sunlight

Bokeh blobs

/ mikeosbornphoto / 2 Comments

The rain had been falling in pulses all afternoon. This was a welcome break in the weather when the sun streamed through the trees. I caught the light while the lens was at rest, creating a whole frame of bokeh and orbs. 

With a second shot, I applied the digital paintbrush to make a blue frame punched through with light.

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Winter bokeh

Bokeh in blue ink

After the rain, the moisture-dappled surfaces of some parked cars were irresistible to shoot with my macro lens. The fine focus honed in on the droplets, while more bokeh was revealed. All hail the wet weather!

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Velvet sheen - clean (2)

The sunlight collection

/ mikeosbornphoto / 17 Comments

The UK is languishing beneath freezing grey cloud, and some of the country is paralysed by snowfall. We expect a transition to a gentler climate now and to be wishing winter farewell.

I’ve done the next best thing and put together a collection of images which demonstrate that Britain knows what sunshine is.  I remember feeling warmed and content when taking them – hopefully it works for you too.

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See these warm, sunlit UK posts:

An Essex isle

In the Olympic Stadium’s Shadow

London’s defences

Early morning mall

/ mikeosbornphoto / 8 Comments

Shopping malls are, by design, buildings running alive with people and activity. If you want the place to yourself, it’s best to turn up early when the doors are open but the retail outlets are still closed.

This is what I did with Westfield London, literally a stone’s throw away from my home in west London. The few figures I found were en route to work. It was the time to enjoy the vast acres of polished floors, glasshouse-style roof and appreciate the reflective, glinting materials that make up the building.

And for once in this place, there was no-one to disturb me.

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Visit Department Store for photographs of a famous London shop

Paddington rays

/ mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

There was no chance of this happening in London today.

Yes, another day of heavy clouds, rain and little decent light for photography, let alone this beautiful sight. It’s shining through the magnificent canopy of Paddington railway station in London – the gateway to the west of England.

I saw this coming down a flight of stairs, stopped to capture it and nearly took a tumble. It was worth the risk, as the rays came out very well.

Taking photographs is almost all about the light, isn’t it?