A Christmas collection

December 17, 2023December 17, 2023 / mikeosbornphoto / Leave a comment

Bah humbug. It’s no secret that I’m not a huge fan of Christmas.

But the warm lights and cold December weather are beautiful to photograph. READ MORE BELOW

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: Salford (2023)

: Manchester (2020)

: Peak District (2017)

: London (2015)

: Salford (2021)

: Manchester (2022)

: Manchester (2022)

: London (2015)

: Manchester (2017)

: London (2015)

: Manchester (2022)

: London (2015)

: Manchester (2020)

: Salford (2023)

: Manchester (2020)

I must have an affection for Christmas lights because I’ve been photographing them for years without even realising it.

My last London flat was bright and white enough for still life sessions, while Manchester and Salford have been providing light and chill since 2016.

In 2018 I passed over a familiar Christmas with a memorable trip to Chile, where the varied and grand landscape took centre stage.

Whether you’re a Scrooge or a bright-eyed Christmas elf, enjoy the festivities.

The January album

January 31, 2021January 28, 2021 / mikeosbornphoto / 11 Comments

January 2021 promised so much, mainly because it wasn’t 2020. But the UK has been plunged into further lockdown restrictions to battle a more infectious strain of coronavirus.

A rapidly rising death toll and widespread closures in the middle of winter are doing nothing to bolster hope and good cheer.

I have remained close to home here in Manchester city centre. Going far isn’t an option, while overseas travel remains off the table.

Photographing snowy weather, park life, some of Manchester’s new architecture and indoor blooms have been the hallmarks of a cold, introspective and at times gloomy January. How has the start of 2021 been for you?

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: Castlefield Bowl

: Home

: Angel Square

: Alexandra Park

: One Angel Square

: Merchant’s Bridge, Castlefield

: Home

: National Football Museum

: Alexandra Park

: Home

: Beetham Tower

: Alexandra Park

The magic of Iceland

July 28, 2019July 30, 2019 / mikeosbornphoto / 21 Comments

Spectacular, awe-inspiring, amazing. Just a few of the superlatives that are given to Iceland and its magical landscapes.

This relatively small volcanic island close to the Arctic is packed with snow-capped mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, spurting geysers and a fantastic coastline scattered with glacial chunks and black sand.

I was lucky enough to visit some of these wonders on a tour of the country’s south in May and was even treated to a blanket of snow. If you enjoy landscape photography, Iceland is up there with the best of them.

But a note of caution. It’s now a popular destination and is organised to cope with many visitors. Some attractions are very busy and you may have to go further to experience real wilderness. Even so it’s hard to deny this country’s awesomeness.

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Winter wonderland

December 17, 2017December 16, 2017 / mikeosbornphoto / 12 Comments

Much of the UK has had its first taste of winter. Here in central Manchester, the show of snow was disappointing.

But in the lower reaches of the Pennines on the edge of Greater Manchester, we found a wintry wonderland. The hills near Marple were transformed to create a very memorable walk.

Snow can be a serious challenge to photograph – time to furiously adjust the white balance and find what colour you can. Worth the freezing fingertips…

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Winter makeover

January 26, 2013February 8, 2024 / mikeosbornphoto / 4 Comments

A recent spell of snow and ice here in west London had a transforming effect on the landscape. Everyday, ordinary objects of street furniture that would usually go completely unnoticed became items of interest. I saw them in a different light and wanted to photograph them with their winter coats.

BBC Television Centre and the surrounding area is a very familiar place. Fences, barriers, handrails, balconies, benches – and even a clunky yellow structure on the roof of the building – were dressed up and suddenly catching the eye.