Night city colours

September 7, 2013 / mikeosbornphoto / 12 Comments

My first attempt at digital art was quite a revelation. I realised that photographs could be totally recreated with some careful touches. They could be strikingly infused with colour or be pared back from a glaring night scene to a subtle watercolour.

For this set, I look night captures from three cities – London, Dubai and Brisbane – and applied similar techniques. The photos all begin their journey by being inverted, and are then subject to other effects.

This time I learnt that layer upon layer of effects can be applied, meaning the possibilities are very wide. This is experimentation, a work in progress, not to mention the birth of new pieces of work.

St Paul’s Cathedral in London features on three occasions. Photographically this is an astounding building, and can be recreated in numerous ways with the digital paintbox.

Click on first image for the full gallery experience

London

Dubai

Brisbane

London

Brisbane

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The abstract collection

April 21, 2013April 21, 2013 / mikeosbornphoto / 22 Comments

“Relating to or denoting art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but rather seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, colours, and textures”.

That is the dictionary definition of the word abstract, when used to describe a form of art – including photography. Inspired by the 30 photographers project that I recently took part in, here’s a selected gallery of my images that fall into that category.

The mysterious yet intriguing comes from architecture, close-up work and can be found practically anywhere. It’s an area which stretches the mind and challenges the eye, and can be interpreted so many ways.

Click first image for full gallery experience

Click here to explore the other collections

My favourite shots of 2012

January 5, 2013January 5, 2013 / mikeosbornphoto / 12 Comments

I shared the most popular shots of 2012 with you recently, based on site statistics. Here is my own personal photographic standouts of the year, which is a completely different selection and in no particular order.

Click on the links or launch the gallery below:

Beached starfish: I love the fine details of this macro. Taken on a Mauritius beach, it reminds me of being warm.

Cable car cluster: A view of London’s newer attractions has a pinkish sepia tinge which I was pleased to capture.

Dad: This portrait of my father was taken in 2009 and has been a treasured memory since his death in February.

Diamond dew: I’m proud of this moist green close-up taken at London’s Kew Gardens.

Disco tunnel: This electric colour-splashed composite stands out a mile and was discovered by accident.

Dubai divers: Surely this is most extravagant and photogenic shopping mall water feature?

Island jetty: This shot taken in Australia has blocks of colour and the neat composition I crave in photos.

Millennium Bridge: A shot which made my confidence in night photography grow and shows London at its best.

Shades of green: A simple green frame taken at a special spot and is my favourite website header.

Winter walk: I love this bright scene from Windsor, frozen in sepia and full of life.

Click first image to launch the gallery

: Beached starfish

: Cable car cluster

: Dad

: Disco tunnel

: Dubai divers

: Island jetty

: Millennium Bridge

: Winter walk

Top shots of 2012

December 30, 2012 / mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

Another year will soon be consigned to history, and I thought I’d share with you the 10 favourite photographs of 2012. This group is determined by statistics and most clicked – so they are your favourites.

Click the first image to view the gallery

1. Brighton

2. Brighton

3. London

4. Dubai

5. Primrose Hill, London

6. Cairns, Australia

7. Brighton

8. Fes, Morocco

9. Primrose Hill, London

10. Essaouria, Morocco

My home city and source for many shots – London – hasn’t fared too well with only three in the top 10. A trio of night photographs from the coastal town of Brighton rate very highly, with two of them at the top of the pile. Images of Morocco and Dubai’s futuristic Burj Khalifa also feature. Let me know what you think of the results.

The Dubai collection

October 20, 2012October 7, 2020 / mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

This is a city that sits between the Arabian desert and the sea. It’s an ultra-modern swathe of high rise buildings and spectacles created to dazzle visitors, while there are still traditional pockets left intact. Love or loathe Dubai, it is a hugely photogenic place.