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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

It takes more than a few inches of mud to put off a Moto-X rider.

In fact they positively love a bit of slippery action. So that made today's track conditions just about perfect for most of the competitors. There is no doubt that a few puddles can help liven up a photograph too. This echo's what I was saying in my previous blog about the Karting Championship.

So it made for an enjoyable morning on the cliffs photographing the latest round of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club's Motocross Championship.

The strong wind and low light levels made for a few challenges - but I did manage keep to my feet and I avoided any embarrassing slides into the grime :-)

So the riders seemed to relish their mud-bath however I definately wouldn't want the job of cleaning their bikes and race kit!

Pics are already on-line. Please take a look...
MOTO-X RIDERS LIKE IT SLIPPERY

The Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Summer Kart Championship was completed in challenging conditions.

With Classes where the new Champions were still to be decided it was a tense morning at The Track with supporters braving the rain to watch the outcome.

They were treated to some skilful racing that saw the drivers looking for the fastest line in the wet. It was noticeable that they preferred a different approach into the corners than the normal dry line as smooth seemed to reward with a faster pace.

I always find that it is well worth suffering the discomfort of rain dripping down my back and wetting my kit when I get back to my studio and process the pics. The results always offer something a bit different. See what you think.

Pics are now on-line.
VIEW PICS OF THE WET FINAL KART RACE

Just a quickie update...

Pics of Round-5 of the GK&MC Motocross Championship are now online.

I did say it was a quickie :-)
VIEW PICS OF MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-5

Continuing a fantastic and varied year of Motor Sport today I was in a cliff-top field photographing a special Guernsey Motorcycle & Car Club race meeting.

With the Sandracing season over the bikers had decided that one last outing was needed before their machines are packed away for the winter.

The Club had managed to pull all the required parts together to allow the racing to take place and we were all treated to beautiful weather and a setting that was near perfect.

For me, as a photographer, it was an opportunity to capture something a bit different.

I moved on to photograph the Motocross later in the day. Once again the setting was on the picturesque Guernsey cliffs.... 2013 is definitely a vintage year for Motorsport :-)

The challenge is to match it in 2014....
VIEW PICS OF THE GRASSTRACK RACING

Too busy to brag? OK, well just a bit then... 5,000,000 times :-)

I hope that what I'm about to do is all done in 'the best possible bad taste' :-)

I know that modesty should always be the order of the day. But if I don't 'blow my own trumpet' then nobody else is going to do if for me!

So with my modesty temporarily filed away in the cabinet I'm going to brag a little. I won't be offended if you press the delete button right now :-0

The thing is, I'm chuffed by a couple of things. Firstly this web site passed 5,000,000 views (yes FIVE MILLION) on the 3rd of October 2013.

Amazingly just five days later it will probably notch up the next 100,000! (EDIT: It actually took six days to clock up the next 100,000 views). That's a LOT of viewings! May I thank everyone for the huge interest in my pics.

My other moment of immodesty is to mention that this month I have had several more pics published in National Magazines and Media. Top of the pile has to be the front cover of Speedscene Magazine, the Specialist National Publication for Sprinting and Speed Hillclimbing.

The cover features my pic of Darren Warwick at the Guernsey round of the MSA British National Hillclimb Championship. There are also pics inside to support Eddie Walder's report.

That's it. Short and sweet. I'll retrieve my modesty from the filing cabinet. Normal service returns, ha,ha
READ ABOUT THE FIRST 4,000,000 VIEWS
READ ABOUT THE FIRST 3,000.000 VIEWS
READ ABOUT THE FIRST 2,000,000 VIEWS
READ ABOUT THE FIRST 1,000,000 VIEWS

I know it is WAY too early to put 2013 into the bottom draw, only to be talked about in a nostalgic way. But I must admit that as I processed the many pictures I captured over the weekend of the Guernsey Motor Sport scene I drifted into thinking about what a fantastic year it has been.

Local Motor Sport fans cannot have anything to say against this amazing year which has given competitors and spectators so much to enjoy. That also goes for this local Action Photographer!!

I have delighted in the opportunities that the new events have offered me to capture something fresh. We have had the return of the Salerie Twisty Sprint, there was the Reservoir Sprint, a new Speed event near Alderney Airport and then, yesterday, a Twisty Sprint at the Kart Track. Add to this a bit of Grass Track racing yet to come and 2013 must rate as an all-time 'best vintage'.

