Shooting Up

March 1, 2015 / mikeosbornphoto / 15 Comments

This is a celebration of the thousands of times I have craned my neck to take a photograph, sometimes on my knees or sitting on the damp ground at the same moment. But there is always a commanding building or dazzling ceiling as a reward, and the chance to capture it for posterity.

Enjoy this small selection and remember a stiff neck or a pair of dirty knees is always worth it…

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: St Stephen’s Cathedral, Budapest

: Hammersmith office building

: Anish Kapoor’s Orbit, London Olympic Park

: Custom House, London

: Kew Bridge water tower, London

: Westminster Hall, London

: 10 Hammersmith Grove complex, London

: New West End Synagogue, London

: The old Mortlake Brewery, west London

: Regents Park Mosque, London

: Tate Modern, London

: Strawberry Hill House, Twickenham

Faith buildings

January 5, 2014October 9, 2021 / mikeosbornphoto / 22 Comments

They come all in manner of shapes and sizes, for an array of worshipful purposes.

Even if you don’t hold a particular faith (I fall into that category), it’s hard not to find these buildings impressive and moving on some level.

They are invariably engaging to capture in photographs, occasionally challenging in the dim of candlelight. In some cases, you are not permitted to use your camera.

This tiny fraction of faith buildings I’ve had the pleasure of visiting encompasses six religions. Each place is arresting in its own way, while they all have a shared mystique.

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: St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry, Northern Ireland – Catholicism

: Neasden Temple, London – Hinduism

: Russian Orthodox Church, Gunnersbury, London

: Greensted Church, Essex – Anglicanism

: London Central Mosque – Islam

: New West End Synagogue, London – Judaism

: Pennyburn Chapel, Derry, Northern Ireland – Catholicism

: Southwark Cathedral, London – Anglicanism

: Neasden Temple – Hinduism

: New West End Synagogue, London – Judaism

: St Patrick’s Cathedral, Derry, Northern Ireland – Catholicism

: London Central Mosque – Islam

Synagogue

December 15, 2013December 15, 2013 / mikeosbornphoto / 12 Comments

London’s New West End synagogue is something of a hidden gem. It’s a short walk from the Notting Hill area, but is set back from the main road into the heart of the city.

From the outside, the Victorian red brick building is imposing but largely nondescript, hiding its treasures. You have to venture inside to be truly blown away.

I arranged my visit to the synagogue in advance, and was warmly welcomed by the building’s administrator, who switched on all the lights and showed me inside. I had the entire space to myself, and was left to wander around at will with my camera. This included the upper gallery, usually reserved for female worshippers.

Quite simply, it’s magnificent. Lofty in dimensions and opulently decorated with gold leaf and beautiful stained glass windows. This is a majestic example of architecture when standing empty and no doubt an inspiring space when used for religious ceremony. It’s probably best to let the images do the work.

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