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Technology..... It's a Love/Hate thing for me.....

I'm about to use the word 'fail' again in a 2016 Blog and it's only the 2nd of January! Read on to have a chuckle at my expense :-)

I think I come out of the 'boys like toys' mould and have been spending on technology since I first collected pocket money. Back in those days Lego was cutting edge!

However as the years have passed I've trained myself to consider purchases more maturely.

But every few years the itch starts again and the Internet draws me to something special.

A few months ago I decided that I deserved a new cutting edge computer. Weeks were spent researching and the day came to press the 'Buy button' for a system that is now the envy of NASA. I think there might be a Blog to come later on the specs!

The thing is, past experience has shown me that computer upgrades never go quite as smoothly as you hope. These days software registrations, passwords and many other things try and trip you up at every turn.

This is why I planned on making the move over to the new speed machine a slow and measured affair. Even then there have been several hiccups and late nights. I think there's another Blog there too!

Now let me tell you this little story.... It actually relates to yesterday's Cross Country Blog.

As you may have read, I'd been asked to photograph the run for the Guernsey Press. Part of the brief was making it VERY CLEAR that there was an EARLY print deadline. I also knew that the back page layout had already been planned and my shot had to be an upright. A blank hole awaited. No problem I thought.

I spent an enjoyable hour or so taking the pics down at Mont Cuet tip whilst chatting with the Guernsey Press Sport's Editor... he really is passionate about sport and journalism in general.

When we parted my last word to Rob Batiste was that I was going straight back to the office and the pics would follow ASAP.

Forty-three minutes after my last photograph (aided my blisteringly fast Super Computer) I had selected, edited and tagged my pics ready for e-mailing.

I was enjoying the warm feeling of being on top of a job.... Little did I know!

I probably qualify as a 'belts and braces' guy. This outlook means that I always submit my work to two different client e-mail addresses. I also BCC copy them into another one of my own accounts. This is checked to ensure the e-mail has 'left the building'.

It was only when I received a remarkably calm phone call from Rob that I realized something had gone wrong... he asked 'When can I expect to get the pics Andrew'?

Oh, heck. The print deadline loomed!

I told Rob the e-mails were sent nearly three hours ago to his xxxxx@guernsey-press.com e-mail address. 'But that one hasn't been active for years' he said 'there's no hyphen in there now'!

Due to my belts and braces mentality I had saved a copy of all the pics on to a USB stick (just in case of problems) and I offered to pop down to Rob's office immediately but he suggested that I simply 'try the correct e-mail' and of course this worked first time!

But what had gone wrong? I had to try and find where this ancient e-mail had appeared from.

Well, what I have found out only re-enforces my Love/Hate of technology.

I think that the move to a new computer and the installation of new e-mail systems were the problem. It seems that the 'helpful' software takes a look at your old 'Sent' folders and lifts all the e-mail addresses out into a new Contact list.

Now I'm sure you are like me, few of us remember actual phone numbers or e-mails any more as the phone/computer does that stuff for us now.

So when I started to enter the Guernsey Press e-mail addresses the 'helpful' computer finished them for me... I didn't realise that the 'old' e-mail address had been filled in - I just pressed send!

When I double-checked that the e-mailed pics had arrived back into my own backup e-mail, I enjoyed the warm feeling of success thinking that the job was done.

FAIL!

A word I hope won't feature in another Blog this year :-)

BTW, a blank back page was averted and my reputation has survived - but only just!

3am EDIT: I've just watched the Jules Holland Hootenanny and realized how many of the artists on the show I've been lucky to photograph.... then I got hooked by the BBC coverage of Glastonbury 2015..... MASSIVE & MAGNIFICENT... and I want to photograph it :-0

So to the Blog>.................

I warn you, this is going to ramble.

It's New Years eve and inevitably, like so many of my previous Blogs, it'll be late by the time I manage to upload this update. Also, as is often the case, I've partaken in a couple of pints of Real Ale and a few glasses of red wine. (3am EDIT.... add a couple of Whisky's to that list too). What could possibly go wrong!

