2019 in 12 photographs

December 31, 2019December 30, 2019 / mikeosbornphoto / 10 Comments

Another year is drawing to a close, and there’s just enough time to glance back at 2019.

The year until October was dominated by travel, experiencing new places and creating new memories. The latter segment of 2019 has been about reconnecting with my neighbourhood and city of Manchester.

These photographs – just one for each month – distill the essence of each location and take me right back to that place, whether it’s on top of a Namibian sand dune, experiencing a magic Icelandic snowfall in May, or right here in Manchester.

It’s time to herald 2020 and wish you all a very healthy and Happy New Year.

Tap/click first image to see gallery

: January: Stunning Namibian dunes

: February: New Zealand’s farthest edge

: March: Dense Hong Kong skyscrapers

: April: Porto’s beauty

: May: Magical Icelandic snowfall

: June: Epic Tirana sunset

: July: Dead Sea bathers

: August: Llandudno beach joy

: September: Tokyo neon

: October: Liverpool spiritual light

: November: Neighbourhood reflections

: December: Manchester Christmas puddle

Abandoned

November 10, 2019November 10, 2019 / mikeosbornphoto / 5 Comments

The vast southern African country of Namibia has a myriad of attractions, from its stark, majestic scenery to colourful colonial era towns.

Kolmanskop is another of those gems. This settlement supported a diamond mine during the German occupation of the early 20th century. The last families moved out in the 1950s and it became a ghost town.

The Namib Desert’s dry climate has preserved the buildings and is slowly consuming them. Visitors are allowed to explore former dwellings from the hospital to a skittle alley.

Taking photographs is an unusual and slightly unnerving experience, while the pursuit of ‘abandonment porn’ is a popular one – see how tours of Chernobyl are now widely available.

A trip to Namibia should always include a visit to remarkable Kolmanskop.

Click first image to see gallery

A year of travel

November 3, 2019April 16, 2024 / mikeosbornphoto / 10 Comments

It was a big decision taking a year out to spend travelling. Those 12 months passed very quickly and I’ve had time to take stock of places visited, people met and what’s next.

I came back with a lot of photographs and set myself the task of choosing one image to sum up every trip and country. They’re images I’m proud to have captured, but also are the most evocative of each place. It’s sometimes a strong personal memory, other times a striking impression.

The journey hasn’t finished for me. Travelling has sparked a desire to see more of the world and change my life.

Please share your memories of travel, particularly the ones that have stayed with you forever.