One thing it has meant for me, though, is a huge amount of work and commitment of time to allow me to offer what I think is the widest coverage of the local Motor Sport scene, ever!

I am privileged to have great access to take pictures that I hope reflect the atmosphere and action at the many events. I am in my element whilst on the edge of a race track cameras in hand.

However (wait for the shameless plug) my photography is actually my business... it is my income. I can only justify the time and money spent if I can make a few sales. Web-site viewings massage the ego, Paypal helps pay for the beer!

I told you it was going to be a shameless plug ;-)

Whilst I have tickled your conscience you might like to take a look at the weekends pics...
VIEW PETIT BOT HILL CLIMB
VIEW THE TRACK TWISTY SPRINT
VIEW THE AUTOCROSS BANGER RACING
VIEW THE JUNIOR TRIALS

It might not always seem to be the case but I really do try to keep my picture galleries fresh and up to date :-)

Unfortunately sometimes other work gets in the way - and this has been the case for the last few weeks of the 2013 Summer months.

Lots of things seemed to coincide. My Commercial photography has been incredibly busy. As this is what pays the bills it always has to take precedence. However the photography that I most enjoy (Motor Sport, Festivals & Gigs) also seem to peak at this time of year!

I have also been trying to gain a few 'Brownie Points' from my missus by ticking off jobs around the home from a very long list. I have a long way to go on this front but that's another whole story :-)

The important detail in this Blog is that I have now completed a long-promised (make that VERY long-promised) picture gallery.

It had been pushed to the back after I decided the best option for me was to keep up-to-date with new photo-shoots, leaving the already late ones waiting. This at least meant less delays.

So I'm PLEASED to announce that the September 7th Kart Club Hill Climb Galleries are now open (I leave you to imagine the drum roll) ha, ha.

I've made these galleries larger than normal in an effort to placate the waiting masses - enjoy ;-)

Oh, by the way, have you noticed that this web site has now had more than FIVE MILLION VIEWS. More about this later :-)
KART CLUB HILL CLIMB PICS ARE NOW ONLINE

September has had a special place in my annual calendar of essential 'to-do's' for several years.

That is because tradition has this end of summer month reserved for the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club's Alderney weekend.

Taken at its simplest, the two (or now three) days of Motor Sport are simply race events on our smaller sister island... good fun, but so what, we have many events in Guernsey.

But of course it isn't that simple!

What the Alderney events represent is an occasion for Club members to get together to put on logistically challenging Motor Sport. Nobody should be left with the impression that any part of the setting up of three different 'offshore' events is easy. You must remember that every piece of kit that is needed - from the broom to sweep the track to the timing gear to the straw bales has to be shipped across to Alderney. Then the racers have to pack all the tools and spares they think they might need. It takes a boat load or two to transport everything!

In fact this year highlighted some of the problems as our Jersey cousins failed to get over due to the cargo boat being cancelled due to bad weather!

However, living up to the best traditions, the GK&MC managed to beat all the problems and we all enjoyed three fantastic days of Motor Sport... well actually it was more like two and a half days as the first days Sprint racing was abandoned due to heavy rain :-(

It is a testament to how enjoyable the whole weekend was that even though we lost some racing on Thursday it is just a forgotten memory... there were so many brilliant performances on the following days. The social life is also memorable in its own right :-)

I have already made a diary date to be in Alderney for next years racing - I recommend that you do the same.

For now you can take a look at my pics to see what you missed...
VIEW PICS OF THE 2013 ALDERNEY SPRINT
VIEW PICS OF THE ALDERNEY AIRPORT EVENT
VIEW PICS OF THE 2013 ALDERNEY HILL CLIMB

This speed of updating my Galleries will never last! Particularly as it has been at the expense of leaving other important updates waiting patiently on my hard disks... notice the plural. I always backup everything, just in case.

So I apologise that the promised Vale Earth Fair pictures - and there will be loads, the last Kart Club Hill Climb and Jersey Dead pics are still on the 'to-do' list.

The decision to upload the latest photoshoots at the expense of the 'to-do' list was made so that I don't put any more updates into the pending folder.

All this energy (I don't know where I found it!) means the I have already added today's Round-7 of the Karting Championship into the picture Gallery.

There was plenty of action and I managed to capture a bit of it... but that is my job, eh!

Hope you like the latest pics...
VIEW ROUND-7 OF THE KARTING CHAMPIONSHIP