I'm sitting here at years end (I guess like many others) thinking both about the year that is about to become history together with the future... 2016, here we come.

These moments of contemplation will always be individual and personal. But allow me to share my own thoughts.

Inevitably my mind goes back through the previous busy year of photography. Once again I have enjoyed almost every moment of my 2015 photographic year.

But things could always have been done differently... and certainly there is always room to improve and change. So that begs the question 'What could I have done differently and where did I go wrong?'

So I will allow myself to expose (nice little photographic reference there!) some of my photographic failings to you, just as long as you promise not to tell anyone else!

So where did I fail?

Well, just yesterday, I was updating a picture gallery for one of my favorite local bands... Thee Jenerators. THIS IS A LINK TO THE GALLERY

The latest gig I photographed them at was a photographers nightmare. When you combine a band that will not stand still for a moment together with light levels akin to candlelight it will always be a challenge.

I'm pleased to say that I ended up with quite a few keepers (33 out of the 49 pics taken), but could I have done better?

My personal 'style' of photography encompasses taking as few pics as I possibly can (born lazy, eh). I try and limit the shutter presses to the peak moments of action. My belief is that you give yourself a massive editing workload by being 'trigger happy'.

This was highlighted for me during 2015 when I shot an indoor sporting event alongside an ambitious young local 'photog'. He was using his camera in machine gun mode and must have gone home with 1000+ pics. I took 251 and had 170 keepers after the cull.

I have also had this experience whilst working off-island alongside top pro motorsport and festival 'togs. Some, but by no means all, fire off endless pics - seemingly with the idea that 'One of 'em has to be a keeper'! So maybe it's me who is completely wrong on this but one thing I'm sure about is that my editing time is a lot shorter than theirs!

But back to my point. I still think that restraint is a good thing. I believe that I should consider the timing and composition of each image before I press the shutter release button.

Even after taking this stance the final part of the photographic process is still to come... the edit. This is the time extra discipline and ruthlessness is needed and I think I'm failing in this area and could complete most assignments to a better standard by taking a less 'precious' view of my pics during the edit.

Although I attempt to restrain myself at the capture stage I then go on to 'fail' when it comes to the edit. I think I'm not ruthless enough when deleting the rubbish.

So let me take one step back, I mentioned that I've just updated the Thee Jenerators Gallery. This led me to be distracted by looking through some of the old pics in the Thee Jenerators gallery. Some going back five years. This was quite enlightening.

Remember that I said that Thee Jenerators were one of my favorite bands. This is because they take 'performance' beyond simply standing behind a microphone.

This then is where my lessons started and my current 'mantra' of trying to be vicious with my picture editing revels itself as still needing a bit (OK a lot) of work!

There are quite a few pics in the gallery which, I think, capture the full character and performance of this energetic band... but too many pics have crept in that are nothing more than average... or worse. These should never have seen the light of day... or the Internet! Thankfully most of them are from several years ago, including the 5 year old example below. Maybe this proves that I am getting a bit better at what I'm doing ;-)

It's clear that I still have loads to learn but take this New Years tip from me and short-cut your own scholarship. You can borrow my own New Years resolution that 'In 2016 I will try and make my picture edits more ruthless'. The delete button on the keyboard is there for a good reason..... to help us improve the quality of our work.

I'm resisting the urge to delete my 'fails' from the Thee Jenerators gallery to give you the chance to see what I am talking about here. I'd love to know which pics you think are the 'fails'. Please let me know what you think and we can compare notes.... This is my e-mail CLICK HERE TO E-MAIL ME.

You can be as ruthless with me as I like... I need the help ;-)

Oh, and one final tip from me (for FREE).... and it's one that I use myself sometimes.

I still have some old 1GB cards that only hold 36 pictures. It really focuses your mind when you shoot with one of those - just like it did when I started taking pics on real film and it cost money with every click!!

