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Do you need to uplift your spirits? You need a bit of Therapy? then!

Oh dear. That'll be no marks for originality then, Andrew. That line must have been written a thousand times before!

But please make some allowances for me. After all I'm a PHOTO-journalist... not the 'Scribe' type :-)

I do have all journalists love of whisky though. They do drink it by the tumbler full, don't they? Or is that something I just saw in a film sometime?

My Chaos picture edit continues and it is only fitting that the weekend's main head-liners take pride of place.

So with that said, check-out my Gallery of Therapy? pics. Who needs a Shrink (or Whisky) when this Band perform.....
VIEW PICS OF THERAPY? AT GREENMAN CHAOS FESTIVAL

I'd love to spend a little time telling you about how great the Greenman Chaos 10 Bike and Music Festival was this year. But I haven't the time.

There were soooo many great highlights.

The Greenman ticked one of the only remaining boxes when I noted that Wonky Donkey Real Ale had been added to the bar menu... I guarantee it'll be back as my consumption alone must have made it a success!

I'd love to tell you about the quality and variety of the music on the two stages. I'd also like to have the time to praise the lighting team for a fantastic job. Those new 'spots' are amazing.

When I have a chance I will 'wax lyrical' about the sound system... it was loud!

Then, when I am not so busy, I will praise the variety of food on offer... Fish & Chips in a field - that'll do nicely :-)

Then I will have to find the words to describe the warm and friendly atmosphere that always pervades every Greenman Chaos Festival. Who would believe a bunch of 'piss-heads' (including me) could be so well behaved!

So you can expect me (when I have the time after processing the weekends pics) to tell you all about the FANTASTIC, BEST EVER Chaos tenth anniversary.

......oh, I seem to have already done all that!!

However I reckon I'll still find a few more good things to say in my next Blog :-)

First Galleries are now on-line featuring pics of the Chaos atmosphere.

Band pics will follow... as soon as I stop talking!!
CHAOS 10 - VIEW THE FIRST PICS

2014 was a vintage year for the Greenman Chaos Bike & Music Festival.

Following on from the first nine Chaos weekends the hope and anticipations were high for Number 10.

The early pioneering festivals had improved year on year. The question was 'Could the Greenman up the ante for the tenth anniversary?'

Silly question really. Of course they could, and of course they did, big time!

Thanks guys for a festival that legends are made of. Now let's stop the talk of it being the last. I'll see you next year or you will have to make your (good) excuses to me, OK!

The first gallery of the 2014 Greenman Chaos Bike & Music Festival shows my Guernsey Press submission for the Monday morning edition.

I was chuffed to see one of the pics made the front page. There were also Chaos pics on three other pages including a fantastic double-page spread in the centre. Total number of pics was thirteen.

Chaos has really made a mark in 2014!!

The logistics of selecting, editing, captioning and submitting a select few pics for an early Sunday morning deadline were fairly challenging, particularly as I was sleeping 'on-site' in my van so as to be able to enjoy a beer or two.

I actually I lost count of the pints of White Rock Brewery 'Wonky Donkey' Real Ale that I drank but I know I went through five four-drink tokens worth + a few more. And yes, I was a Wonky Donkey!

I dreaded that I would not wake up early enough on Sunday morning... but I did and these few pics are the result.

MANY, MANY more will follow as I work through the edit. Keep checking back....
CHAOS 2014... THE PRESS EDIT

Thanks for the response to my previous Blog. There has been some really interesting feedback.
READ THE ORIGINAL BLOG HERE

However I think I should qualify what I originally said. Having re-read the post I feel that it can be interpreted as a put-down to hobbiest photogs.

This was certainly not the intention. I strongly believe that many of the most creative and talented photogs are amateurs. They thrive on their passion for the subject and revel in the freedom of shooting for their own pleasure. The quality of their results prove my point.

In contrast, there is an inevitable constraint that comes with professional photography. This comes with tight deadlines, tight briefs (not the underwear kind) and the need to guarantee the reliable completion of an assignment for a client. I know my own work was more varied before I needed to work within the limits of a brief.

