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I guess that no one ever said it was going to be easy!

But after four successful and well supported Guernsey Rallies I was hopeful, enthusiastic and eager to enjoy the spectacle of Rally racing through the tight and twisty Guernsey lanes again.

As I've spent a couple of decades on the edge of our Motorsport scene I've recognized how much work has to be put in to 'make things work' in organizing any event. This is something that only gets more challenging as each year passes and even more 'red tape' and form filling is necessary before a wheel is spun off a start line!

This leads me to ask the question... Why does anyone get out of bed in the morning thinking that all that hassle organizing an event is worth the effort?

I can't answer that.

But after the disruption and selfish, spiteful behavior shown towards the Guernsey Rally by a tiny number of residents in 2023 I fear that those people who put so much work into the organizing of the Guernsey Rally will be disheartened. Why would they want to spend so much time arranging all the correct and legal permissions to then have their work wasted?

Well, maybe I can answer that question.

I spent the few hours, yes that was all the short inconvenience lasted, out on the Rally Stages and I spoke to many of the residents who lived on the closed roads... and I was welcomed by people who were open minded and enthusiastic to enjoy something different for a change! There are many people who support and enjoy the thrill of a racing car at speed at the bottom of their driveway! They think it is fantastic to have a 'ring-side seat' (for a couple of hours!) Those people far outnumber the negative people who object... but we all know it's those people who make the most noise!

I'm not disrespectful of others who have differing and strong views on whether Motorsport has a place in the 'modern world' but as we all reside on this small rock surely tolerance, for a few hours, towards others has to be a good and necessary thing?

IF there is the will to try for another Guernsey Rally next year I hope the 'silent majority' will find their voice and make their support known.

I was able to capture some of the great action around the Stages and my pics are now online here....
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2023 COMPROP RALLY GALLERIES

The GVC returned to a track laid out in a valley above the reservoir for Round 5 of the Ian Brown's sponsored MTB XC series.

I believe it is four years since a race had been held here and considerable work had to be put in by the Club to get a circuit cleared.

But I think it was well worth the effort. It was certainly a challenge for the riders as all the groaning attested to!!

I loved having a different and scenic backdrop to my photos. These were enhanced by the lovely, bright and warm sun. It really felt like a spring day... now I mustn't get too excited yet as it is still only Ferbruary!

As usual I find I respond well when the 'stars' line up to produce attractive shots and I ended up with an 'ample' number of pics for the Gallery!

You can view them all here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE RESERVOIR MTB XC PICS

With a few minutes to spare I had the opportunity to pop in to the 2023 Thirst Music School Battle of the School Bands at Beau Sejour.

My time and access was limited and I only saw the second half of the show... but I was lucky to catch the winners!

Lots of young talent was on show!

I've added a few pics to this new Gallery. Just click the link to view them:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2023 BATTLE OF THE SCHOOL BANDS

It was great to be back at St Pierre Park Hotel last Friday for another evening of Dinner Boxing.

This was the first Guernsey Dinner Boxing Club event of the year and featured a Guernsey Team v the Western Counties.

On the night here were nine well matched and hard fought bouts. They offered plenty of action and entertainment for the diners and the local team took the honours with the most wins. Well done guys.

The next Dinner Boxing event is on Friday 17th of March. If you are interested in attending you need to be a member of the Club. Contact me if you want details of how to go about joining.

Oh, and now the Club is open for the Ladies too. Why not get a group of friends together and book a table?

My pics are now online here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FEBRUARY DINNER BOXING GALLERIES

Here is a quick link to my recent assignment to photograph the T&C Roofing Snooker League at the Gremlin Club.

These jobs are always interesting as a photographer is probably the last person the players want to see when they bend to set up their next shot.

The technique I use is to chose the longest and fastest lens that will work in the room. That way I hope to be back out in the darkest part of the room - but still be in line of their shot.

The next thing that is (or used to be) a problem was the 'clatter' that a professional level camera makes when the shutter is pressed.

Maybe you noted that I said 'used to'.

One of the great benefits that the modern mirror-less cameras give to a photographer is the freedom of not having to worry about that 'clatter' at a crucial moment of play. It's a revelation!

Shooting Golf also benefits from the Mirror-less advantage.

