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The perfect combination of sun, sea and surf. There was a strong and chilly wind on this autumn afternoon at Vazon Bay in Guernsey but it was still a fabulous place to be.

My pics don't really tell the full story as the lovely quality of the sunlight deceives us into thinking it was warm. But remember this was a November afternoon. Clearly surfers don't feel the cold.

There was some impressive surfing to entertain the spectators who had wrapped up and lined the sea wall.

I've added a picture gallery featuring some of the pics I captured of the enthusiastic surfers. Follow the link to view my pics:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE SURFING AT VAZON BAY

Sadly, but thankfully rarely, the Guernsey Dinner Boxing Club suffered from disruption of their latest event.

The evening's bouts were disrupted by fog at Guernsey's airport which meant that the visiting team of Welsh fighters didn't make it to the island.

To the credit of the Guernsey Dinner Boxing Club and the Guernsey Amalgamated Boxing Club the diners still had eight bouts to enjoy. The competitive element was missing as the bouts were only sparring but everyone seemed to understand the difficulty and it turned out to be another enjoyable night.

Let's hope it is many years before the weather messes things up again.

I enjoyed taking pics as I captured some unusual 'pairings'... Casey De La Mare v Billy Poullain... compete with a bit of wrestling by Casey's corner!

View all the bouts here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE SPARRING BOUTS AT THE DINNER BOXING

The idea behind the SOUND at St James Festival was to showcase the best of the Guernsey Bands and Musicians within the warm, dry main hall and adjoining rooms of the historic venue.

For this first time the event was organized it immediately proved that an indoor festival is the only way to go in late October as the festival goers knew nothing of the torrential rain outside!

There were two full days of live local music spread over three stages with barely time to take a breath between acts. Those who attended enjoyed what must be the best value achievable for just ten pounds a day!

My edit of pics will take a few days but a gallery has already been added featuring some of the acts who played on Saturday.

Keep a lookout on this Blog for future updates.

Click on this link to view the first pics:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FIRST PICS OF SOUND AT ST JAMES

It was a toe-to-toe Slugfest at Beau Sejour last Saturday evening.

I had a good idea what to expect as I'd photographed the 2017 edition and knew that a competitive program of bouts was guaranteed.

This year the visiting team was a Northern Counties Select lineup. The spectators were entertained by fifteen bouts featuring Minimum Weight, Bantamweight, Lightweight, Welterweight, Light-Heavyweight, Heavyweight and Super Heavyweight. That must have covered most options!

By the end of the night the local team had pulled off a hard-fought 8-6 win (the first bout of the night didn't count towards the overall total).

The bout of the night award went to the Lightweight fight between Niall Adams and Liam Riley, well done guys.

I've now uploaded a full gallery of pictures featuring every bout. Follow this link to view the pics:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2018 OKTOBER SLUGFEST

A new charity event for 2018 was the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride.

A large group of riders congregated outside the White Rock Cafe before heading off for an Island tour.

The majority of riders had entered into the spirit of the ride by dressing as 'Gentlemen'.

Money raised by the local event was for Men’s Shed and Male Uprising Guernsey.

Before the riders set off, Jack Mourant was named as the best turned out rider, while Colin Robin’s 1959 Triumph Tiger 110 was judged to be the best bike.

I was sent along to St Peter Port to capture a few pics for The Guernsey Press. You can view them here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMEN'S RIDE

The 2018 H.M.S. Charybdis & H.M.S. Limbourne weekend was marked by the formal ceremony and remembrance of those who lost their life.

The Royal Marines Band Plymouth were in attendance and were as popular as ever with the crowd. They played in Market Square on Saturday and provided the formal marching music at the remembrance service at the Foulon Cemetery.

This Gallery features pics of the two main events of the weekend.
CLICK TO VIEW MY PICS OF THE CHARYBDIS WEEKEND

Sadly I only had a few minutes to photograph some of the Dressage riders at their recent Championship event at the BSJA grounds before they took a break for lunch and I had to get to my next assignment.