Getting back to the intent in my original Blog. It was aimed more as a question and observation of the changes and added pressures that fall on a pro 'tog trying to work in this modern era.

Now that thought could open another completely new debate.

The question: Has the fast move to Digital photography and the proliferation of camera phones etc. helped move things forward for Professional photographers?

I'll start the ball rolling by stating that there is no way I would like to return to the 'good old days of film and the darkroom'.

So it seems that I can't have things both ways, can I?

Please feel free to pull my statements to pieces, I love a debate.

Do you know what the best compliment you can pay to a Motor Sport photographer is?

Maybe an even greater compliment than parting with your hard earned cash to actually buy a picture!

Well let me help you. My latest updates to the Hillclimb and Karting galleries have generated quite a number of kind comments regarding my 'style' of Motorsport photography. I have been encouraged by this interest and I thank you.

It's now quite a challenge for anyone wanting to make any sort of income from photographing Motorsport. Perhaps the same can be said about all forms of photography? I also specialize in live music and festival photography and that discipline is just as challenging to make money at.

Modern technology has given anyone with a few 'bob' to spend (only people of my era - and British - will understand that quote) the opportunity to capture endless numbers of digital pictures at almost no cost.

Digital photography allows a photog to fire away almost unlimited shots and then 'cherry pick' the successes. Call me old fashioned, which at fifty-nine I probably am, but I just don't 'get' this style of photography. I'm not sure that photographing action 'machine-gun' style proves that a photographer has any level of skill... apart from in editing, and even there, a photographer who shoots into the hundreds and thousands probably reveals that they have little sense of 'timing and composition'.

Add into this the capability of everyone to upload endless free pictures to Facebook and other free online galleries and you can see how this overload of images limits the ability of a Professional photographer to survive (meaning sell) his work. Who wants to pay for a pic when something similar is available for free?

This is a massive challenge to many professional photographers and is no different in 'little old Guernsey' than anywhere else in the world!

With the UK Motorsport Clubs and MSA seemingly relaxing some of their requirements to gain access to the Track/Hill/Beach this opens the opportunity for everyone to start taking pics track-side.

So where does this leave the professional photographer? Well a pro has to 'see' what the amateur doesn't. A Pro has to take full advantage of any access that they may still be able to gain to the track-side. A Pro must also work endlessly... meaning long hours. My experience is that hard work and persistence usually have to come before any form of success. That's a shame isn't it, but true!

Persistence, reliability, sticking to the job in uncomfortable situations and always trying to learn from your 'fails', mistakes and 'missed action' must always be part of your work ethic.

Also finding new angles to cover an assignment are important defining differences between a Pro and an Amateur photographer.

This takes me back to my original point and again I thank those who have contacted me to say that my work goes beyond simply taking pics of crashes and easy panning shots.

When a racer says that he can gather useful information about his set-up from looking at how his car is 'working' through a corner or how their racing line could be 'tweaked' after studying my work it makes me feel that I have added to and become a part of the racing scene. I am capturing real racing action. I'm not just cherry-picking the unfortunate racing 'offs'!

My chosen profession might not qualify as a 'proper job' (please don't tell my missus) but when I leave the house to go to 'work' it really thrills me and I wouldn't change a thing, despite the challenges.

This makes me a very happy chappie :-)

UPDATE:
Having considered this Blog again and taking into account the fantastic feedback I have had I've added a few more thoughts... A FEW MORE THOUGHTS... THE DEBATE GOES ON

Every so often I seem to get distracted before I completely finish a job. You can ask my missus if you don't believe me!

Well I have just noticed that I had failed to complete the picture galleries for the recent (fairly) #triplestoked weekends at The Fermain Tavern.

Fear not, I might be slow, but I am reliable and my error has now been sorted :-)

The missing band was Weekend-3's headliners The Hoosiers.

Anyone who attended the #triplestoked weekends should agree with me that The Hoosiers were worthy of holding top spot on stage for the final night.