3.15am EDIT: Time for bed I think ;-)

Variety is the spice of photography... just as it is in life itself.

I am able to mix many genres of image taking into most of my working weeks and this keeps me interested and motivated... although maybe I should find a better way to describe what I do as the term 'working' doesn't really portray how I feel about my avocation.

My Blog often states how much I enjoy what I do and after more than a decade of life spent exclusively looking through a lens my luck, good fortune and opportunity to pursue photography full-time still feels as special as the first step I took on this amazing journey.

It is also rather special that so many people have joined me along the way by occasionally popping along to this web-site to see the latest updates.

Today I'm amazed to see that the total views on this web-site have reach another Milestone with ELEVEN MILLION VIEWS being logged!

May I say a BIG THANK YOU to you all.

As it has become traditional to mark these Milestones you might like to view a few previous Blogs:
CLICK TO VIEW A FEW PREVIOUS MILLION MILESTONE BLOGS

TEN MILLION has a nice ring to it doesn't it?

How nice it would be to have that many Pounds in the Bank.... even Dollars would be OK for me!

However the chances of a professional photographer ever making that sort of money are pretty unlikely :-(

So when TEN MILLION features anywhere in my working life it will always feel a bit special... and that number has just shown up.

I've been running this web-site since 24th October 2010. It replaced what is now my very dated original web-site (still on-line for nostalgia only).

This means that it's still a couple of months short of five years since www.guernseymotorsport.com went live.

I'm incredibly proud to say that (since the start) this web-site has been viewed an amazing TEN MILLION times!!

The first MILLION views took one year - almost to the day. This current year will see over THREE MILLION views and I am thinking that this is probably where the level will settle... but who knows?

My decision to work full-time as a photographer came about ten years ago when I was 50 years old after I sold a business.

I tried retirement but that was horrible! It might sound like a good idea but I'm someone who has to be creative and challenged. So I turned a hobby into a job... and it has certainly been challenging!

However I have loved nearly every single hour of it... and there are many more hours put into photography than I ever gave to my old 'proper job'. How did that happen?

It must also be said that in the decade that I have relied on photography for my income the whole industry has been shaken up and changed beyond recognition. It now seems that everyone who has a DSLR and a Facebook page is a 'Photographer'.

But I've never regretted the decision to give it a try and I've now established a loyal following and a good sized base of regular Commercial customers for TALLPICTURES.com.

My thirty-five years spent as a retailer have stood me in good stead to respond to competition and (after a short period when I questioned the future viability) I now realise that it isn't what other people are doing, it is about what you do for yourself that either 'makes or breaks' a business.

There's also lots of room in the marketplace for every-one.

I'm now privileged to make an income out of my passion and I genuinely thank all the visitors to this web-site and the many customers who buy pictures.

So that now brings me to the future.

Well I have a couple of very exciting new developments on the way. More about those later :-)

That was a day to remember... Liberation Guernsey 2015, fantastic!

The day was promoted as a day to celebrate and remember 70 years of freedom and it is likely to be the last one in the current form... but what a way to go out!

With fewer and fewer guernsey residents having personal memories of the liberation of the Island after the occupation during WW2 our national holiday on May 9th will probably be 're-invented' in future years. So this, perhaps, is why the 'Guerns' were out in such huge numbers and with such party spirits all around St Peter Port on Saturday.

The atmosphere was infectious which is just as well because I had a VERY long day working all around the event. The energy and enthusiasm of the crowd kept me going :-)

I was commissioned by the States of Guernsey (together with Chris George) to capture the days colour and atmosphere. I also worked for the Guernsey Press.

This meant me putting in a 21 hour day and my iPhone App recorded a total mileage walked of 14.9 miles... not bad to say that was all done between Market Square and North Beach car-park!! My aching bones and blisters didn't need an App to remind me of the mileage covered!

