London’s burning

June 22, 2013June 25, 2013 / mikeosbornphoto / 6 Comments

Thankfully, it isn’t really. But this week a string of spectacular sunsets have graced the capital, and I was lucky enough to capture one very close to my west London home. In this corner of the city, it’s hard to see a full view of the horizon, but this sundown swept high into the sky with plumes of glorious burnt orange.

Perhaps not as full-fledged and glorious as a recent Canary Islands sunset I witnessed from the top of a bell tower, but somehow it’s more impressive in your own neighbourhood.

I felt another shot sporting much more silhouette was ripe for conversion to monochrome with a dramatic red filter which packs the contrast home with a punch. As ever, evening skyscapes never fail to delight.

Summer pride

June 20, 2013June 25, 2013 / mikeosbornphoto / 4 Comments

The window box at the front of our new home is a blaze of glory right now. A bunch of red geraniums that I planted last year have responded superbly to plenty of water, regular feeding and a good dose of morning sun.

They also sit outside the room where I now edit photographs, prepare posts and talk to other photographers around the globe. It may be a small joy in the scheme of things, but this is an enormous pleasure.

Here’s to the British summer in a leafy corner of west London.

See also: Summer Survivors

The last sunshine

June 4, 2013 / mikeosbornphoto / 11 Comments

This photograph marks a break from the bold colours and staggering light of Fuerteventura. The scene is back in the softer light of Essex in the UK, where summer is struggling to take hold.

But it’s late evening and the last vestiges of sunlight reach into this verdant corner, catching some insects in its rays. This small graveyard belongs to the Quaker church in Maldon and is at the back of my mother’s home.

I noticed this looking out of the window and was struck by its tranquility and stillness – apart from the fluttering insects playfully absorbing the warmth.

The composition hinges on the right of the frame, while the dark, lush vegetation of this rarely touched corner creates a good contrast with the sunshine. I think it sums up the mood I felt with this scene.

The dunes

June 1, 2013June 2, 2023 / mikeosbornphoto / 13 Comments

This is an unmissable stop on a trip to the island of Fuerteventura.

It’s like a slither of the Sahara Desert has broken away from the might of Africa and drifted off into the Atlantic Ocean. Tall, honey-coloured sand dunes sit just a short distance away from the sea. They shift silently and create beautiful landscapes and patterns.

Its small scale means holidaymakers amble about this natural playground. The two vast hotels in the area barely peep above the sand from certain vantage points, while the strong light reflecting off the sand creates some unusual photographic opportunities.

Click first image to launch the gallery

Images from Morocco’s Sahara desert:

Sahara sunrise

Sahara feet

Camel train

The abstract collection

April 21, 2013April 21, 2013 / mikeosbornphoto / 22 Comments

“Relating to or denoting art that does not attempt to represent external reality, but rather seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, colours, and textures”.

That is the dictionary definition of the word abstract, when used to describe a form of art – including photography. Inspired by the 30 photographers project that I recently took part in, here’s a selected gallery of my images that fall into that category.

The mysterious yet intriguing comes from architecture, close-up work and can be found practically anywhere. It’s an area which stretches the mind and challenges the eye, and can be interpreted so many ways.