READ MORE BELOW

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: Salford (2023)

: Manchester (2020)

: Peak District (2017)

: London (2015)

: Salford (2021)

: Manchester (2022)

: Manchester (2022)

: London (2015)

: Manchester (2017)

: London (2015)

: Manchester (2022)

: London (2015)

: Manchester (2020)

: Salford (2023)

: Manchester (2020)

I must have an affection for Christmas lights because I’ve been photographing them for years without even realising it.

My last London flat was bright and white enough for still life sessions, while Manchester and Salford have been providing light and chill since 2016.

In 2018 I passed over a familiar Christmas with a memorable trip to Chile, where the varied and grand landscape took centre stage.

Whether you’re a Scrooge or a bright-eyed Christmas elf, enjoy the festivities.

Christmas in Manchester

December 20, 2020December 19, 2020 / mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

Christmas may be a smaller celebration in 2020, but it hasn’t stopped Manchester putting on its finest illuminations, bringing bling and bokeh to the city. READ MORE BELOW

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: The Ivy, Spinningfields

: Manchester Cathedral

: Exchange Square

: Exchange Square

: Spinningfields

: Royal Exchange Arcade

: Exchange Square

: St Peter’s Square

: House of Fraser, Deansgate

: Deansgate

: Spinningfields

: Deansgate Square

: St Peter’s Square

: Manchester Cathedral

I chose a dry, mild evening to walk a large circuit around Manchester city centre, stopping often to capture the lights.

There’s restaurant The Ivy’s declaration of love to the city, which has become an Instagram hit.

But my favourite is the cathedral tree which is a glittering frame with not a pine needle in sight.

The scourge of Covid is on the rise again and this Christmas is like no other. No matter how you’re spending it this year, have a safe and happy one.

A Christmas album

December 20, 2015 / mikeosbornphoto / 14 Comments

Christmas means a lot of things to an awful lot of people. Even to a photographer – who doesn’t really enjoy the festive season – it means something. Beautiful shiny little objects, blazing colours, warm light, bold bokeh and a great opportunity to capture a particular mood. I took my bagful of seasonal booty and photographed them in full daylight, then at dusk with candlelight and some background fairy lights.

I hope you enjoy this little essence of the season and have a very enjoyable Christmas.

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Christmas greetings

December 25, 2014 / mikeosbornphoto / 13 Comments

A happy Christmas from mikeosbornphoto in the only way I know how – with a photograph.

Bouquet of bokeh

December 7, 2014December 15, 2014 / mikeosbornphoto / 38 Comments

The Japanese word bokeh is defined as “the visual quality of the out-of-focus areas of a photographic image, especially as rendered by a particular lens”.

It truly comes to life when you play with light. The December nights in London start early and last a long time. In the urban area of Shepherds Bush, the darkness is punctuated by streams of traffic, street lights – and twinkling Christmas decorations.

I prowled the streets with my macro lens, fooled into focusing on nearby surfaces to attain abstraction and capture a stream of bokeh on a winter’s evening.