Now is the time to take a seat to work on the edit of the long days work. I've made a start and the first gallery is now online. This features some of the day-time spectacle. I will be adding another gallery featuring the night-time bands shortly.

Follow the link to view the Liberation Guernsey pics:
VIEW PICS OF THE LIBERATION DAY 2015 CELEBRATIONS

I missed adding a Blog on the day it actually happened but tradition has it that I try and mark each time the viewing counter for this web-site breaks through another MILLION recorded views.

The NINE MILLION figure was smassshed a couple of days ago when I was stacked with the Bank Holiday work. Hence the late Blog.

So here we have the latest landmark and it seems to confirm that when the TEN MILLION mark is passed that will herald a new 'twelve month' best of THREE MILLION views in one year! Nice.

You may have noticed that I quite like the word 'MILLION' as I have used it (in Internet swearing CAPITALS) so many times already in this Blog!

Thanks a MILLION (just one more for luck!) for the continued interest in my work and I hope you find the time to visit again soon.

Here is a link to some of the previous MILLION marking Blogs:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PREVIOUS MILLION MARKING BLOGS

Roy de Jersey is one of those people who seems to find a couple more hours in each day than the rest of us. He always has several projects on the go and he showed me a few as we walked around his workshop before this photoshoot.

Roy is a big fan of classic bikes, particularly if they can be raced - which he still does, and his engineering skills have kept many old bikes 'alive' and on the road.

Roy also has a special talent when it comes to model-making and recently had this recognised when he won his class in the Guernsey Eisteddfod with this beautifully crafted and detailed model of the Cutty Sark.

I was invited along to capture a few pics of the Cutty Sark and I have to agree with the Eisteddfod Ajudicator's comment that Roy's two years of fine detailed work are near perfect.

Roy already has another model boat started... I should expect another call in about two years time!
VIEW PICS OF ROY DE JERSEY'S CUTTY SARK

Can I just say a huge thank-you to everyone who has visited this web-site since the weekend. I'm staggered by the enormous interest in my work :-)

The automatic counter that runs at the bottom of the page has shown well over 50,000 new views which makes my efforts all worthwhile!

I hope you have found pictures that interest you and that you are encouraged to make a return visit every so often. I can guarantee that you will always find new updates.

.... oh, and don't forget that you can buy an occasional pic on-line which will encourage me to keep offering up-to-date coverage of all these events ;-)

Thanks again,
Andrew

I am reckoning that it is now safe to update one of my picture galleries.

This particular gallery always requires an update at about this time of year. That is because it features work that was sold over the Christmas period to be given as presents.

I always find myself having to be careful not to reveal any 'secrets' in the run-up to the big day. I design, print and deliver these special personalised gifts during the weeks leading up to Christmas and it would not be appreciated if I let the surprise out of the bag to the recipient!

The gallery I am referring to is the one that features my custom designed Montages. These always sell well for gifts as they are a great way to display a few favourite pics.

Unfortunately, it's a fact that when someone just buys a 'normal' print in one of the smaller sizes it often ends up in a draw, forgotten and rarely seeing the light of day :-(

So the best answer is to buy something that deserves a little bit of wall space. Montages tick that box. The final design is customised just for you and will encourage you to keep it on display. I even offer an option to have the Montage framed before delivery. Nice and easy, job done.

Of course the fact that no-one wants the surprise spoilt before the big day means I cannot add the gift Montages to this web-site until all the parties are over. I reckon it is safe now so the updates are now on-line.

Oh, can I just remind you that Christmas 2015 is on the way... don't forget to start your pressie list ;-)
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE UPDATED MONTAGE GALLERY

It's taken a few days but I can now look forward to the New Year. Most of the back-log of recent work is complete, or at least under control.

So it's time to look forward to the New Year and I'm really optimistic as last year was my busiest ever. It was also the most varied I've had so far... and you know what they say variety is the spice of life :-)

My diary is already looking good and the important 'variety' factor is definitely there.

