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The 2012 Hill Climb season ended on a rather grey day.... it was pretty miserable!

This is not a comment that would apply to the standard of racing, however.

It was clear right from the start that we were in for a full day of the wet stuff and quite a number of drivers and riders never made it to the start line. Perhaps this was a little disappointing, but who can blame them. Petit Bot hill is very tight in places, suprisingly fast and even in a good (dry) year never offers the best grip due to its setting in a tree-lined and damp valley.

The positive of having a smaller field of competitors was that things ran through very fast and smoothly and the predicted (OK, I was wrong!) continual stopping the retrieve cars out of banks never really happened! Those who made the effort enjoyed a day of fun and speed that will have to keep them going until next year :-)

Spending a day standing in the rain taking pictures is not really my ideal 'day job' but occasionally you get the reward of some special pics. The reflections on the wet road surface and the addition of the spray adds a bit of drama. Trying to keep very expensive cameras and lenses dry(ish) is a real pain in the whatsit. My lenses were continually fogged up and I gave up on the 70-200mm when even the inside of the filter fogged over! Modern professional equipment is made to superb standards but there is always the worry that the water will do damage and the kit will fail you on an important job.

However, a few hours later - after a quick dry-out and check-over - the cameras were back on duty with me in another sweaty environment. This time it was for the Album launch party of Tantale's new recording. The cameras didn't skip a beat, phew! Thanks to the guys for my copy of the CD. I've already played it a few times and can recommend you find a copy. Pics of the Tantale gig will follow shortly.

In the meantime the Petit Bot pics are now online:
PICTURES OF PETIT BOT 2012

I have been tidying up some photoshoots and came across a folder that I hadn't completed. This takes us back to the Greenman Chaos Bike & Music Festival.... way, way back!

There was a Sunday of entertainment which followed on from Friday & Saturday. I have added a few more pics of some of the Bands that played on the Sunday including Ukuladeez, The Doomsday Project and No Paparazzi. There are also a few more pics from the Peace Tent.

The biggest fun of the last day of Chaos 2012 was when three new prospects to join the Guernsey Greenman had a chance to prove that they had a good sense of humour and that they would fit in with the rest of the Greenmen.
Not taking yourself too seriously is obviously a very important quality to fit in :-0

The three guys seemed to enjoy the slapstick every bit as much as the crowd of on-lookers.....maybe a bit too much, eh?!!?!?

New pictures can be viewed here:
VIEW THE LAST OF THE GREENMAN CHAOS 2012 PICS

I thought I had better catch up with a few Gallery updates ahead of another 'away-day' from the studio. Well, in fact it is a few days!

September sees the Motorsport clan pack their toolboxes and tyre warmers and head off to Alderney. Alderney here we come... hope the karaoke is warmed up for Chemy and Phil ;-)

Todays additions are from way back.... the Vale Earth Fair to be precise. So many more pics have been taken since then it seems like an age ago!

So The Earth Fair Gallery is now complete with pictures of RentOClean, Sugarslam, Stone 'Em All, Brave Yesterday, Twelve Tribe Mansion, Last of the Light Brigade, Skid Rue, Land of the Giants, Wild Card, The Recks, Tantale, Speakeasy, The Gaa Gaa's & Rebel Control.

Nobody can say I don't try to give good coverage, eh?

So it will be off to Alderney and more pics, a few beers and NO, I will NOT be on the Karaoke you will be relieved to know :-)
THE FINAL VALE EARTH FAIR UPDATES

With the Jersey Live Festival now in its ninth year it was to be expected that the headline act would be someone special. An international star.

The chosen hero and legend for 2012 was Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds. No arguement there then. Noel is recognised all around the world and his appearance at Jersey Live gives credit to the status this friendly festival has earned.

Their performance was eagerly anticipated and the band delivered 'big time'. Noel's cocky attitude and irreverent humour between the tightly presented and memorable songs went down really well with the crowd and bought the Festival to a closing high.

