nature

Shepherds skies

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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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The islanders

/ mikeosbornphoto / 14 Comments

The island of Sri Lanka is a country of great natural beauty. But it also bristles with life and people, particularly in its bustling cities and towns. During my recent trip, I found my camera turning towards its people. Some of them I met and asked to take their photographs, sending them copies of their portraits when I returned home.

There was Lala, a pleasant, polite man who showed me the local village and Mr Silva the sarong seller who looks careworn in his picture, but waved and smiled at me after our encounter. I didn’t meet the lady in white seen on Kandy’s main street – but she seemed to gaze straight into the lens.

Other Sri Lankans were observed and captured from a greater distance, while there was no shortage of street and crowd scenes on a busy festival day in Kandy. Sri Lanka also boasts a wide variety of animal life, from cheeky monkeys to a docile cow who watched the sunset on the beach and then lumbered away. Faces become even more fascinating when they’re less familiar…

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Sri Lankan scenes

/ mikeosbornphoto / 21 Comments

World's End panoramaThe island of Sri Lanka nestles in the warmth of the Indian ocean, right at the foot of the mighty subcontinent. While India is vast and populous, little Sri Lanka has a modest population of some 20 million people. Its urban areas are full of colourful hustle and bustle, and its countryside packs a magnificent punch. It boasts a coastline which is idyllic and palm-fringed, with an interior both wildly rugged and beautifully stitched with delicate tea plantations.

On a recent visit to the island, there were many moments to stop and stare – then take a photograph. This post has just 13 of those for you to enjoy.

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Bracing

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The British coast in winter is often freezing. A little desolate. And with leaden, depressing skies. But it’s not all bad news.

The coastline around Hunstanton in Norfolk has broad, sandy beaches and a magical low tide which make bracing walks longer and more invigorating. Those skies stretch the horizon, while the empty beach huts stand proud and colourful. Strong winds brought paragliders to the water and dozens of strollers were not deterred by the odd miniature sandstorm.

I came here three years ago but this time it felt different. My eyes were drawn to the architectural details of the seaside and those huge vistas which the camera devoured with pleasure. The inspiration had changed but it was still winter – and was wrapped up warmly.

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5 of 2015

/ mikeosbornphoto / 25 Comments

Another year of photography is drawing to a close. My camera and I have found new places to capture here in London, and travelled further afield on this island and beyond. I set myself the task of selecting just five shots that have stood out during 2015. Choosing the ‘winner’ is a job I’ll leave to your better judgement – please vote at the end of this post. Here’s to a productive year – Happy 2016 to you all.

TOWER DESCENT

Tower descent (Mono)

This photograph was taken on a memorable visit to Sweden. We had clambered up the tower of Stockholm’s imposing city hall. My friend Annakaisa was positioned beautifully in this elegant clasp of brickwork on the trip back down. The shot was strong in colour and with more gravity in monochrome.

LOW TIDE LAND

Low tide landThis was captured at a wedding with a touch of magic at the Kent seaside resort of Whitstable. At low tide ‘the street’ revealed itself, allowing walkers to venture far from the shore. The figures in the frame add to this composition for me.

BROWNS

BrownsA simple pile of autumn leaves. I spent some time in studio shoots capturing a range of inanimate objects from kitchenware to summer fruits. The studio becomes your world – what happens there is down to you.

TULIP CIRCLE

Tulip circleA piece of architectural splendour I’d been meaning to capture for some time. The Tulip Staircase is in the Queen’s House at Greenwich, which contains a rich cluster of beautiful heritage buildings.

ILIAS

Ilias

A recent portrait of my Greek friend Ilias, on an urban stroll around London’s Hoxton area. This was a pivotal moment when I made a concerted effort to place people at the centre of my photography. This sparked a germ of an idea which will hopefully feature in the coming year.

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