That was a disappointment as it is a while since I've photographed this sport and I was looking forward to 'getting my eye in' again. One of the things I most like about my photography is that it is so varied with each genre requiring some understanding of what 'action shots' present the sport in the best style.

I would certainly need more than the few minutes that I had this time to get a 'proper feel' and understanding of Dressage but it was still fun.

Hopefully I'll be given more time if I'm sent to photograph the event again.
CLICK TO VIEW A FEW DRESSAGE PICS

I hadn't expected to find the time to take pics of the Channel Island Mower Racing Association's race meeting last Saturday.

However the opportunity appeared between two of my assignments and it was to good to miss.

I'd already spent an hour or so getting layered in dust up at the Motocross racing and had to brush myself down before popping along the the Dressage Championship. Luckily I was early enough to capture pics of a few riders before they took an inconvenient (for me) break for lunch!

But this opened a small time-slot before I had to get to the Fairfield for the Dog Show... I bet you'd love my busy life, eh!!!

So it was more dust for me at the Mower racing where the guys obliged me by running a race so I could quickly grab a few pics. Thanks lads.

My pics from this one race are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST MOWER RACING PICS

After taking a short break Cage & Stage Productions returned with a sold-out Lock-In Guernsey - Round 6 at Beau Sejour.

The packed hall of spectators at Beau Sejour was entertained to thirteen hard-fought bouts which included Boxing, K1, Muay Thai and MMA. Much beer was drunk and as the evenings combat progressed the atmosphere built.

Every fighter should be proud of themselves for the bravery they showed by stepping into 'The Cage'. There is nowhere to hide once the cage door slams shut and I can tell you that after spending the evening photographing the action literally inches away from the bruising 'hits' everyone of the combatants did an amazing job.

I'm now working through my pics and the first Galleries are now online.

I hope my photography does justice to the fast moving, brave and committed action taking place in the cage. Make your own mind up by checking out the picture galleries:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FIRST PICS OF LOCK-IN GUERNSEY-ROUND 6

After a very long, hot and busy night at the Lock-in Guernsey, Round 6 at Beau Sejour I'll admit that a 5.45am alarm call wasn't entirely welcome on Sunday morning.

But there was no chance to have a lie-in as I was booked to photograph the Island Games qualifying Triathlon at Rocquaine bay which had a 7am start time.

As is so often the case (if you make the effort) the competitors and myself were rewarded with a lovely early autumnal morning beside the sea on the picturesque west coast of Guernsey.

This early assignment was just the first of a busy, but enjoyable day. The pics of the Triathlon race are the first to hit the Gallery. You can view them here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE ROCQUAINE TRIATHLON

Every few years the end of summer weather conspires to try and spoil our fun.

Sadly 2018 was one of the years that the clouds and rain featured more than the sun during the twelve hour long Vale Earth Fair in the historic Vale Castle in Guernsey.

However, after forty-two years of practice, nothing can dampen the spirits of the small band of VEF organizers and the show goes on regardless. It's a great shame that many potential festival goers are so easily put off attending and all the work put in is wasted on them. I'll call them 'light-weights'!

But... there is always a 'hard-core' who are the real deal and they seem to 'raise their game' in the face of discomfort and the 2018 vintage of the VEF will hold many great memories for those who joined the other stoic music lovers in Vale Castle.

I too endured the drizzle, struggling to keep all my camera lenses free from mist and water... this is an added challenge when you wear specs! As I edited the pics in this gallery I was reminded just how special the VEF is. I hope you enjoy my work.

It will take (more than) a few days to get all the VEF pics online as I'm just off to Jersey to photograph the WEEKENDER Festival for more of the same... that is great live music - NOT rain!!

Keep a check on the VEF galleries for the extra updates:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LATEST VALE EARTH FAIR PICS

The School of Popular Music's Summer Party at The Fermain Tavern brings a week of intensive music tuition and practice to a fitting climax as the students get to show off their new skills to friends and family.

They are given the chance to perform on the famous Fermain Tavern stage... just like Elton John did, and they get to enjoy having professional technicians working the sound desk and lighting rig... and I pop along to capture their performances and the atmosphere.

