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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

Spring-time was out in all its glory over the weekend.

I was lucky to be able to spend a little time on the beach... and I get to call it work :-)

The weather for Round-4 of the Guernsey Autocross Championship was wonderful. Chouet beach was a great place to be and the early start didn't seem to slow down how quick lunch-time came around and the need for me to move on to the next event.

Thankfully it was more of the same as I arrived at the Trials sections (on the beach) at Fort Grey.

Again the sun was out and the beach was a very pleasant place to be. But I knew I had to work at things to capture the best action shots so after a short time I headed in-land unto Andy Benstead's land where other sections were laid out.

This was the best move for me as I was able to capture pics that were both action shots and of value to me using my 'photographic eye'. What do I mean? Well a photographer can only capture the light and action before him and the light within the small wooded area of the Trials sections was low, warm and painted by shadows. No photographer could resist it!

If you were one of the competitors riding the sections, I hope you had fun and understand how a photog looks at the scene in front of them with a different eye...

I've added the Autocross & Trials pics to my Galleries. Take a look:

VIEW PICS OF THE AUTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

VIEW PICS OF BIKE TRIALS

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

Contrary to what some may be thinking, I haven't been on holiday. In fact I can't remember the last time I went on one! Perhaps the need for a holiday is reduced when every day (of work) seems a bit like fun. Lucky me!

You might have thought I was on a break if you have tried to view this web-site in the last few days... it had disappeared :-(

I won't begin to try and understand, let alone try to explain, what happened but it seems that some web 'DNS stuff' went haywire. By the way, the 'DNS stuff' was the technical term used by my professional web-site designing son. He knew he had to keep it simple if I was to understand anything.

One thing that an untimely breakdown like this does is remind me of how many viewings the Galleries have each day. The daily figure varies between 5,000 and the best ever of over 40,000!!

It also makes me feel 'wanted' (ah, sweet) because I received quite a number of e-mails from people complaining that they couldn't see their pics.

Now everything seems to be getting back to normal (hopefully) I have added a new Gallery with pics of the weekends Sprint racing at Vazon, enjoy:
VIEW THE NEW SPRINT RACING GALLERIES

There's no stopping the Motocross Championship now that it's on a roll!

The lost meetings due to the weather are now distant memories and the racers have enjoyed another cracking race with the track performing really well.

Today passed with the early showers rolling away leaving strong winds and each threatening cloud skirting either side of the track. Our luck has changed :-)

Combine this with no delays for 'hospital runs', like the last couple of meetings, and just about every box had a positive tick.

I've made a quick edit of my pics and they are now on-line.
VIEW THE LATEST MOTOCROSS PICS

The viewing figures for this website topped 14,000 yesterday!

That's quite a good number, I hope you agree :-)

What makes it even better is that I had only uploaded two galleries of the weekends work. There were actually six photoshoots in total that I completed over the two days.

So that means I'm still catching up with the other jobs... so there are still more new pics to come :-)

I've just ticked another shoot off the list as the Autocross Banger racing picture gallery in now on-line.

Follow this link to check them out:
VIEW THE WEEKENDS AUTOCROSS RACING

I admit that I'm quite amazed at the interest in this web site and my work... amazed but encouraged and pleased (time for a smiley I think).

:-)

I had a late night last night. Or should I say 'early morning' as it was past midnight when I began uploading the first pics from the busy weekend. I had a couple of Press submission deadlines to complete first but once I 'put my back into it' the time flew by and I found that the GMC&CC 2-Day Trials pics were soon ready for my web galleries.

Having uploaded them I did a bit of tidying up of the days work - again time flew by and it was soon 1.45am. During this period I had Google Analytics running in the background and to my surprise the new Gallery was taking loads of hits!

It begs the question 'when do you guys actually sleep?' I know, I was also one of those insomniacs... but I was working. What was your excuse?

This is no complaint from me :-) I thank all of you for the interest. It's probably just another example of what an 'immediate world' we live in.

The Motocross racers can also now collect their 'picture fix' as I have added pics of their racing...
PICS OF THE WEEKENDS MOTOCROSS

Those were two busy days. But great fun.

Once again I now retreat to my small office having had a brilliant weekend of shooting (the photographic kind, of course). I probably won't be seen again for a few days as I work through the shots of two Gigs, Motocross racing, Autocross racing and the 'biggie' of the weekend, the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club 2-Day Trials.

It was the Trials meeting that has worn me out - and I was only following around trying to capture the best action! To do this I have been up and down cliff slopes, rock piles and and all manner of obstacles. I've lost count of how many sections I covered.

