The Duke’s backyard

May 22, 2016May 22, 2016 / mikeosbornphoto / 13 Comments

This is a magnificent garden tucked between the suburban sprawl of London and one of the world’s busiest airports, Heathrow. It is Syon Park, part of the Duke of Northumberland’s estate, also consisting of a sturdy and impressive stately pile – not to mention a fantastic ‘greenhouse’.

It was a partially sunny day drilled by a cold wind with the threat of rain. But these are beautiful grounds to capture, from the magnificence of the Giant Rhubarb at the water’s edge, to a whole host of flowering plants and natural details. Apart from the older couple seated and enjoying the peace and quiet, I had the run of this London gem.

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Shepherds skies

April 21, 2016April 20, 2016 / mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

Big skies are usually associated with rolling, empty country. But you can also find them here in my inner city west London neighbourhood.

One sky is currently filled with cranes, nestled around the former BBC Television Centre building site. And in a single day there was dramatic cloud cover and piercing clear blue. And from my own roof space I captured a huge sweep of travelling clouds and a fiercely beautiful sunset. Is the sky big no matter where you are?

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A Christmas album

December 20, 2015 / mikeosbornphoto / 14 Comments

Christmas means a lot of things to an awful lot of people. Even to a photographer – who doesn’t really enjoy the festive season – it means something. Beautiful shiny little objects, blazing colours, warm light, bold bokeh and a great opportunity to capture a particular mood. I took my bagful of seasonal booty and photographed them in full daylight, then at dusk with candlelight and some background fairy lights.

I hope you enjoy this little essence of the season and have a very enjoyable Christmas.

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Towers of the east

December 13, 2015 / mikeosbornphoto / 15 Comments

When you stroll around the fashionable London districts of Hoxton and Shoreditch, you tend to look straight ahead to spot bijou little shops, high-class eateries – and hipsters sporting beards.

But this part of the city has more than its fair share of high-rise buildings, from very modern glass-clad affairs to the concrete bunkers from the 1960s. Futuristic or retro, these tall edifices are bursting with perspective. So if you pay a visit, take a few moments to stand still and look up.