I have updated a few of the Jersey Live picture galleries including the 'Good Vibes' scenes. Also you can now view a gallery featuring Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.
VIEW NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS... AND OTHERS

I've just returned from what has become my annual trip to Jersey Live.
If you are a regular visitor to this web-site you will know that I photograph many, many Bands & Gigs every year.
However it is the journey over to our sister island that is one of the highlights. I look on it as a bit of a holiday... more like a busmans holiday really ;-)

I am now recognised by many of the security crew and I can only say good things about their friendly and helpful attitudes. They tell me that the Channel Islands are fabulous places to work... apparently we are a bit more 'laid back'. We agree, don't we!

The long weekend sees me sleeping on site in my van with the crews. With the long hours taking pics and a pump-up mattress combined with the after festival parties a good nights sleep is not a problem!

Of course the job is only half-done when I return home. The editing and selection of pictures then has to happen. It's not quite as much fun as taking the pics :-(

As always the best approach is to limit how many pics you take in the first place. The editing process is then a little easier.

I have now broken the back of the job but will still have a bit more to do tommorow. The list of bands already uploaded to the picture gallery is extensive!

Primal Scream, Chase & Status, Alex Clare, The Stranglers, Any Given Sunday, Badlabecques, The Gaa Gaa's, Professor Green, The Valentines, Brave Yesterday, Friends, Maverick Sabre, U.G. & B-Eazy, The Dukes Box, Rizzle Kicks, Monty Taft, Last Dinosaurs, Devlin, Bwani Junction, Janice Graham Band & Jake Bugg.

There is also a new gallery showing some of the weekends atmosphere and good vibes.

Please check-out the new pictures of Jersey Live. If you were there I hope they bring back happy memories. If you didn't go this year maybe I can persuade you that next year is a must.
JERSEY LIVE 2012 PICTURE GALLERIES

Non of my ramblings tonight ;-)

Just a quick note to mention that I have added a couple more picture galleries to the Vale Earth Fair folder.
Unfortunately I will not be able to upload pics of all the bands I photographed before I leave to photograph Jersey Live... I think there are another thirteen to come!

Todays additions include a gallery featuring some shots of the general atmosphere together with pics of Roots Manuva, Blackpool & Teaspoonriverneck.
VIEW THE VALE EARTH FAIR 2012 UPDATES

I have been following the Facebook comments and Tweets and there is a nearly unanimous agreement that 2012 was the best ever year for the Vale Earth Fair. The guys & gals who work so hard to put this 'one day' festival on are to be congratulated.

There is always a massive risk and gamble when commiting so much time and effort towards a single day of the year. So many things (and people) have to come together in an almost gamble of faith.

What if it rains?
What if the Ferries/Flights are cancelled and the Bands can't get here?
Will the word get out there to the punters?

So much cannot be controlled or guaranteed. 'Why do they bother?' I here you ask.
Of course the reasons are the best there are. The VEF Collective are long time supporters of several deserving causes. The Burma Campaign UK, The Free Tibet Campaign, Oxfam and Bridge2Haiti will all benefit from the money raised.

The other worthwhile reason for putting in so much effort is to bring 'like-minded' music lovers into the same space to share a common 'vibe'. This was a mission accomplished once again. The music was varied and of high quality.... the people partied.... everything was good for a day.

I am working through a collection of many pictures of the VEF! This will take a while! I have been asked again to photograph the Jersey Live 2012 Music Festival at the weekend capturing the atmosphere and all the Bands so the updates will be a bit slow.

For now I have added a taster to a new Vale Earth Fair 2012 Gallery. This features the headliners on the Castle stage... Subsource. People will be talking about their performance for years to come.... it was that good!
VIEW THE FIRST VALE EARTH FAIR PICTURES

OK, I ask the question... 'Festivals, who needs them?'

Guernsey has an amazing and very varied Music & Arts scene. A month never goes by without a few 'headline' events. I enjoy supporting many shows, gigs and festivals and I like to think that I take full advantage of the eclectic mix on offer.

However, so often I look around and find that the amount of folk that make the effort to attend is disappointingly small. In fact it is usual to see many of the same familiar faces.

So my word to you is 'keep a ear tuned into the local jungle drums' and listen out for the next event that offers something to your taste. You will be rewarded with time 'out of the house and off the sofa' and you might start a new habit ;-) Say hello if you see me out!