The band were a magnet to the crowd who really couldn't get any closer to the stage... making this photogs job very hard!

The plus for me was that Lloyd Hellyeah was working the lighting desk making the processing of the final pics so much easier for me.

I've also added a gallery featuring Jersey based Tadhg Daly.

I'm pleased with the results, see what you think of them:
VIEW PICS OF #TRIPLESTOKED WEEKEND-3 HEADLINERS THE HOOSIERS

It was all about the Beards at the Metal 2 the Masses Final at the Fermain Tavern.

The final saw six Bands fight it out for the opportunity to play at the 2014 Bloodstock Open Air Festival. I think that Simon Hall, the visiting judge from Razorline Music, was impressed by the standard of the six Bands who competed.

The final line-up was chosen at separate heats in Guernsey & Jersey and comprised of:

From Guernsey:
Brunt
Stone Em All
Byzanthian Neckbeard

From Jersey:
Chaos Theory
Masticated
Whitechapel Murders

After a full night of Metal the judge's choice was Byzanthian Neckbeard who were certainly a popular winner. Indeed this photog had backed them for the win but they were closely challenged by Stone Em All who are an ever-improving Band.

I've added a new Gallery of pics featuring all the Bands...
VIEW PICS OF THE METAL 2 THE MASSES FINAL

It's about ten days since the Greenman Chaos - Star Wars Gig, but the memory remains.

There were some great fancy dress outfits. There was a great line-up of Bands.

With the summer ahead (we are promised) we can look forward to a storming (not literally) Greenman Chaos Festival. If this gig counts as a taster and warm-up for the biggie... it's going to be GREAT!

I've just added a few pics of some of the Bands (Static Alice will follow).

Pics uploaded feature The Doomsday Project, One Mind to Lose & Brunt. Find them here:
VIEW PICS OF THE DOOMSDAY PROJECT
VIEW PICS OF ONE MIND TO LOSE
VIEW PICS OF BRUNT

You can't beat a firework display to bring a celebration to a colourful and noisy end.

A picture can say much more than words..... :-)
VIEW A FEW COLOURFUL PICS OF THE LIBERATION DAY FIREWORKS

Music is always at the centre of any celebration.

So it was a fitting and expected part of Guernsey's celebration of the 69th year of Liberation from the occupying forces during World War 2.

May 9th has established itself as a special Bank Holiday for all true Guernseymen (and Ladies). All generations flock to St Peter Port and are entertained by a variety of attractions. These include novelty shows, various stalls and performers.

But as I stated before, music takes a major role. Without doubt the Military Bands endorse the authenticity of the day and they are loved by all ages.

However there is also a tradition that modern bands are given a stage to add a younger side to the entertainment.

LibFest took place on the Albert Pier and it was here that I captured pictures of few of the acts.

I've added Picture Galleries for Blakalaska, Jacques Evans, JoMaLi, The High Tides and the DJ Sessions. Take a look here:
VIEW PICS OF BLAKALASKA
VIEW PICS OF JACQUES EVANS
VIEW PICS OF JOMALI
VIEW PICS OF THE HIGH TIDES
VIEW PICS OF THE LIBFEST DJ SESSIONS

The last week has been quite a blur. I have chased around to give coverage to so many events.

It has been very enjoyable. However I guess that most people (including 'casual' photographers) have little concept of how long the full processes take from the actual 'capture' of an image to the end result of having it published in Magazines, Newspapers and this Web-site. When all aspects are taken into account it is easy to see where the time goes.

You start by planning ahead. I have contacts with business clients and picture editors. Their requirements are noted and the day is planned. Simples, eh!

Then it is a case of keeping to the timetable hoping that everything runs on time. Having completed the days shoot the edits can start. Priority has to go to the print deadline work. This means a dash back to the office and a quick edit through maybe hundreds of shots to select the required pics. These have to fit the brief. Maybe specific action or subjects, upright or landscape format, close crop or wide view. All pics then have to be tagged with relevant details.