However I'm sure my bones won't be aching like the riders :-)

The quality of the Expert riders was high with some of the sections needing huge commitment. This entertained hundreds of spectators around the course.

I'll be adding picture galleries during the next few days so check-out this Blog for updates...
VIEW PICS OF THE 2-DAY TRIALS

The weekend has seen me testing the latest addition to my kit bag in the form of the new NIKON D4S.

This recent update to the NIKON D4 only seems to offer a small selection of fairly minor tweaks. This leads us to the question 'is it worth the upgrade?'

Only time will tell. It will take a few months working in the areas that I specialise to convince me that the new purchase is justified! However I've never been disappointed with the NIKON updates so far. There are always the negative comments made on the Photography Forums by people who expect more. But I think they miss the point. Todays cameras offer amazing quality - big improvements cannot be expected with every new update.

I am happy if there are measurable improvements in the quality of capture in the genre of photography I work... namely fast moving sports, motorsport and 'live performance' photography - mostly in the low level and contrasting light that gigs & festivals offer.

Anyone who regularly pops in to read this blog should know that I am a committed NIKON user. I've never doubted that Canon (as the only serious rival producing 'full spec' professional cameras) can equal, better or improve on the equivalents in the NIKON range. But it's never bothered me which brand takes a temporary lead in the race to perfection. My own work still falls short of that 'perfect' goal so any of the cameras should serve me perfectly well :-)

What I do look for though is reliability, ease of use and the familiarity of a camera that is 'tuned into' my particular style of work. Nikon has provided these things for me over many years.

So now the big question is 'Why did I feel it was necessary to upgrade to the D4S' when I already shoot with a D4, a D3S and a D3?'

I don't have a fully justified answer to that!

One way I look at it is that I am always trying to gain a small advantage over my competitors in the industry. New technology can help with this... a little. Also, if you are a working professional photographer and you factor in the likelihood that you will upgrade your kit at some time in the future then jumping into the latest technology at the earliest opportunity makes sense, at least to me. It means that I gain that technological advantage as soon as it arrives!

The update schedule that NIKON seems to follow also works well within a business plan. The new cameras arrive at approximately two year gaps. This offers a chance to 'retire' old cameras after four years of heavy use - assuming that you always require at least two reliable bodies at any time. No Pro would consider just having a single body with no backup.

Of course, if I'm honest, maybe the real reason I have flexed the Credit Card is that I'm just a boy... and boys like new toys, right?

So far I have avoided answering the question that any NIKON follower is probably wondering. 'How good is the new NIKON D4S?'

Well, my early impression is that it is fantastic for my type of photography... but so are the D4, D3S and D3!! Early use seems to confirm that the focusing performance and low light quality are indeed a step up from the older bodies, but it is far too soon to try and quantify this.

Maybe the real answer is actually unimportant!

The fact is that any Pro grade body will more than reach the level of quality needed by almost all photographers. Maybe this whole question and answer thing is a complete waste of time? Let me know what you think.

Some of the first pics I shot with the D4S are now on-line:
VIEW THE FIRST KARTING PICS TAKEN WITH THE NIKON D4S
VIEW PICS OF NETBALL CAPTURED BY NIKON D4S AT ISO 3,200

It's interesting to note that competition is something that pervades almost every aspect of our lives. Of course it can take many different forms from a friendly game of Pool with a good mate in the pub right up to the top levels of competitive sports.

But have you ever considered that competition also plays a part in many, many (even most) other areas of life beyond the obvious sporting associations.

I was reminded of this yesterday whilst photographing the Guernsey Autocross Club's Banger racing on Chouet beach. The weather conditions were horrible to the extent that I wondered why I was making the effort to take pics. It was then that it struck me what one of the aspects I enjoy about my photography is - the competitive side!

Photography probably isn't a pastime that most people see as a competitive sport but in its own way it can be just as hard-fought as any action on the track. Let me explain in a bit more detail.

Over the years that I have been working as a photographer I have spent time trying to capture the best action pictures. During this time a considerable number of other photogs have been trying to do the same thing. What we all share is a love of what we do and a personal drive to produce our best work. What drives us even more is that we obviously want to improve on the work that our fellow 'competitors' are producing!

This is a very healthy situation - everyone is a winner. Us photogs gain the benefit of a gradual improvement (hopefully) in the quality of our work and the Sports we photograph should also benefit from the general raising of the standards of the recording of their Sports.