The SoPM Summer Party gig has become one of my favorites of the year... and I photograph a LOT of bands!

The enthusiasm shown by the students and tutors is infectious. Everyone involved puts every effort into creating memorable performances.

It is fantastic that no judgments are made on any performers - they are just enjoyed for the simple pleasure that live music brings to the world.

Whilst for some students this adventure into playing an instrument and singing will be a short experience before they move on to explore other interests. However I'm certain that for many the foundation is put in place for a lifetime's involvement in music. What a great start in life!

This gallery displays pics of the nine bands that were formed by students for the 2018 SoPM Summer Party. There is also a Gallery featuring Last of the Light Brigade who headlined the night giving students an idea of what the SoPM tutors can do....
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE SoPM SUMMER PARTY GIG

I only had about fifteen minutes to spend photographing the OSA All Terrain Challenge on Thursday evening at Footes Lane where a Steeplechase run featured in the ATC.

This meant that I only captured action from the first of the races... Division 1... before I had to dash off to my next job.

This was a shame as a water-jump is always entertaining for spectators and photographers alike.

I also guess there was more of a chance of one of the lower division racers getting the leap wrong and maybe falling flat into the water... making a great action shot!

Not that I want to be seen as 'preying' on anyone's misfortune ;-)

The pics that I managed to capture are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE OSA ATC STEEPLECHASE

The 2018 edition of the Guernsey Motorsport Seafront Sunday Festival was even more popular than the previous year!

Once again the St Peter Port seafront was closed to traffic allowing a huge display of all types of vehicles.

The entertainment spread along to the North Beach car park where a full day of motorsport action took place.

The weather played its part by encouraging thousands of people into town and the day provided a fantastic end to the 2018 MSA National Hillclimb weekend.

This gallery features some of the displays and entertainment...
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2018 MOTORSPORT SEAFRONT SUNDAY

That's another gallery update finished :-)

This time it features another two Rounds of the The Avon Tyres/Wynn Developments 2018 MSA British Hillclimb Championship.

Following my trip to Jersey to capture the action at the Bouley Bay rounds I headed home to capture the action at my local Rounds.... No's 21 and 22 at Le Val des Terres, Guernsey.

Once again local drivers split the pack of regular National competitors in the Top Twelve Run-Off. We certainly have a bunch of fast talent in Guernsey and always manage a couple of qualifiers.

This year was no exception and had a thrilling highlight when the (now legendary?) Darren Warwick took top spot on the podium in Round 21.

This was an incredible feat given that Darren uses such an old car compared to the cutting edge machinery on show.

However Darran's Moore Stephens Dallara F399 is clearly fast enough to take FTD when he drives it! Well done to him and all the other local racers.

My pics of the Guernsey National Rounds are now online here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2018 GUERNSEY NATIONAL HILLCLIMB

Maybe you just had to be there?

That's the thing about any form of live performances. Nothing can quite capture what it was actually like to be 'in the room'. No video can put you there. No photograph will replace the experience!

This is how things are with the recent Japanese Punk Invasion at The Fermain Tavern. You really had to be there... to bad if you missed it!

I've seen many great comments by those who managed to get to the gig... people have been enthused by the night and the two visiting bands.

The general opinion is the the Morlleyheads and PUNiK smashed it. I have to agree. The night enters onto my list of legendary Fermain Tavern gigs.

If you occasionally pop along to this website you will know that I rarely make comment or critique on what I photograph... I just take the pics!

However there is someone who does a great job and he is known by almost everyone on the Guernsey music scene. If you want to read a 'proper' report of the Japanese Invasion gig I recommend reading Tom Girard's regular Blog.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW TOM GIRARD'S REGULAR BLOG

So, having already stated that no picture can reproduce the experience of a live performance I still managed to capture a few pics of the bands. If you where one of the audience the pics might help you recall the vibe....
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF PUNiK
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF MORLLYHEADS

I love July... that's the month, not the girl!

July is always such a busy month and this week is a fine example.