A great place to start would be next weekend at the Vale Earth Fair. Find your way to Vale Castle... it's in the Vale, you can't miss it! The Festival offers a fantastic mix of music... there really is something for every taste. It is child friendly and the setting is certainly unique. Support the local Festivals and you will be spoilt for choice. Remember what they say 'Use it or loose it'.

Ahead of the busy weekend coming up I have been adding a few more pics from another regular Festival... the Greenman Chaos. Latest updates feature pictures of Elmer Henley, ID Shade and The Black Vote:
PICS OF ELMER HENLEY, ID SHADE & THE BLACK VOTE

I have managed to tick off a couple more of the Bands that played at the Guernsey Greenman MCC Chaos Festival 2012.
A couple of visting Bands from Jersey - Stan Smith & The Morves. A UK based Band named Godsized and new local favourite Lifejacket (all one word ;-).

There are still a few more updates before I can call this a 'job done'. Keep an eye on the Gallery.
NEW CHAOS BANDS - THE MORVES, STAN SMITH, LIFEJACKET & GODSIZED

Pete 'Plumb' Bretel, the charismatic frontman of Sugarslam offers the invitation to Rock....
The occasion was the fundraising gig at The Fermain Tavern in aid of the planned Skatepark.
There was a great atmosphere with the 'boarding dudes proving they know how to party!
A good turn-out added a few hundred quid to the fund bringing the prospect of the park another stage nearer. Result.

As for the Band. Well they have proven that they were too long away from the music scene... and also that you must never right-off the oldies (they will forgive the comment, I hope!)
Sugarslam have more gigs booked in the next months. You are invited to join them to Rock :)
New pics have been added to a large Gallery featuring the Band:
TAKE A LOOK AT A LARGE GALLERY OF SUGARSLAM PICS

Guernsey Gigs organised the return of the 'Battle of the Bands' format to the Guernsey live music scene last weekend.
The latest shoot-out was held at the KGV and, from what I saw, it was a great success.
With eleven bands and solo artists taking to the stage there was a guarantee of having many supporters and family attending to support their favourites.
I was only able to spend about half the time at the gig but enjoyed the great mix of performers.

The winning title went to the popular RentOClean. I will reveal that this was the Band that got my vote. They are a 'good-time' band, lively, funky and funny. They get people on their feet and partying.... there is never anything wrong with that :)

Other Bands also deserved my vote but we only had one each!
Having seen the success and interest in BotB's we can hope that it will become an annual event again.
Well done to all those who helped to organise it.... and of course the Bands.

I have added a new Gallery of pictures of the Bands I saw. Dealer's Left, The Phantom Cosmonaut, The Dead Beats, RentOClean, Part in Paris and Lifejacket.
PICTURES OF THE 2012 BATTLE OF THE BANDS

The viewing counter has clicked past the 2.5 MILLION mark for this web site.
I was astonished when we passed 1 MILLION views almost exactly on the day of the first Anniversary :)
The new mark arrives with more than four months to go before the second Anniversary. My target has to be the 3 MILLION MARK after just 2 YEARS, fingers crossed!

Thanks to all the regulars who like to follow the Gallery updates. Thanks also if this is your first ever visit. Come again soon :)

Here are a couple of tips that might help your enjoyment when returning to the web site again. There are now more than 40,000 pics in the Galleries!!! This can make it difficult to find one that you liked on the last visit.

If you have a few favourite pictures this may help....

• You can use the Shopping Cart as a way to remember your favourites.
  Click the 'BUY NOW' button beneath any picture. It will be added to the Cart which then appears at the top of the page and will be remembered for your next visit.
  This doesn't commit you to buy the picture... it just helps you to find it again. You might even be tempted to buy it in the future :)
  
  
• You can also share a link to your favourite pictures by clicking the Facebook icon below each one. Other links are also available.
  
  
• There is also an option to E-mail a link to any picture. Click the E-mail icon and send this to a friend... or even yourself!
  
  
• You can also try using the SEARCH button on the left. Type in a word or two and see what you find!
  
  
• When viewing a Gallery use the ARROW KEYS to move to the next picture.
  
  
• Have you tried the SLIDESHOW option at the top of the 'Thumbnail View' to view all the pictures in a Gallery. You need Adobe Flash Player installed on your system for this to work.
  

