Arctic Manchester

January 15, 2023January 15, 2023 / mikeosbornphoto / 2 Comments

How’s the weather where you live today? January has been mostly grey, miserable and sodden here in Manchester.

But in December there was a prolonged blast of frozen weather with bone-bitingly chilly temperatures.

The city turned into a different place, with stellar light throwing out glossy blues, industrial plumes of steam and strong reflections in still waters.

I spent a day with photographer William Perugini on his first visit to Manchester. It was a very cold, productive day filled with Arctic magic.

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Manchester on mobile

September 25, 2022September 25, 2022 / mikeosbornphoto / 2 Comments

Earlier this year I admitted that I didn’t like using my smartphone to take photographs. That was a good starting point to try to make more use of my phone camera.

My Samsung A51 is classed as ‘affordable’, so its camera doesn’t have superpowers. But it slides into my pocket easily and has been coming on more trips, including daily walks around Manchester city centre.

I’ll admit that I’m getting used to it and the results are fuelling stories on my Instagram account. Editing is minimal and the content is good enough to last for 24 hours.

Everything is still shot in portrait and I spend a lot of time looking up at Manchester’s varied architecture. Despite this progress, my camera has its own life which I still value more.

How do you juggle your smartphone and conventional camera? Let me know in the comments below!

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: Rochdale Canal

: Portland Street

: Deansgate Square

: Castlefield

: Spinningfields

: Castlefield

: Castlefield

: Exchange Quay

: Deansgate Square

: St Ann’s Square

: Deansgate Square

: Castlefield

: Castlefield Viaduct

: Great Northern

: Bridgewater Canal

Chasing fog

January 23, 2022January 22, 2022 / mikeosbornphoto / 4 Comments

We’re in the grip of winter in the UK, including thick fog which occasionally shrouds our cities and countryside.

I woke up to this one recent Sunday morning, quickly got dressed, grabbed my camera and went out into the cold.

It was swirling around the modern skyscrapers of my Manchester neighbourhood but seemed to be moving away with unexpected speed. But I could still see it creeping in the distance.

So I chased it over to our twin city of Salford, where it lay very deep by the Irwell river and an area called The Meadow. Wandering back into Manchester, I noticed the mist was having a second wave around the high rises.

Photographing the ghostly pall of fog isn’t always easy – have you tried? Please leave your comments below

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2021: Six of the most memorable photos

December 27, 2021December 27, 2021 / mikeosbornphoto / 10 Comments

2021. It was marked by the peaks and troughs of Covid-19. It was the first full year that I didn’t travel abroad. But I explored closer to home and pressed on with my photography.

I’ve picked six memorable shots from the year and tell you why they’ve stayed with me. You can vote for your own favourite at the end of this post. Hello 2022, we’re looking at you…

A BEACH OF OUR OWN
Location: Heysham, Lancashire
Month: August

This was a memorable day trip to Heysham on the Lancashire coast. Just two figures walk by the blue expanse of Morecambe Bay. The good weather and coastal scenery was a welcome break from the density of Manchester. TAP/CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS

COASTAL FURNITURE
Location: St Anne’s, Lancashire
Month: April

This my first trip to the seaside in 15 months due to the pandemic. This shot combines my loves of coastal landscape and architecture, with a sluice for an inland lake taking centre stage during a walk along the Fylde Coast. TAP/CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS

ESTUARY SLANT
Location: Humber Estuary, East Yorkshire
Month: August

Travel restrictions meant a staycation mini-break to Hull was on the cards. It also included a visit to the mighty Humber Bridge, a moment of real excitement for me. Being able to walk beneath the structure was a pleasant surprise. TAP/CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS

PROMENADE
Location: Alexandra Park, Manchester
Month: January

Alexandra Park is a popular place for walkers here in Manchester. A spell of wintry weather the other side of the Christmas period hit when a new wave of coronavirus was in full swing. A memorable time for maybe the wrong reasons. TAP/CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS

STOCKPORT SILHOUETTE
Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester
Month: October

It was the end of a lovely day exploring Stockport’s old town, which didn’t fail to impress. Dusk was reaching in and the town’s magnificent railway viaduct and rooftops created a satisfying frame. Man-made and nature working together. TAP/CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS

THE ONLY WAY IS UP
Location: Deansgate Square, Manchester
Month: June

A place very close to home that has regularly featured in my photographs, the skyscrapers of Deansgate Square in Manchester. A public terrace was opened this year, allowing me to lie back and capture them from this perspective. A reminder of warm summer weather. TAP/CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS

Manchester moments

June 20, 2021June 19, 2021 / mikeosbornphoto / 8 Comments

Here’s a gallery of recent moments here in Manchester, from walks, passing the time of day and appreciating this vibrant city.

On a warm summer’s morning I laid down in the shadow of Deansgate Square, our tallest buildings.

There was a dusk walk along the Manchester Ship Canal when the sky was dramatic and reflections pristine. A stunning, vibrant sunset and capturing a city centre robin complete the set.

Do you think the best things in life are free?