I find the most fascinating part of all this 'competition' is the comparison that can be made between each photographers work. It never fails to amaze me how two guys can stand only feet apart whilst looking at the same scene and then capture completely different interpretations. It is great to be able to maintain a convivial relationship with other (competitors) photographers whilst sharing something that we enjoy so much. It was this aspect, whilst standing out on the exposed, windy and wet beach that made the effort worthwhile for me!

It is not my usual way to give a shout to one of my competition :-) However on this occasion I'll recommend that you do a search for Neil Harvey's Autocross pics from yesterday as they illustrate the point I have just made... variety is the spice of life, as they say!
VIEW MY PICS OF A COMPETITIVE AUTOCROSS MEETING

Well that's all of last weekends pics sorted, processed and uploaded.

What's next... oh it's another weekend! Where does the time go?

It will be a bit more of the same for me, Music and Motorsport :-)

I'm very lucky to photograph a great variety of subjects. It might not always look that way when you read this blog because most of my 'weekday' work is for private clients who don't wish to have their private lives and properties displayed for all to see on this web site. And there are a lot of pairs of eyes visiting each day with well over two million views a year!

This weeks photoshoots have included some promotional shoots, two Elevated property surveys, two major building projects (one now completed and the other as progress shots), the supply of stock pics to Agencies and Newspapers and the printing of a variety of orders. Oh, and I've finally started to deliver my Limited Edition Guernsey Hillclimb Record Book.

There is no doubt that working as a full-time photographer is quite a challenge as there are so many 'Facebook photogs' around. However if you remain flexible it can be a great way to make a living (just!). It can even help you keep up to date with the latest new kit...

A new Nikon D4S should be with me in a couple of days!

That should keep me motivated for a bit longer :-)

The latest pics are of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Winter Kart Championship at The Track.
VIEW ROUND-2 OF THE WINTER KART CHAMPIONSHIP

Patience is or virtue... or something like that!

I guess that when you ask for a bit of patience from a group of petrol heads you are expecting a lot. But that was what the Motocross riders had been asked to show after a couple of meetings were cancelled due to the terrible weather over the last few weeks.

Surely the wait was worth it though when they were rewarded by such good conditions last weekend for Round-2 of the GK&MC Motocross Championship. A huge amount of remedial work has been carried out on the track layout, surface and drainage and the results were a credit to those who put in so much of their time. Even the sun made a showing so the Guernsey cliffs were a very nice place to spend a day.

I spent several hours moving around the track looking for new angles and there is no doubt in my mind that we will see some great competition in 2014. I hope the racers thanked those who enabled such a fantastic day of their favourite sport.

My pics are now on-line here:
VIEW PICS OF ROUND-2 OF THE MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

A sunny Sunday afternoon in February... well it would be rude not to spend it on the beaches of Guernsey :-)

You can tell that I didn't need much persuading to get down to Chouet beach and then Port Soif and Grande Rocque. Add a bit of Motorsport to the mix and everything was just perfect!

The first stop was for the Autocross Banger racing at Chouet. This always guarantees some action and the spectators weren't disappointed. Take a look at the picture galleries...

Then I popped along the coast to photograph the GMC&CC bike Trials over rocky sections in the Castel, perfect.

Home then for a Sunday roast with a few glasses of the red stuff. I love my work :-)


Take a look at my pics here:
VIEW PICS OF THE BANGERS
VIEW PICS OF THE TRIALS

The Track in Guernsey is shared by a couple of different sports. Belgrave Wanderers Football Club call the ground their home but they share it with the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club who's track gives the venue its name.

There is always action to see from the side of the track. However the recent very wet weather has meant that the football pitch has been rendered unusable. This has left the GK&MC Kart racing as the only entertainment on offer and today saw Round-1 of the Winter Championship.

Having a tarmac surface to race on was appreciated by the racers but they still had to fit the 'wets' due to the wet areas. This was never going to dilute the action and, sure enough, there was a full morning of close action. The next meeting is on Feb 23rd so put the date in your diary and pop along to follow the action.

I have added a new Gallery of pics:
VIEW PICS OF ROUND-1 OF THE WINTER KART CHAMPIONSHIP

Whilst most photogs grabbed their cameras and headed to the coast for a bit of 'wave action' I pointed my camera at a bit of 'Autocross Action'.

I don't think I've ever seen so many pics of waves crashing over Guernsey's coastal defences! There were many spectacular shots on Facebook and if I'm honest I was tempted to add a few of mine to the pile. But in the end I left that work to the landscape specialists.

So it was to Chouet beach for me and Round 7 of the Guernsey Autocross Championship... and there was no lack of action there too :-)

A quick edit later and my alternative coastal shots are on-line. Thank goodness there is room for all types of photog!