I am constantly trying to improve the viewing experience on this web site and always welcome any comments.
Here is my E-mail:
E-MAIL ANDREW LE POIDEVIN

Busy, busy....
I've managed to edit a few more pics from a couple of recent shoots.
The Greenman MCC Chaos 8 Festival was spread over three days and too many bands to count! The rewarding part of the prolonged edit is that I can remind myself of some of the highlights.
One of the expected 'star turns' were Thee Jenerators. New pics are now on-line together with RentOClean & Choke:
NEW PICS OF CHAOS - THEE JENERATORS, RENTOCLEAN & CHOKE

I've also added the first pictures from the 'new boy on the block' when it comes to Mini Festivals.
The Fermain Tavern was the venue for Spoonfest which was curated by the Teaspoonriverneck boys who bought together a mix of bands, films, designers and photographers.
It was a great success and the talk is already hot about the next showing... watch this space.
I popped along and captured some of the performances. First up are one of my favourites, Falenizzahorsepower....
FALENIZZAHORSEPOWER.... FIRST PICS FROM SPOONFEST

Whenever I find a few minutes I am adding to the Greenman MCC Chaos-8 Festival Galleries.
The latest updates include pictures of Bulletproof, Heave & Tantale together with some more shots taken in the Peace Tent.
Check 'em out here:
CHECK-OUT THE LATEST CHAOS-8 GALLERIES

The Greenman MCC Chaos Festival is a bike Festival - with loads of music.
So it would be a suprise if there were no burnouts, wouldn't it?
If you visited the cliff-top site looking for the smell of burning rubber you were not disappointed :)
After the presentation of the prizes for the best bike catagories it was the turn of the tyre shredders.
The star, by quite a margin , was Neil 'Chopper' Looijenga. Lets just say that there was NO chance of him riding that bike home!
I have added new pictures to the Gallery showing the bike winners and burnouts. New Band pictures include Grant Sharkey & Pirate Party Brigade.
VIEW THE CHAOS 8 BURNOUTS

I have been working in Jersey this week completing some Commercial assignments and then covering the Jersey rounds of the Avon MSA British Hill Climb Championship.
This has delayed my selection and preparation of the pics I took at last weeks Greenman MCC Chaos 8 Festival on the cliffs at Pleinmont.
I have already commented in my previous Blog that once again Chaos presented all the ingredients for fun and chilling out.
The Festivals unique position on the cliffs might leave it prone to whatever weather rolls off the sea - but what a view from the mens loos! You won't get that anywhere else in the world. Sorry girls, it's a boys only thing :-)
The live peformances showcased many great acts on three complimentary stages.
Guernsey Gigs have made a fantastic video which really captures the atmosphere
TAKE A LOOK AT THE GUERNSEY GIGS VIDEO

I have now begun to catch up with the Gallery updates. They will still take quite a few days as there were so many Bands playing.
I am also completing a couple of important Commercial jobs which take priority - they pay the bills, unfortunately gig/motor sport photography doesn't!
I will also be adding pictures of the Jersey MSA Hill Climb (Guernsey this weekend) and a Power Boat Championship Race to their own new picture Galleries later next week.
Busy times then, love it!
The first Greenman MCC Chaos 8 Galleries are here (more updates will be added later).
First Bands include: Distant Shores, Deadwing, Big Machine, 2 Minutes 2 Late, Lydia Pugh, Robert J Hunter, Stone Em All, Skid Rue & Peppered Ant Legs.
VIEW THE FIRST GREENMAN MCC CHAOS 8 GALLERIES HERE

The Guernsey Greenman MCC have once again set themselves an even higher standard to reach.... next year will have to be awesome:)
The 2012 Greenman Chaos 8 topped them all in my view.
The gentle 'tweaks' to the established formula included a bigger beer tent. Never a bad idea!
There was an extended cover for the Discharge Stage with a superb lighting set-up, nice (for photogs).
The Peace tent 'did what was on the tin' and offered a refuge - particulaly from the wind! I think there was also a wider variety of music eminating from the small stage. I spent more time in this friendly space this year.