If you make even occasional visits to this blog you will know that I consider it a rare privilege to be able to earn my living doing exactly what I enjoy..... and I have no boss to answer to. (Hope the missus doesn't read this!)

This New Year has already started on a high with my pics being featured in a leading UK Magazine Powerboat & Rib. The bar has been set high with this three page spread featuring the 2014 3A/3B World Powerboat Championships. Can other National publications follow? The target is set!

However there is one certainty. Once again I will be working many more hours than when I had a 'proper job' - and I will enjoy (nearly) every minute.

This just leaves the mandatory New Years resolution: I really must get myself another photoshoot in a helicopter ;-)

Hello 2015, bring it on :-)

2014 was a great year.

Being a photographer is a great job!

The thing I like best is that I get to re-live the most enjoyable moments when I edit my pics.

I've just had a brilliant week catching up with the last of the major edits from 2014. That is the Jersey Live Gallery. As always there were lots of bands lined up on multiple stages so I spent my time dashing between them trying to tick my list of 'must see' acts. This effort wasn't helped by the bar being strategically placed between the stages.

Inevitably I don't recall every detail... but editing the pics has helped me remember ;-)

I think that I will now declare the Jersey Live 2014 picture gallery is complete. There are about twenty-four galleries including three which showcase the atmosphere and behind the scene.

Final updates include:

Catfish and the Bottlemen
Earth Wind & Fire Experience feat. Al McKay
Luke Friend
The Graveltones
Molotov Jukebox
Newton Faulkner
Frankie Davies
Simon Gasston
The Doors Live
The Little Big Band
Clashmar
Billy Rowan
Hannah Jacques
and Sergeant Pipon

....... it makes you wonder how I ever had time to get a hangover!!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COMPLETE JERSEY LIVE 2014 GALLERY

I wonder what are you getting for Christmas?

....read on to find out what I received in my early Xmas sack!

But first, can I tell you that I am having to keep quite a few secrets at the moment as I know (shhhhh) what dozens of you are about to receive under your Christmas tree. (Hint) I hope you have a little space on the wall above the fireplace ;-)

This festive period has been my busiest yet for picture sales with Framed Montages and Canvases proving to be extremely popular.

Christmas is almost like a 'harvest-time' for me as the twelve months of cultivating interest in my photography pays off. It also illustrates very well just how hard-working and consistent you have to be to nurture a large and loyal following. For this festive season I have been selling pics from across the whole genre of my work... everything from Elevated Panoramic shots to Sports, Racing and Band pics.

I'm very, very lucky that I've established myself as a photographer who specialises in the subjects that I really love... namely Motorsport and Music performance and it is incredible how many people also share the same love. I know there are many other photographers who pursue these same interests and regularly visit my galleries to comment on and critique my work. Maybe even pick up a few tips? ;-)

But what really amazes me is how many people are simply interested in viewing my picture galleries. The total number of picture views is amazing and I thank all the regular visitors.

So now I had better reveal what I have just received as an early Christmas present. The pressie takes the form of my web-site total views smashing through another mile-stone number.

The total views of this web-site have just topped 8,000,000, EIGHT MILLION, WOW!

This new record comes after just four years from the very first upload. The 'year one' views were recorded at 1,000,000 and have consistently grown up to today's annual count of around 2,500,000!

As the new year approaches I remain encouraged by the interest in my work and my New Years resolution is to work even harder at what I love.... oh, and to drink much more Real Ale!

.....consistent, reliable and predictable, that's me :-)

Thanks for your continued support. Have a very Happy Christmas and a fun New Year!

You can read about some of the previous 'mile-stones' here:
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT SOME OF THE PREVIOUS MILE-STONES

Andrew

The Guernsey Donkey can be a bit stubborn when you try to get it to move.

However if the carrot is big enough and it starts down the road there will be no stopping it!

I have a feeling that the Facebook campaign under the heading of 'Enough is Enough GSY' is building that unstoppable momentum :-)

The turnout for the demonstration on North Beach against the threatened new General Sales Tax, Paid Parking and increased Refuse Collection costs was fantastic.