View my new pics here:
VIEW ROUND 7 OF THE AUTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

I think it's now safe to reveal some of the Montages that were ordered for Christmas presents. Surely all the gifts have been opened by now :-)

Once again the Framed Montages proved to be the most popular choice for the big day with Canvases also making a show. Both options solve that difficult problem of 'what do you buy someone who has everything?'

I have sample Framed Montages & Canvases available for anyone who is maybe considering one. Don't forget that they make a perfect gift even when it isn't Christmas.... there's always a birthday or you could even treat yourself.

The best advice I can give you is to look at some of my previous designs. Every one is individually designed with your own choice of pics. Take a look here:
VIEW PICS OF SOME OF THE CHRISTMAS GIFT MONTAGES & CANVASES

It's catch-up time again.

After a busy month fulfilling orders for Prints, Montages & Canvases it is time to catch-up with a few old photo-shoots.

Well, the first one isn't that old... that is if you don't take the band members into account ;-)

I've just updated the Spangles picture gallery featuring last weekends gig at The Fermain Tavern. There was no doubting that Christmas is just around the corner... there was more sparkle on the stage than I have on my Christmas tree!

The next update actually is from an old shoot that somehow missed the edit.

We have to go way back to June for this one. Unfortunately it wasn't 'flaming June' as the weather was dull and overcast. But that didn't stop me taking a few pics of the Guernsey Powerboat Association's Race-7.

Check all the new pics here:
PICS OF THE SPANGLES IN THEIR SPANDEX
PICS OF GUERNSEY POWERBOAT ASSOCIATION RACE-7

This is all a bit of a rushed job...

I'm stacked with orders at the moment. I thought that when I retired and left the retail trade that the 'Christmas rush' would just become a memory.

I was wrong, bah, humbug ;-)

So I have made a quick edit of the weekends pics and added a couple of picture galleries featuring the latest Autocross and Trials action.

Now where is Santa's little helper who promised to give me a hand?

Knowing my missus she's probably on the Sherry again ;-)

Take a look here:
PICS OF THE PETIT BOT TRIALS
PICS OF THE AUTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

This is a busy time of year for me. There is a growing list of Christmas orders to process in addition to the day-to-day photographic work.

Also the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club will be holding their Annual Dinner Dance and Presentation evening at the end of the month. For several years I have been asked to project a slide-show of racing pics during the meal and also illustrate the Trophy presentations with action shots of all the winners. This also eats into my spare time but I am honoured that my Slide-show has become an expected part of the evening.

With all this background of work filling the days and nights I am having to squeeze in the updates to my Galleries into the few spare moments.

Yesterday I was able to add a couple of Motor Sport events. First there were Motocross pics of Round-8 held on Saturday on the cliffs at Pleinmont. Then a Gallery of Trials pics from Sundays event at the D'Os D'Ane.

There will be more to come... Autocross racing from Chouet.

Then I have updates to make to the Music Gallery with pics of Evarane and BRIGHT_LIGHTS.

Plenty to keep me at my desk whilst being entertained by my new Sonos Wireless Sound System.

This is quite an awesome piece of technology... but that's a story for another day ;-)
VIEW PICTURES OF ROUND-8 OF THE MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP
VIEW PICTURES OF TRIALS AT D'Os D'Ane

Each year that I spend photographing Motor Sport I seem to have a story or two about crashes that happen near to where I am standing.

In fact it was Marc Cox's 'biggie' at Le Val des Terres earlier in the year that reminded me that when it goes wrong it can go wrong 'big time'.
Marc crashed whilst laying his bike down as low as it would go. Rider and bike slid into a bank - only after being launched several metres through the air. The bike ended in several pieces.

On this occasion I can only recall the details that I was told. I wasn't there! The point though is that on Marc's previous run I was EXACTLY there! You will be pleased to note that both rider and photographer are fine.

I suppose that at a Speed event like a Hill Climb the dangers are obvious. After all it is all about pushing the limits of how fast you can go.

What is perhaps a bit more surprising is that even the 'gentleman's' sport of Trial Biking can occasionally bring a close encounter.

It was today, whilst photographing the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club Trials meeting in Petit Bot that I guess I had a lucky moment.

The conditions where wet and very muddy. I had taken a vantage point on the edge of a stream and after taking pics of several riders I decided on changing my position. It was then that Rod Smith approached up the slippery route. He seemed to loose grip for a moment and his bike leapt forward, rotated over and landed upside-down precisely where I had been standing... ouch.

Rider and photographer where unhurt and I'll be buying a lottery ticket tomorrow ;-)
VIEW PICS OF THE PETIT BOT TRIALS