Perhaps it was a disappointment that all three days 'enjoyed' a persistant breeze - OK STRONG WIND - straight off the sea. But those guys 'n' gals who like their music, bikes and entertainment don't get put off easily.
The reward was a superb line-up of Bands and time spent meeting old friends.
For me, there were several highlights, but for now I will say that I was seriously blown away by the performance of Elmer Henley - truly memorable. Please guys.... don't make it the last.
I was obviously taking pics (loads). Today I have been committed to my Commercial photography so the first Galleries will arrive tomorrow.

In the meantime you really MUST take a look at this great short film put together by the guys at Guernsey Gigs. If you visited Chaos 8 you will have a 'memory trip' - it really captures the atmosphere.
If you didn't go then this video will convince you that you missed a good 'un.
VIEW A FANTASTIC VIDEO OF CHAOS 8 BY GUERNSEY GIGS

The Kaiser Chiefs were the eagerly awaited headliners for the 2012 Guernsey Festival.
Their reputation as an anthemic festival band had gone before them... but would they disappoint?
Well, there never was a risk of that really. Other than the rumour that went around the festival site that they would not go on stage until the England v Italy game was over!
Of course they turned up and did their thing.
The band has a book full of 'sing-a-long' numbers to keep any crowd happy - and they loved it. The performance filled the stage, indeed the whole 'big top'!

So a fitting end to the second Guernsey Festival which, once again, bought many quality acts to our little island. Already the speculation has started about another in 2013.
Will it happpen? I hope so. But the twin brothers, Jon & Paul Stephen, will need our encouragement as it is a massive commitment for them.
Make your voices heard!
I have now updated the Guernsey Festival picture galleries with pics of Kaiser Chiefs, The Selecter, San'Jyla, Utah Saints, Maverick Sabre, Little Barrie, The Spindle Sect, Wrongdom meets Deemas J, Mt. Wolf and Festival hosts Janice Long & Wes Butters.
GUERNSEY FESTIVAL PICTURE GALLERIES

Jon & Paul Stephen once again pulled together a remarkable festival at 'The Warren' in Guernsey.
This was only the 2nd Guernsey Festival but already it was obvious that lessons learned from No. 1 had been acted on and improvements were made in the layout of the festival site, the facilities and many other details.
Once again the line-up of Bands was varied with great headliners. There were also Bands that were unknown to many of the festival goers before seeing them on the two main stages. I left with a list of music that I wanted to check-out in the next few weeks. This surely is a key part of the experience, fun and musical education of the festival format?
I have been reading the Facebook blogs of those that attended and there is overwhelming support for another festival in 2013.

However, it is clear that such a massive venture takes a big financial outlay and gives an emotional and stressful 'roller-coaster' to the two brothers. We must hope that when they have had time to sit back and count the cost - to their well being and pocket! - that they find the energy and resource to make a 2013 Guernsey Festival a reality.
Fingers crossed. Make your support known to them.
I was official festival photographer and was able to capture many of the perfomances.... great fun but long days with more long hours in the studio processing the pics ;-)
The first of many picture galleries have been added. More will follow.
Click the link to view the first pictures of Macy Gray, Hadouken, King Charles, The Spindle Sect, In Tyler we Trust, Delilah, Kassidy, Albert Lee, Josh Kumra and Kitten & The Hip.....
VIEW THE FIRST PICS OF THE 2012 GUERNSEY FESTIVAL

Last weekend was a busy one!
Guernsey hosted two massive events, and I photographed both of them.
Each shoot needed pics submitted before print deadlines and saw me working until 3am on a couple of days ;-)
This is no complaint though. It was great fun and when you capture a few pics that you are happy with it makes all the long hours worth while.
The first spectacle was the ACU British Sand Ace Championship followed by two days at the Guernsey Festival.
The best result for me has been having my ACU British Sand Ace pics published in Speedway Star Magazine. I have also had double page spreads of both events published in the Guernsey Press. There are also a couple of other National publications looking to publish pics, fingers crossed.
However, unfortunately, there is no short cut when it comes to editing and preparing a large amount of pictures.... so the answer is to take as few as you can! Less is more!
Even with this aim I have had to sort through many hundreds of images, and the job still has a way to go yet :-(
A few more long days (and nights) will get the job done.
So far I have completed the picture galleries for the Sand Ace Championship. Guernsey Live will follow shortly...
VIEW THE ACU CONDOR FERRIES SAND ACE GALLERIES