Olympic Park

Shooting Up

/ 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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The Photo Shop

Salvaged shots

/ mikeosbornphoto / 10 Comments

Some photographs slip between the cracks. Some of them are overlooked, seemingly superfluous to requirements, or simply don’t fit neatly into any post. Some of them deserve to be scooped up and given an airing.

This collection is a rescued rag-tag. It brings together moments of architectural discovery, traipsing around London and elsewhere, while my visit to the Cape Verde islands comes up again, including a visit to the gnarled hulk of the wrecked Santa Maria.

These are disparate moments from my photographic journey which I hope you’ll enjoy.

Click first image to launch the gallery

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In the Olympic Stadium’s shadow

/ mikeosbornphoto / 4 Comments

The opening ceremony has taken place and the Olympic competition is under way at London 2012.

A few days earlier, I made an attempt to get close to the Olympic Park in east London, but with no ticket nor accreditation, it was a failed mission. So I went to an area just to the west of Stratford called Hackney Wick, which sits near the stadium. The massive centrepiece of the games was just on the other side of the canal, but the path was heavily guarded.

This corner of east London is very urban, filled with light industry and warehouses. There are some canalside residences and a surprising number of cafes and restaurants, not to mention a lot of colourful wall murals brightening up the inner city brickwork. It’s not swish, it isn’t sleek, but I sensed that life was carrying on regardless of the massive global event brewing in the neighbourhood.

People were still going about their business in small factories and yards, and there was even a model being photographed, glamorous against the painted bricks.

I’m sure the residents could hear every beat of Friday night’s impressive opening ceremony, but maybe it’s simply business as usual next to the Olympic Stadium.

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