Edinburgh: Four Seasons in One Day – Outdoor Photography Exhibition by Dr Pete Wands 

Discover Edinburgh Through the Lens of a Local GP

We are proud to present “Edinburgh: Four Seasons in One Day”, a captivating outdoor photography exhibition by Dr Pete Wands, GP at Morningside Medical Practice. This unique collection of street photography spans eight years of exploration and reflection, capturing the ever-changing moods of Edinburgh’s streets through the seasons.

From the golden light of spring mornings to the cinematic shadows of winter nights, each image invites viewers to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the city’s beauty and complexity.

About the Artist

Dr Pete Wands began photographing Edinburgh as a way to reconnect with his hometown after years away during medical training. Photography became a vital outlet for creativity, mindfulness, and mental wellbeing—an antidote to the pressures of frontline NHS work. His long walks with a camera offer a childlike curiosity and openness to fleeting moments of urban beauty.

Pete’s photography is deeply personal. An artistic response to the emotional demands of working in healthcare. His images reflect a therapeutic journey, blending mindfulness with visual storytelling. By capturing Edinburgh’s shifting moods, Pete invites viewers to slow down and rediscover the familiar with fresh eyes, fostering a deeper connection to place, time, and mental wellbeing.

Long walks with the camera give me the opportunity to slow down and to try to see the city through child like eyes, with openness, curiosity and imagination as fleeting moments of beauty come and go in front of the lens like scenes in a movie. The changing light and weather conditions in Edinburgh through the seasons, and often over the course of a single day, make for
interesting and unpredictable walks.” – Pete Wands

Explore the Seasons

Visitors are invited to take a short walk around the Astley Ainslie Hospital grounds, where four seasonal displays showcase the city’s transformation:

Spring – Renewal and Reflection

As winter fades, Edinburgh in spring awakens with a renewed sense of life. Warmer temperatures and golden light breathe energy into the city’s historic streets. Early morning mist softens the skyline, while blossoming trees and rain-slicked pavements reflect the season’s vibrancy. Pete Wands captures fleeting moments of transformation—where colour returns, and the cityscape feels fresh and full of possibility. This season’s images offer a gentle, hopeful perspective, perfect for those emerging from the muted tones of winter.

Summer – Energy and Celebration

Summer in Edinburgh is a season of light, movement, and celebration. Long days create dramatic shadows and sharp contrasts, while the city buzzes with life—especially during August’s world-famous festivals. Wands’ photography captures the spontaneity of summer: backlit silhouettes, vibrant fashion, and the joyful chaos of music and dance. These images reflect the city at its most expressive, offering a visual feast of colour, culture, and connection.

Autumn – Mood and Transition

As the days shorten, autumn in Edinburgh brings a quieter, more introspective beauty. The low sun casts long shadows across cobbled streets, golden leaves crunch underfoot, and the North Sea haar cloaks the city in a soft, cinematic haze. Wands’ autumnal images are rich in texture and tone, capturing the city in a moment of transition. Faces blur behind misted café windows, and the atmosphere becomes one of reflection and subtle emotion.

Winter – Intimacy and Contrast

Edinburgh in winter is stark, raw, and deeply atmospheric. Short days and long nights create a dramatic backdrop for street photography. Rain, snow, and wind strip the city back to its essentials, revealing quiet moments of solitude and resilience. Wands’ winter images highlight the intimacy of the season—dimly lit commutes, lone figures in the gloom, and the warmth of human connection glowing against the cold. It’s a season of contrast, where beauty emerges from stillness and shadow.

Each panel offers a fresh perspective on Edinburgh’s urban landscape, encouraging mindfulness and appreciation of the everyday.