Little Australia

May 4, 2014July 30, 2019 / mikeosbornphoto / 27 Comments

This island state sitting at the foot of vast Australia has a charm and mood all of its own – at times familiar to this Briton who took a road trip there recently. We took in main cities Hobart and Launceston, the stunning east coast and the changing character of its north side and interior.

If you’re tempted to go to Tasmania armed with your camera, here are a few reasons to go south…

Its coastal landscape is second to none, including gold and orange rocks
If you’re lucky with the weather, the sky is an amazing azure, thanks to a lack of European pollution
The towns and cities have a beguiling mix of colonial and contemporary architecture – and unique charm
Its clarity is great for night photography – and a chance to catch the Southern Lights

Click first image for full gallery experience

Swansea

Launceston

Freers Beach

Launceston

Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart

Freers Beach

Penguin

Burnie

Bicheno

Hobart

Launceston

Bicheno

Swansea

Penguin – the town where they make numerous appearances

Ross

Bicheno

Swansea

Hobart

Ross

Oatlands

Budapest album

March 16, 2014July 30, 2019 / mikeosbornphoto / 24 Comments

Here are my reasons why the Hungarian capital is a great place to visit with a camera and tripod.

It’s an elegant city with many architectural landmarks to capture, including the stunning parliament building and the bridges which cross the Danube. There is always something to shoot.

Budapest is packed with attractive detail, from its stonework to iron decorations. Your macro lens can come into its own here.

It’s a city with views. Clamber up Castle Hill or to the imposing Liberty Statue and you’ll enjoy a bird’s eye view of Budapest. A great chance to practise those panoramic shots.

After dark, the city shimmers and is ripe for night photography. Some landmarks are so well illuminated that long exposures and a tripod aren’t necessary.

Enjoy my view of Budapest and I hope you have a chance to see it soon – it’s also a place worth returning to.

Click first image for the full gallery experience

Hungary’s splendid parliament building, set on the Danube

A dramatic dusk sky captures people crossing the Elizabeth Bridge

The Iron Curtain sculpture outside the House of Terror, telling of Hungary’s darker days

The Chain Bridge at night, streaming with traffic

Hungarian flags catching the breeze on Castle Hill close to the presidential palace

Night-time from Castle Hill

The colours and detail of a Pest street

From the Chain Bridge, the Danube catches the reflections of Buda

Part of an iron door grille. Budapest bursts with these small details

The parliament building and surrounds as seen from the roof of St Stephen’s Basilica

Freedom Bridge at dusk. The ornate green structure should be twinned with London’s Hammersmith Bridge

The rooftops from St Stephen’s Basilica

Budapest ironwork, curvaceous and elegant

The magnificent inner dome of St Stephen’s

An illuminated part of Castle Hill, including the Matthias Church to the left

A proud stone lion found on a building in Pest

The parliament building in its night glory

A panorama of Pest, seen from the elevated Liberty Statue

Across to Margaret Bridge from Castle Hill after dark

The Liberty Statue, adapted from communist times, breaks into a perfect sky over the Hungarian capital

A stunning pink dusk backlights the ornate Freedom Bridge

Part of St Stephen’s cathedral silhouetted against a winter sky

A pair of Castle Hill windows reflect the yellow building opposite

The Chain Bridge from Buda – the city’s most famous bridge

The bells of Buda’s Lutheran Church

The House of Terror, which tells the grim story of Budapest under the Nazis and Communists

St Stephen’s Basilica, imposing and glorious after dark

Faith buildings

January 5, 2014October 9, 2021 / mikeosbornphoto / 22 Comments

They come all in manner of shapes and sizes, for an array of worshipful purposes.

Even if you don’t hold a particular faith (I fall into that category), it’s hard not to find these buildings impressive and moving on some level.

They are invariably engaging to capture in photographs, occasionally challenging in the dim of candlelight. In some cases, you are not permitted to use your camera.

This tiny fraction of faith buildings I’ve had the pleasure of visiting encompasses six religions. Each place is arresting in its own way, while they all have a shared mystique.

Tap/click first image for gallery view

: St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, Northern Ireland – Catholicism

: Neasden Temple, London – Hinduism

: Russian Orthodox Church, Gunnersbury, London

: Greensted Church, Essex – Anglicanism

: London Central Mosque – Islam

: New West End Synagogue, London – Judaism

: Pennyburn Chapel, Derry, Northern Ireland – Catholicism

: Southwark Cathedral, London – Anglicanism

: Neasden Temple – Hinduism

: New West End Synagogue, London – Judaism

: St Patrick’s Cathedral, Derry, Northern Ireland – Catholicism

: London Central Mosque – Islam

Whitstable portrait

November 24, 2013November 24, 2013 / mikeosbornphoto / 14 Comments

I spent a memorable day in the Kent coastal town of Whitstable recently. It was a cold but wonderfully bright, sunny day while the sea was tempestuous and invigorating.

This seaside resort basks in glory compared to many around Britain’s coast. It has many regular London visitors who enjoy the rustic pebbled beaches, a pretty town studded with independent shops, not to mention its oysters and seafood.

It feels alive but with an old charm, and no air of neglect and sadness like its rival to the east, Margate.

It was a beautiful day for photography, with the powerful sea, details of seaside architecture and the beachside providing rich food for the camera.

Click first image for the full gallery experience

Open House London

October 27, 2013 / mikeosbornphoto / 17 Comments

For just one weekend each year, you can roam around hundreds of London buildings – and are given free rein to take photographs.

I close an eclectic clutch, from a daunting 1960s tower block to old properties with grand, lofty ceilings. You can read more about the individual buildings by following the links beneath the gallery.