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Oxford Street in Manchester

A street scene featuring a prominent clock tower in the background, surrounded by buildings and trees.

This photograph was taken on Oxford Street looking north towards St Peter’s Square in the heart of the Manchester’s city centre. It was a quick snap on my iPhone in May 2022 when I was walking around Manchester with my dad. Returning to a once very familiar place can stir up a variety of different emotions. From 2006 to 2009 I lived on Chester Street just a few hundred metres from where this was taken. For three years I walked up and down Oxford Street daily. Somethings hadn’t changed. The Kimpton Clocktower Hotel for example looked the same, despite its new name. The biggest visually change is on the right of this photograph. The huge red modern office building of Circle Square. Central Manchester has changed a lot in the last 10-15 years.

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Sydney Harbour Bridge from Observatory Hill at night

Dusk cityscape showing a bridge over a street with buildings illuminated by soft evening light.

Observatory Hill is one of my favourite places to photograph the Sydney Harbour Bridge from. This iconic view is looking along Lower Fort Street. It is a busy image with a lot going on but these layers to the photograph makes it for me. In the foreground there are a few red and white light trails from cars. Obviously the harbour bridge is the focal point. Off to the left on the other side of the harbour is Luna Park. If you look closely your can see the glowing purple light of the Ferris wheel. This photograph was captured a few years back now. It was at this same location on the same night someone walked in front of my camera with a sparkler. This created an even more striking image. See Sydney Harbour Bridge from Observatory. I prefer the slightly earlier and less chaotic photograph above.



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The Museum of the Future with trees

The Dubai skyline rises majestically in the background, showcasing its iconic skyscrapers and modern architecture.

Walking around a building lets you see the various angles and possibilities of photographs. If you drive to the Museum of the Future this is the road up to the main entrance and carpark. I liked the way the green slopes and trees contrast with the stainless steel facade. My favourite view is on the other side of Sheikh Zayed Road. Take a look at the Museum of the Future during the day and it looks even more spectacular at night.

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Pair of paradise ducks in Christchurch



Two ducks perched on rocks surrounded by calm water in their natural habitat.

Walking around Christchurch Botanic Gardens is always a good idea. I try to visit each time I am in the city centre. This was taken in July (mid winter here in New Zealand). There was frost on the ground but these two ducks weren’t bothered. They were enjoying the water garden. When I captured this photograph I knew the duck on the left was a female Paradise Shelduck (pūtangitangi) as the distinctive white head is easy to spot. I believe the darker coloured duck on the right is a male paradise duck but please correct me if I am wrong in a comment below.