Often the first edit allows you only twenty minutes or so. You learn to work fast. All the time avoiding getting too many sandwich crumbs in the keyboard as you as you multi-task. Not bad for a man, eh!

Once the immediate edits are complete and e-mailed to the picture desks/client I turn the attention to the web-site updates. Once again speed is of the essence and the efforts taken to capture the best image 'in camera' will pay off as this greatly reduces the edit and processing time.

Next there is more captioning of pics. Then the uploading. Followed by the vital backing up and detailed cataloguing of all the days work. Why bother taking a picture if you can't find it in a few clicks when required?

In the analysis of this work-flow it is clear that the actual capturing of an image probably only takes twenty-five percent of the total time.

All the above processes have been in action during last week's work and I'm relieved to say that another job 'bites the dust' (sand).....

The latest update is for the GMC&CC Sand Race Championship. Pictures are now on-line:
VIEW PICS OF SAND RACING - RACE-2

VIEW PICS OF FRANKIE DAVIES & HER BAND
The second of the #triplestoked events had a tall mountain to climb if it was to top the first night when the line-up consisted of Buffalo Huddleston, The Recks and Yes Sir Boss.

So I was not surprised when that peak wasn't quite conquered second time around.

That isn't to say that the night failed to generate an atmosphere in The Fermain Tavern. In fact there was another good turn-out and those that attended certainly had their moneys worth.

Nothing in life maintains the ultimate high and perhaps that is a good thing as when they come along we appreciate them even more. It also keeps us 'hunting' for the next big one :-)

I photographed a couple of the line-up at #triplestoked-2. You can view pics of the beautiful Frankie Davies and her band and Brother & Bones here:

VIEW PICS OF BROTHER & BONES

A new music tuition service is now on offer in Guernsey.

Tyler Edmonds has selected a small team of experienced music tutors to offer a new music tuition service to Guernsey residents. A wide selection of instruments can be learnt with a bias towards modern music with an aim of bringing musicians together with encouragement to form bands sometime in the future.

With this form of support now available the local music scene looks like it will just get stronger and more diverse. Good news as far as I'm concerned :-)
VIEW PICS OF THE SCHOOL OF POPULAR MUSIC LAUNCH DAY

What is hard edged, shiny, strong and magnetic?

Maybe a bit of Metal?

Well the Metal to the Masses competition produced performances that were a credit to the genre of music on stage at The Fermain Tavern.

This was at the Guernsey round of a tournament which will eventually see the best Bands that Guernsey and Jersey can offer go head to head (again on the Tavern stage) sparring for a place to play at this years Bloodstock Festival.

The chance of winning such a great prize generated the energy within the Bands to produce some of their best ever performances.

I was there to take a few pictures of Byzanthian Neckbeard, Stone Em All & Brunt. Check 'em out here:
VIEW PICS OF THE GUERNSEY ROUND OF METAL TO THE MASSES

Last Sunday (yes that is unusual) I was at The Fermain Tavern for the first of three #Triplestoked nights. The hype around these three 'specials' had been running high. Could they live up to it?

The first #triplestoked certainly hit the stage at the max! Indeed it was one of the most memorable gigs I have ever experienced at 'The Tav'... and I have seen a few!

It prompted me to ask 'how can you top that?'

Well we are about to find out as this Friday sees #triplestoked No.2

The first line-up comprised three GREAT Bands. Buffalo Huddleston, The Recks and head-liners Yes Sir Boss.

I can now share with you some of the atmosphere and I recommend you get along to the next two nights.

Pics are now on-line:
VIEW PICS OF #TRIPLESTOKED-1

What is it with Bands?

We have all seen this before. You discover a particular Band that you like. You follow this Band through its 'gestation period' and support it as it develops, grows and matures into the completed 'product'... then they break up and split!

Of course there are usually good reasons behind these dis-banding's. We have to accept that day-to-day living always has to take precedence over the dream of making it in a Band. But it is still a disappointment when you see this happen to a Band that you feel is a bit above the average.