But the trigger for the organised protest was the threat of the introduction of a mixed bag (and poorly judged) range of Vehicle Width and CO2 emission taxes. Maybe this was the final straw that broke the Donkey's back?

The Donkey's came out in force... and we're a stubborn lot :-)

I took a few pictures of the protesters. They are now on-line:
VIEW PICTURES OF THE ENOUGH IS ENOUGH PROTEST

I'm beginning to feel a bit like a Lumberjack.... but it's not OK!

I am currently trying to handle a serious log-jam of work!

This shouldn't be a problem really. I suppose it suggests that I have established a solid client base for my photography as the Elevated and Commercial work rolls in. Then there is the Motorsport & Gig photography as well.

However, I have always been some-one who likes to keep ahead of the game... or at least in touch!

So when I sat at my office desk this morning I wondered if things are going wrong?

A less than complete list of 'To-do's' reads something like this:

Edit eight Elevated Tallpictures shoots taken in Jersey & Guernsey during the last two weeks
Send out the Monthly Accounts
Update Galleries for:
The last two Hillclimbs
The North Beach Twisty Sprint
The Vale Earth Fair
Two Days of Jersey Live Music Festival
The West Show
Gig pics of Top Buzzer
Gig pics of Static Alice
The Tri-Ultimate Challenge

... and that list goes on!

Then add in this weeks big commitment to the World Championship Powerboat Racing Class 3A and 3B.

I think I will be unavailable for a while :-(

I have managed to tick off one from the list. Pics of the first ever North Beach Twisty Sprint are now on-line:
VIEW PICS OF THE FIRST NORTH BEACH TWISTY SPRINT

• A4 Standard Print
  
• Digital 7" x 5"
  
• A5 Standard Print
  
• Digital 1024 Pixel for Internet
  
• A4 Bevel Mounted Print
  
• A4 Bevel Mounted & Framed Print
  
• A3 Bevel Mounted & Framed Print
  
• A2 Framed Custom Designed Montage
  
• 16" x 24" Canvas Print
  
• A2 Standard Print
  

I've spent a little time analysing my picture sales and the list shows the top ten by number of sales.

This sort of in-depth look at where a business is succeeding or failing in its provision of services is an important part of running any company, big or small.... and I definitely qualify as the later!

I'm a one-man-band and proud of this with no ambition to change things. I've clearly lost my youthful drive and ambition :-(

In a 'previous life' I was a director of a fairly large (by Guernsey standards) retail business. I was responsible for the development of extra retail areas which offered the opportunity to extend product ranges. I also spent many, many hours a week analysing the sales performance and stock control.

I guess that when you develop a 'habit' over a period of 35 years it is a little difficult to break it. So this is how I found myself with a couple of hours to spare and a thirst for analysing my current source of income.

My business model is built around the desire to offer the very highest quality of service and output... from capture to the supply of the final print. You will note that I say 'print', not digital file! I'm a bit old fashioned about this and, whilst I do sell thousands of digital files, I firmly believe a quality print takes a lot of beating

It was this desire to supply the very best prints that led me to purchase the Epson 4800 printer. All my prints are produced 'in house' where I have total control of the processing and I love the quality that this pigment printer produces.

I also hand cut the board mounts that have proved to be incredibly popular. They really protect and display a print so much better than a basic un-mounted one.

Of course, having the mounted print framed as well really does the 'proper job'. I encourage you to consider just one framed and mounted print instead of perhaps buying three basic prints. The result is so much more special! Again the framing is done 'in house'.

So, as I said at the start, the intention of my analysis was to give me actual figures of my picture sales... and the results were almost exactly what I expected. So was it a waste of time then? No, not at all. As I mentioned it is always important to keep on top of new developments and then make changes in your business model.

And I have come to one conclusion after studying the figures and I will be responding to it during the next few months.

