architecture

Northern cool

/ mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

A train ride across the Pennines from Manchester whisked me to the West Yorkshire city of Wakefield.

I headed to The Hepworth Gallery, named after artist Barbara Hepworth, who was born there in 1903. It’s a sleek, contemporary building created by David Chipperfield and an unexpected sight in the heart of post-industrial Yorkshire.

I stalked the lofty rooms and corridors, finding delectable shadow, light and lines to capture. But before heading outside to do the same, enjoyed a photography exhibition and inevitably some cake in the gallery cafe.

This is a cool, modern place and well worth visiting if you find yourself anywhere in the north of England.

Click first images to view the galleries

INSIDE

OUTSIDE

 

Macau: Vegas of the East

/ mikeosbornphoto / 2 Comments

The tiny territory of Macau is the most densely populated place on the planet. That aside, this fascinating city is the point when China and Portugal intermingle.

Street signs are in Cantonese and Portuguese, while bakeries sell Portugal’s famous (and delicious) custard tart. Churches and pastel-washed buildings are a testament to centuries of European colonial rule.

I took a day trip to Macau from Hong Kong and felt the difference. Most forms of gambling are outlawed in the former British territory, while casinos thrive in Macau with brash signs and vast premises.

A fun fact is that Hong Kong and Macau are separate special regions of China, so you have to go through border control. So don’t forget your passport on a visit to this crowded, busy and fascinating slither of the world.

Click first image to see the gallery

Cuba Libre!

/ mikeosbornphoto / 14 Comments

Welcome to the biggest island in the Caribbean which boasts 11 million inhabitants.

Cuba still sits in the shadow of its socialist revolution led by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara almost 60 years ago, with slogans and monuments everywhere.

It’s a country with two currencies, monthly rations and quaintly limited internet access.

But most photographers flock here for the vibrant colour palette, faded architecture and vintage cars crawling the streets. Havana and other urban centres had this in spades. Delicious and irresistible!

Click first image to see gallery

A taste of Greece

/ mikeosbornphoto / 30 Comments

It’s taken me a long time to get around to visiting Greece, a favourite of Britons and all tourists alike.

I chose the island of Santorini, famed for its azure seas, cliff-clinging villages and magical sunsets.

It delivered all of this and had a fantastic light for photography.

But I have to be an honest traveller. Santorini is incredibly popular and crawls with visitors. Quad bikes choke the roads and destinations like Oia trap tourists like flies. Departing from the oversubscribed airport can be an uncomfortable experience.

If you want to relax in the Greek islands, choose one of the many others which still enjoy relative anonymity. A lesson learned…

Click first image to view gallery

Azores: Terceira

/ mikeosbornphoto / 14 Comments

Welcome to Terceira, one of the islands in Portugal’s beautiful and beguiling Azores archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

It’s steeped in history with the oldest Azorean city, Angra do Heroismo, sitting colourfully on the island.

Memorable moments of Terceira: Walking deep into a volcanic cone (Algar do Carvão), sweeping views over the agricultural plains and visiting grand buildings from Portugal’s imperial past.

Click first image to see the gallery