Just for your information I was shooting with a NIKON Z9. NIKON have been my choice of camera for decades and I love them.

I've added a small gallery of T & C Roofing Snooker League here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SNOOKER LEAGUE PICS

Now we all know that sometimes we are in just the right place, sometimes we aren't!

These things are in the lap of the Gods... or so we like to think.

But maybe not? I ask this as, if it is JUST down to random luck, how is it that Russ Allen seems to be in just the right place at the right time so often? Clearly talent can swing the odds in his favour.

This question also holds relevance to my work as a photographer. But clearly I'm not so talented in my positioning.

Yesterday at the GFC v Marlow football Russ 'found' himself in the perfect spot to score GFC's first goal. Actually I was quite well placed to capture the complete sequence including the celebration. Maybe luck, maybe talent? That is the question. Ha, ha.

But my luck/talent had worn off for the second GFC goal as when Sam Murray scored with a dramatic overhead kick my view was mostly blocked. You can just make out his flying boot in my pics.... if you look carefully!

Hmmm, I enjoyed having a bit of talent... while it lasted!

Now I've decided that to make myself feel better I'm going to go with the idea that everything is just down to luck. Good and bad! What do you think?

My GFC v Marlow pics are now online here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY GFC v MARLOW PICS

As expected my assignment to cover Division One Basketball at Beau Sejour was full of action, entertainment and tension.

As a sport Basketball seems to be perfectly designed to yield fast paced action and drama and that was certainly on offer in the game between Edmundson Electrical Chargers and Le Mont Saint.

The Chargers finished on top but they had to fight back from a 22 point deficit to take the win. In the final seconds of play it could have gone either way!

I highly recommend to you, if you are bored with the TV schedules, to pop along to one of the Basketball nights at Beau Sejour. You are guaranteed to be entertained.

You can view my pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW EDMUNDSON ELECTRICAL CHARGERS v LE MONT SAINT

Well that was hard work (for riders and me!). The festive overindulgence's were there to be seen on the faces of some of the riders (and me!) at today's Guernsey Velo Club Cross Country.

A course had been laid out around the Guet. As many of you will know the lay of the land around the old fort and lookout is steep and slippery. The old conifers have laid down a thick layer of pine needles on the slopes and the tree roots hide ready to throw a rider out of the saddle and into the brambles!

However, maybe because of those seasonal festivities, there was a good sized entry for the first MTB race in 2023 and the weather behaved... it was the afternoon before I got a soaking at the GFC football game!

I've now uploaded a gallery of MTB XC pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE FIRST MTB RACE IN 2023

The weather Gods have been looking after me for the last few photo assignments.

Over the Christmas break I've had to photograph the Boxing Day Cross Country, a Junior Football Tournament and a Trials Bike event.

All of these happened in dry weather and were comfortable because of that. The fact that outside of those times it seems to have rained almost none stop makes me feel that I've been somewhat lucky!

So now the question is... 'How long will my good luck last?'

I'm hoping to hold on to the good fortune for a little longer into the New Year with my first job being another Cross Country on New Years Day.... watch this space for the answer!!

For now I've just uploaded a few pics of the Boxing Day XC here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2022 BOXING DAY CROSS COUNTRY

Guernsey Junior football was showcased during the 2022 John Brehaut Trophy Tournament at the KGV.

I spent a couple of hours photographing the games and I was impressed by the talent and enthusiasm shown by the youngsters. I covered the Under 13's games as teams progressed through to the finals.

The weather was nice and bright and dry so a good crowd of parents were there to support the Clubs. As each game lasted just fifteen minutes there was always some action to follow.

As the tournament progressed to the semi-finals there was even high drama as one of the finalists had to be decided by a nail-biting penalty shoot-out. I actually lost count of how many penalties needed to be taken to split the teams but when I noticed that players came up to take their THIRD penalty it was an amazing climax.

Congratulations to the Rovers team on winning the trophy and all the other Clubs for making the event so entertaining.

I've added a new Gallery featuring some of the action here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2022 U13 JOHN BREHAUT TOURNAMENT

The 2022 School of Popular Music Christmas Showcase was a busy night packed full of Live Music and young talent.