Basically it is the observation that most sales are for the cheaper options. Of course they are. I'm hardly surprised - neither are you, I guess!

But as a photographer it is a little disappointing. I really enjoy seeing my pictures displayed in the best way. An old creased and tattered print at the bottom of a draw isn't how I intended my work to end up.

So my aim for the future is to encourage, at every opportunity, the sales of the larger prints and particularly the mounted prints... or better yet the framed prints. I'm certain that my customers will have far greater satisfaction with their purchase... and the 'feel good' factor of their purchase will last for a lot longer. That has to make good business sense.

This doesn't herald a signal that I'm getting greedy or trying to make my fortune (some chance!).

No, I want to see that my customers are satisfied and enjoying my work in the most presentable way.

You have been warned.... The hard-sell starts here!
TAKE A LOOK AT THE VARIOUS PRINT OPTIONS AVAILABLE... BUY BIG, BUY FRAMED!

VIEW PICS OF THE BRITISH SHOWJUMPING GUERNSEY DERBY
I am quite amazed how busy this photography 'one man band' actually is!

I'm not sure why this should be as there are more than enough photographers competing for the same business. But the fact is that I am continually booked and trying to keep up with my work. The photography I am commissioned for is amazing in its variety and I have a couple of really exciting new projects on the go... more about them later.

It is the Commercial 'Tallpictures' business that is the main side (read income) of my photography. However I don't often add pictures of this work due to the private nature of photographing property. A taster for that side of my work can be viewed here:
VIEW THE TALLPICTURES GALLERIES

This web-site mostly presents the other sides of my work - mainly all forms of Sports Photography and Festival/Gig photography.

It is these areas of work that I have been catching up with and a few more picture galleries have been added.

These small galleries feature a few pics of the recent Channel Islands Golf Championship Finals, the Full Boar Rifle Inter-insula and the British Showjumping Guernsey Derby at Chemin le Roi.

Follow the links to view the pics:

VIEW PICS OF THE FULL BOAR RIFLE INTER-INSULA

VIEW PICS OF THE CHANNEL ISLANDS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS

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

Chef Simon McKenzie had a final practice run of his menu before travelling to London to compete in the semi-final of National Chef of the Year. I was invited into his kitchen as he performed his magic.

As the three courses were plated up I was very lucky to be offered them to taste and can assure you that they were all wonderful! I hope my pictures do justice to the dishes as there was very little time to capture the shots... no it wasn't because I tucked straight in!!

All the food shots were taken directly in the kitchen using a microwave as a base and a convenient window that happened to look out over an overgrown field. A touch of flash was added to make the food glisten.

I spoke with Simon during his preparations and learnt that he is a keen photographer. I side-stepped the argument about which camera is best, Nikon or Canon. Obviously it is NIKON!

Simon talked about how he was involved with the production of food photography earlier in his career. He related a couple of stories of how the Pro 'togs 'tweak' the food to make it look great... rendering it inedible at the same time.

That wasn't a problem in this case. Everything was freshly prepared and cooked right in front of me. No tweaking played a part in the photography. It would have been a crime not to be able to eat it... yum, yum
VIEW PICS OF SIMON McKENZIE PREPARING FOR CHEF OF THE YEAR

The Pilot and his wife were able to walk away from the wreckage of their Socata TB-10 Tobago after it crashed shortly after taking off from Guernsey Airport at approx 5pm on 17th June 2014.

I was able to gain access to Mr & Mrs Brehaut's driveway which allowed me to deploy the 26 Metre mast to capture a unique view of the crash scene and aircraft.

The views show the airport runway in the background which suggests the route the aircraft must have taken after taking off. It also shows how many properties were fortunately avoided.

Aircraft crashes are extremely rare however in this case I think it is fair to comment that everyone, both on the aircraft and living in the area have been very lucky that no serious injury occurred.
VIEW A FEW PICS OF THE LIGHT AIRCRAFT CRASH SITE