The UK is awash with images of snow and winter weather. If you find yourself somewhere cold, this collection is designed to make you feel warmer and evoke memories of the summer and seaside, bathed by sunshine.
There is something invigorating about a trip to the coast, whether it’s exotic Oman, beautiful Mauritius, Australia’s majestic Pacific Coast – or even the homegrown seaside resort of Margate. Morocco, Mersea Island in Essex, Brighton and the Maldives also feature.
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.
Images from a beautiful, fascinating island nestling in the Indian Ocean. This collection encompasses the idyll of Mauritian beaches, the pure escape of holiday and the bustle of its capital city, Port Louis.
An excuse to bring a splash of colour to mikeosbornphoto. And as they say, blue is the colour, especially the brilliant tones of a swimming pool complete with the myriad of reflections and layers created by the slender bridge crossing this waterhole in Mauritius.
This is not a shot that can be converted to monochrome – the loss of blue would rip the joy and relaxation from gazing at the water. It’s brighter than the blue of the River Thames, peppered with bright blue sails, while the blue of the Pacific Ocean at Byron Bay in Australia is more natural and invigorating.
Does blue do it for you?…
It’s evening in a Mauritius hotel, and this beautiful structure leads you into the main part of the building, where dinner is served. We crossed the bridge several times, but this night capture is one of inviting light and enticing shadows. I hadn’t noticed until editing this shot that a couple are cosied up just inside the entrance.
In September, the sun still shines brightly on this Indian Ocean island – even though it’s the tail end of winter. The light casts intriguing shadows on the smart buildings of the resort, and provide warming food for thought as London is enveloped in the chill of autumn.