Once again SoPM treated their students to the opportunity to play at one of Guernsey's most famous live music venues on a stage that many music legends have stood. There have been a lot... but how about Elton John and Wilko Johnson for starters!

The SoPM team did an amazing job organising fourteen bands (I lost count of how many musicians!). That adds up to a LOT of change overs!

I was really impressed by the standard of talent on show. But also the 'professional' attitude that has been instilled into the youngsters. They were ready on time for the switches, they got straight on with the 'job', they worked through occasional issues with equipment and clearly loved their moment in the spotlight.

All together the resulting show was a great tribute to the work the tutors have done with their young proteges.

These Galleries showcase all the acts...
CLICK TO VIEW THE SoPM 2022 CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE

Christmas must be just around the corner again as the Guernsey School of Popular Music has just produced its annual Christmas Concert!

This event features some of the youngest students as they start their musical journeys. The 2022 concert was held in front of a packed audience of families and friends at Vale Church Hall.

There were smiles all around and the seasonal smell of Mince pies and mulled wine.

It usually takes a bit of an effort for me to get into the Christmas spirit (I know I'm a miserable old git) but seeing all the young beaming faces of the performers has started the magic working!

Enjoy this gallery which features some of the performances...
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2022 SoPM CHRISTMAS CONCERT

To-do list:

Get up
Have breakfast
Dress according to the weather... it's raining!
Drive to the Forest
Photograph Round 2 of the GVC Winter XC Series
Drive home
Dry cameras
Hot cup of coffee to warm up
Upload pics to computer
Wash mud off boots
Dry clothes
Another coffee to warm up
Edit MTB XC pics
Upload pics to website
Eat Sunday Roast, very nice
Write this Blog

A Sunday (workday) for a Sports photographer!

The latest pics are online here:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND 2 OF THE GVC WINTER XC SERIES

Friday night was when the weekend started for many people... but unlike many of you it was the START of the 'working week' for me!

When you are a sports photographer it is the weekend when you get your kit out!

So to kick off my working week(end) I was assigned to photograph the Guernsey Dinner Boxing Club event at St Pierre Park Hotel where Guernsey faced a team billed as St Paul's Hull.

In fact when I looked at the program it showed a couple of the 'locals' on our team were actually our Jersey cousins. It also seemed that - looking at the vest logos - a couple of the St Paul's Hull team were also guest boxers.

Of course this had no effect on the quality of the bouts and several of them were very well matched and very good fights indeed. On the final count the visitors were judged to have more winners... but it was close!

I've been sorting out the edit of all eleven bouts. They can all be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW BOXING - GUERNSEY v ST PAULS HULL

OK, a simple question, but one that would take a week to try and answer.... and I certainly don’t have the time to do that!

And the question is... ‘What makes a great photo?’

I said it was a simple question. Just five words!

Of course if you are thinking about trying to answer you will soon realize that there are endless variations/situations/subjects/intentions/preferences etc. etc. etc. that make capturing every photo different from the next.

So, did I say a ‘simple’ question? You now see that it is far from that.

But perhaps I should explain why I was faced with this quandary. Today it was reported that the legendary rock guitarist Wilko Johnson has died.

I have been fortunate to photograph Wilko on several occasions so I thought I would look through my pics of his performances to post a couple as a tribute. As I looked at the gallery I kept finding pics that I really liked. I began to pat myself on the back for doing such a great job... until it dawned on me why so many of the pics had a bit of extra ‘magic’ when compared to my other gig photography.

It was nothing to do with me. It was ALL to do with Wilko Johnson!

My part in taking the pics was simply to ‘record’ what was in front of me. It is proof that if a photographer is ‘assisted’ by having a distinctive and dynamic character as a subject the job is half done before it starts!

I have amazing memories of Wilko’s performances. He dominated the stage and entranced the audience to the extent that you didn’t want to blink in case you missed something!

What a legend. One of the true greats. RIP Wilko. Thanks for the memories.

If you fancy looking at some of the Wilko magic this is a link to a Gallery:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF WILKO JOHNSON

The weather was mild and sunny in St Andrew on Sunday for Race 1 of the GVC Winter 2022 Cross Country Series sponsored by Ian Brown's Cycle shop.