This ramble was triggered when I recently discovering that two Bands that I definitely consider above average are splitting up. They both have the justified excuse that members are taking a break or actually leaving the Island. So I should accept this.

But it is always disappointing. You cannot avoid wondering what great things were to come?

The two Bands that are in my mind today are Buffalo Huddleston and Last of the Light Brigade.

In the first case the Band line-up is losing Becky Hamilton and with LOTLB it is bass player Ben Queripel.

So there we are. We don't have the option of changing these decisions so things will move on. I have a strong instinct that in both cases the Bands will continue to develop... there is just too much passion for their music within the Bands. Maybe these occasions also offer a chance to refresh what they do? Time will tell.

One thing is certain. My own love of music... particularly when played live is still alive and kicking. Long may it continue.

Last weekend I photographed the launch gig for the new Last of the Light Brigade Album 'Last Laugh' at The Fermain Tavern. Pics are now on-line.

I also photographed Buffalo Huddleston at #triplestoked.

The two nights included six Bands in total! First up are pics of the Album launch night of Last of the Light Brigade including pics of the support acts Robert J Hunter and Coastal Fire Department. Check the next blog for the other updates.
VIEW PICS OF LAST OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
VIEW PICS OF ROBERT J HUNTER
VIEW PICS OF COASTAL FIRE DEPARTMENT

A Bank Holiday weekend is looked forward to by most people as a time to relax, chill-out a bit and basically enjoy time away from work.

Well it couldn't be more different for me!

But don't feel too guilty about this. I love my job. It actually consists of what I would choose to do on my day off anyway! That makes me very lucky :-)

The only down-side is that I have to pack a huge amount into a very short time. There isn't much time to sleep when there are so many deadlines to meet.

To give you some idea how I've chased around for the last few days, here goes...

Good Friday:
Web site updates were first on the list. Then there were Guernsey Press photo jobs including the GIAAC 10km Road Run at Grande Rocque and a big Guernsey Basketball League game at Beau Sejour. All pics had to be edited, captioned and submitted to a short deadline.

Saturday:
First it was another update to this web site then off to the first GMC&CC Sand Race meeting of 2014 on Vazon beach. This was followed by another edit GP submissions and a web site update. Then it was time to head off to the The Fermain Tavern for the launch of Last of the Light Brigade's new album. There were three bands on the bill so that was more picture taking. The line-up was fantastic and consisted of Coastal Fire Department, Robert J Hunter and his Band and the boys from Last of the Light Brigade.
Home-time meant another quick edit and a 2am finish!

Sunday:
OK, I'll admit that I did take a little time out for Easter celebrations with my family... noisy bunch too. That comes from now having two grandchildren and a 'grand dog' (although I think my own three adult children were the loudest of the lot!) Next was an unusual Sunday photoshoot of a gig. Again it was at The Tav. This was the first of three #triplestoked weekends. If the remaining two can match the atmosphere and quality of last Sunday's line-up we are in for more treats!
The quality of performance, sound and lighting was 'top-notch' and a real pleasure to photograph. The line-up consisted of Buffalo Huddlestone, The Recks and visiting UK head liners YesSirBoss. Another late return home still allowed time for a quick edit and another 2am finish!

Easter Monday:
What felt like a very early start (9am... very rock 'n roll, eh!) for the first Hill Climb of 2014. Thankfully it stayed dry and it was great to be back 'track-side' capturing the action. There was no lunch break this year so I was tired and hungry by the time I got home ready to relax. But, hey, no chance! It was back to the editing as I had more Guernsey Press pics to submit and I then made a start on the edit for this web site. Needless to say it was another late finish :-(

So there you have it. I hope you enjoyed your casual weekend?

The pay-off for me is that the picture orders are already flowing in. And the best part? When you are back at your desk in the week I'll be out walking with the missus, maybe having a lunch or two at the Fleur du Jardin.

Then I'm sure I'll find time for a few beers at my 'town office', The Cock & Bull :-)

Like I always say, I love my job!