I've spent an entertaining couple of days in Jersey photographing their two rounds of the Avon Tyres/Wynn Developments MSA British Hillclimb Championship held at Bouley Bay.

The racing was as close as ever and us Channel Islanders should be proud of the success of our local racers.

Now I'm back in the office its been full speed ahead to complete the edit of my pics before the road-show takes to Le Val des Terres for the Guernsey rounds of the championship.

So the first of the pics are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2018 JERSEY ROUNDS OF THE NATIONAL HILLCLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP

Everyone enjoyed a fantastic Guernsey summer's eve at the KGV on Saturday where 16 bouts of White Collar Boxing were held under the headline of 'King of the Ring'. The action was organized in association with CL Fitness.

The action was truly non-stop and the atmosphere was brilliant.

I survived (just) when one of the Super Heavyweight fighters was knocked clean out of the ring... giving me a knock on the head along the way and removing my specs at the same time! I ended up with a KO'd boxers head nearly in my lap.

My camera also took a tumble but being a Nikon it was fine!

Both camera and spectacles were recovered from under the KO'd boxer when he came to!

Talk about getting as close to the action as possible, eh. I've often commented in my Blogs that when trying to capture action you need to get as close as you think it is safe... then take one step closer! This time I might have overdone it!

However I lived to complete the full program of sixteen bouts and the edit is now complete. It was another big one (like the Chaos Festival - see previous Blogs) but there was no comparison in difficulty. The Boxing shoot was so easy as the light was consistent... in fact the edit was a real pleasure.

Who'd of guessed that I'd change opinion so quickly!

I've added pics of the Bouts to a new picture Gallery:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE KING OF THE RING BOXING

The final updates have been added to the massive 2018 Greenman Chaos Festival gallery.

Amongst the new pics are full coverage of the Sound Guernsey Battle of the Bands which was held on the Main Stage giving the young performers an early taste of what it feels like to play whilst backed by great sound and lighting.... surely they can only want to repeat the experience!

Then there are new Galleries featuring the silly games, the burnouts (essential at a bikers festival) and another Gallery featuring the Atmosphere.

So lots more to look at. Follow this link to view the pics:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COMPLETED 2018 GREENMAN CHAOS FESTIVAL

As I near the end of a marathon edit of the Greenman Chaos Festival photographs I’ve had a lot of time to mull over my photographic life.

I am indeed very lucky. I work for myself. I’m busy enough to enable me to be a bit selective of the jobs that I take. I’m also able to fit a large chunk of ‘personal assignments’ into a year’s work.

My personal work mostly comes under the headlines of Music and Motorsport. These two subjects (I think) are really good fun and at times challenging to capture.

But, whilst spending many hours sorting, editing, uploading and linking the Chaos pics I’ve started to question what I do and why!

The thing is that it has taken a working week to capture, edit and upload my Chaos pics. Bear in mind that my working day is usually 12+ hours and a working week is six days long… that’s an underestimate!

I’ll let you do the maths.

What makes my previous comments worthy of consideration is that (referring back to my first line) my (only) job is as a photographer and as it’s my work I should be trying to make an income from it.

This is where things start to go wrong.

I know from conversations, the Internet and the viewing stats for my website that there is a fantastic interest in my pics. But ‘likes’ don’t pay bills!

So after a boring week editing pics (it’s only the taking that is exciting) I’m questioning why I should continue giving major coverage of these events. Can I justify taking the pics when it costs me so much in time for no gain?

It would be nice for good coverage of local events to continue…. But should it be by me?

The bottom line is that my interest in these events is sure to continue so I’m certain to still attend them and I fancy I’d find it hard NOT to take a few pics! But maybe it would be nice to leave the exit knowing that the job was done?

I’ve got a lot to think about.

So getting back to the important stuff. My Greenman Chaos edit is nearing the end and there is a massive Gallery of pics to look at…. Maybe you’ll even be tempted to buy a couple to help me justify the time and work?

Follow this link to view my pics:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2018 GREENMAN CHAOS FESTIVAL PICS