So I was looking forward to a pleasant morning capturing the action... and it certainly was.

What I didn't enjoy quite so much was the trekking around the track that I had to do to vary my selection of pics. The track was laid out in fields above the Underground Hospital and the area features many slopes. When the gradients are combined with slippery grass and mud the going was tough - for riders and photographers!

Of course I never help myself at these times. In planning the photoshoot I new there was a particular shot/viewpoint that I wanted to capture. Those pics would have best effect if they were captured with a long telephoto lens. So you guessed it... I ended carrying my Nikon 180-400 lens up hill and down dale. But it was worth it as I did get the shots!

Follow this link to view the massive gallery of MTB Winter XC pics:
CLICK TO VIEW RACE 1 OF THE 2022 WINTER XC SERIES

The 2022/23 Guernsey Athletics FNB XC Series Race-1 was held in conditions well suited for Cross Country.

Now I haven't run a Cross Country race since I was at the Grammar School... and I was quite competitive in my day! Hard to believe, I know!

I recall that all those years ago (over half a century!), we used to race on a track set out in fields around the Little Chapel. I used to cycle up there from the Capelles, race and then cycle back home.

The other strong memory is that it always seemed to rain!

So today I was standing on L'Ancresse Common ready to photograph race one of the 2022/23 FNB XC Series in the rain and it all seemed perfect for a cross country race.

There was a really decent size entry so this series should be well worth watching.

It was great to see so many juniors too. But I wonder how many had cycled down to the race? Or do they all have a parent chauffeuring them around nowadays? How times change. ha ha

My pics of the event can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE FNB XC SERIES DOYLE LOOP

Last week one of my assignments took me to a dark function room in the Wayside Cheer Hotel. The event was Guernsey Darts 'Medway Weekend'

There was a great atmosphere at the competition. It was an unusual mix of close friendships built over the many years that this event has been organized together with the competitive will to win.

Just for the record... Guernsey took the win (7-5) on Friday night. The supporters really got behind their teams as the result went all the way to the last of the contests!

Thankfully, in true Darts tradition, the tension could be eased by a beer or two!

My attention however was focused on the difficulties of capturing the games. The light levels in the main room were very low but there were very bright 'hot-spots' highlighting the dart board. Conditions that digital cameras don't enjoy.

At the end of the night I had to make a quick edit to submit my pics for publication... something that was helped by a couple of beers as I had to abstain whilst working.

I assure you that I deserved them and they went down very well too!

I've now completed the full edit and if you are interested you can view the pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF GUERNSEY DARTS MEDWAY WEEKEND

As it was headlined as the Guernsey Amalgamated Boxing Club's October Fright Night at Beau Sejour we were sure to enjoy a full night of boxing.

The RAF had been invited back with a team of boxers for twelve hard fought bouts and I was ring-side and close to the action.

Boxing is a fast sport where fighters have to duck and dive to avoid their opponents offensive. This, of course, makes it quite a challenge for a photographer as we are literally chasing a moving target!

Luckily - and helpfully - the first couple of bouts usually feature young or less experienced boxers. They don't move around the ring quite as fast so it gives me a little time to get 'tuned into' the sport again.

These nights are always busy and there is very little down time. Before you know it there are twelve bouts 'in the can' and a whole lot of editing to do.

So this afternoon I made a start and eight bouts are now online. The others will follow.....

UPDATE: All pics are now online.

Follow this ling to view the Gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW THE OCTOBER FRIGHT NIGHT 2022

Like many 'old school' photographers I started my career shooting on black & white film.

Now more than five decades later I find that my 'first love' has stayed with me throughout life. It seems that there always remains a place in our heart for the 'first one'.

So having completed the edit of the 46th Guernsey Chess Festival (in colour) I allowed myself to indulge in a little nostalgia by selecting a few of the images to develop into black & white.

I have to admit that I loved the exercise and I could so easily give up on colour for the clarity, focus and purity that a mono-tone image produces.

Seeing these images has re-awakened the young photographer in me... from fifty-three years ago. You can expect more B&W pics from me in the future...

Take a look at this small edit of Black & White Chess pics. I hope they grab your attention as much as they do for me:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE BLACK & WHITE CHESS EDIT