So far I Have added new Galleries for the GIAAC 10km Road Run, the Panthers v Le Mont Saint Basketball, GMC&CC Sandracing and the GMC&CC Hill Climb.

Pics of all six Bands will follow shortly.
VIEW PICS OF THE GMC&CC HILL CLIMB
VIEW PICS OF THE GMC&CC SAND RACING
VIEW PICS OF THE GIAAC 10km ROAD RACE
VIEW PICS OF PANTHERS v LE MONT SAINT BASKETBALL

Last Sunday was another special milestone for this web site.

It has become a tradition that I post a short Blog to celebrate these milestones as they pass... so I will continue this practice:-)

The occasion worth marking is the passing of another 1,000,000 viewings. This takes the total views past the 6,000,000... yes SIX MILLION!

The latest million views took about six months. This seems to be the established average now the web site has settled down into a pattern. The next six months will probably show an increase of one and a half million if past behaviour is repeated. The summertime is busier for me.

The continued interest in my pics is really appreciated. I'm sure that few people will understand how much work goes on behind the scenes - that is the work after the short process of actually taking photographs - to make the regular Gallery updates that keep people coming back to look at my work.

The reward for me is way more than the small income from selling pics. I have enjoyed the appreciation given from the people I photograph. I also know that I am privileged to be able to commit so much time to what started out as just a hobby.

Each time I sit down and consider what to write to mark the extra Million I think back over the last few months. This made me recall a small order for a few digital pics, just last week. There was nothing particularly significant with this order. It certainly only paid for a couple of beers! But, the interesting thing was that the order was for a few pics that I took way back in 2009. That's five years ago!

I've always wondered how someone can wait for so long to order a picture. How do they even remember (or find) the pic after such a long time?

I tell myself that maybe the pictures captured a special moment in the subjects life. The purchaser might have seen the image when it was first added to the Galleries and it made enough impression to be remembered.

Maybe buying a copy of the picture, after all this time, will help them recall and share that moment with others for many years to come?

If I'm right that a picture can mean so much to a person, maybe I really do have the best job in the world?

Check the links below to read previous Milestone Blogs:
CLICK HERE TO READ PREVIOUS MILESTONE BLOGS

Fermain Fest 2014 was held on Saturday at The Fermain Tavern - where else?

Basically the format is music, music and more music spread over an eight hour working day :-) To expand on that a little, the music genre is pretty eclectic - in other words something for almost everyone's tastes.

This varied line-up attracts a great mix of punters who arrive to support their favourites and then hang around to enjoy other artists. I think that is what justifies the 'Fest' in Fermain Fest!

I was on site for most of the eight hours but missed a couple of acts as I had to pop out for other photog work.

I think my favourite act were The Glazzies. They had been heralded with this quote: "Influenced by 90's groups such as Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr. and Queens of the Stone Age, The Glazzies have brought back tense verses and explosive choruses." - AlternativeNation.net

I think that was encouragement enough for me to make sure I didn't miss them. I was not disappointed!

I've now added a full Gallery of pics featuring Jonny Lives!, Sugar Slam, Robert J Hunter, The Glazzies, To the Woods, Brunt, Lydia Pugh and The Doomsday Project. That's quite a full line-up, you'll agree!
VIEW PICS OF FERMAIN FEST 2014

VIEW ROUND-4 OF THE WINTER KART CHAMPIONSHIP
There we go. Everything seems to be back to normal service :-)

So that means a few more Gallery updates.

The Guernsey Kart & Motor Club completed their Winter Kart Championship last Sunday. Pics are now on-line.

Also last weekend Elysium made one of their rare appearances at the Doghouse. There are rumours that this was one of their last gigs! If the Band breaks up that would be a real loss to our music scene as they have established themselves as masters of all things Pink Floyd. It also means that it is even more important for you to catch their next (last?) gig. You have been warned.

Click the links to look at the new Galleries:


VIEW PICS OF THE ELYSIUM GIG AT THE DOGHOUSE