News / Blog - Sports News

There was a double-header of action events for me to photograph this morning. I reckon that this sets the tone for the rest of the year as my diary is already filling up with a multitude of different events.

As I've mentioned many time before, it is the variety of sports, gigs, festivals, commercial shoots and news items that I photograph that makes my job the best.

I get to see and experience so much that Guernsey can offer its residents... just as long as they chose to be involved. I'm going to work as hard as ever to offer the best coverage out there. Make sure you visit this Blog page regularly to find a link to all the latest updates.

Today you can view pics of the GVC MTB XC race at The Guet and Round 7 of the Autocross Club Banger racing championship at Chouet. Follow these links:
CLICK TO VIEW THE GVC MTB XC RACING
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST AUTOCROSS RACING

After what can only be described as a miserable, wet afternoon photographing Guernsey Football Club playing against Bostik League team Whitstable at Footes Lane, the Green Lions managed to raise a small smile on mine... and spectators faces after they were given a late penalty... saving a 1-1 draw at the final whistle.

The Lions had looked like the better side at the start of the game but attention and motivation seemed to soon drift from players.

This allowed the visitors to snatch a goal against the flow of play up to that time.

The second half started with the GFC re-motivated and they chased every ball and came close to scoring several times. It was this pressure that won them a penalty. Sadly it was too late in the game to effect a turn-around and the draw had to be accepted.

So not a lot to brighten such a wet and windy day that saw me miserable and straining to see what I was doing through the wet specs, wet screen and wet lenses. Truthfully, I was relieved after completing the edit that I managed to shoot a few 'keepers'. Viewing the shots back in the studio was like seeing the scene for the first time!!

Thank you Nikon for producing such great cameras that, it seems, barely require a sighted photographer to capture great action!
CLICK TO VIEW GFC v WHITSTABLE PICS

I must admit that I could quite easily become a little obsessed with the way the Internet works. (If I'm not already!)

Without a doubt I spend too much time online scanning websites... but don't we all? Well you are here reading this Blog, eh!

I justify my 'habit' to myself in a couple of ways. Firstly I used to spend quite some time every day reading newspapers. Now I rarely pick up a 'rag' as my news is garnered from the net. This allows me to focus more easily on my interests and I can also read from a far wider range of publications.

The other side of this is that my photographic business owes a lot of its success to how the Internet works. Of course my undoubted talent as a photographer has a lot to do with this too!!!!

The web allows a business to 'put itself out there' for very little cost and once a base of followers exists it is possible to reach out to potential customers very easily.... and quickly!

That's the point of the headline of this Blog (and what I find interesting).

I've just finished adding a new picture gallery of today's MTB Downhill racing that took place this morning in Talbot Valley.

Before writing this Blog I added a quick message on Facebook with a few MTB pics and a link to the newly added gallery. For a bit of fun I thought I'd monitor the live website visits using Google Analytics to see what the response would be and how quickly the word would get out.

This is the fun bit. Amazingly in under ten minutes there were 18 people already viewing the gallery and the stats continued to show a constant stream of new visitors. Amazing!

I've got to thank you all for the (speedy) interest in my pics. And thanks to the Internet for the part you play too :-)

Also Sam Clark has to have a special mention as he took a tumble right in front of me (thanks) as 'crash' pics are also guaranteed to generate views!!

If you're interested, the full gallery of today's MTB Downhill racing pics can be viewed here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NEW MTB DOWNHILL RACING PICS

There was a big entry into the latest cross country race in the FNB 2018 Series.

The track conditions were about right for a cross country race... not too heavy going but soft enough to sap the runners stamina.

The course was set in and around the large field at Home Farm. I was able to spend a few minutes capturing some action before I had to move on to the next job. You can view my pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE FNB XC RACE-3

After photographing some of the XC I popped along to Port Soif where Rovers were playing Alderney...
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF ROVERS v ALDERNEY

European Tour Professional Golfer Robert Rock visited La Grande Mare Golf Club where he coached the Guernsey Island Junior Golf Team.

Robert had lots of good advise and tips to offer after many years playing at the top level. He first joined the European Tour as an affiliate member back in 2003.

Since then he has played all around the world against the biggest names in the sport. Impressively he can add two of the all-time greats to his list of opponents that he has beaten... Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy no less!

Let's hope a bit of his magic will rub off on our local juniors!

I was sent along to take a few pics. View them here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF ROBERT ROCK

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

Pics from a chilly but bright Petit Bot valley where the GVC MTB Downhill riders were in action today are now online in a new Gallery.

This assignment was just one of three which kept me busy most of the day. The other two were also sports action... just a normal weekend then!

I loved the bright light when I was down at Vazon bay capturing some surfing action. By the time I got to the Trials Bike event the sun was lower in the sky and the best of the day had passed. But it was an enjoyable end to the weekend.

Now I just have to complete the edit :-(

The first MTB pics can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE DOWNHILL MTB SERIES

A simple quick Blog this time just to let you know that I've added a few pics of the Elizabeth College v Grammar School game played on the All Weather pitch at KGV.

This is the link to the gallery of pictures:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF ELIZABETH COLLEGE v GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOOTBALL

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

I photographed a fast moving basketball game at Beau Sejour this evening.

It's a great sport to capture action as it's virtually non-stop. There is difficulty getting into a good position court-side as there is very little space. Also the low level of lighting makes it a challenge... but that's what makes it fun.

The game was between Giants and Skipton. My pics can be viewed here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF GIANTS v SKIPTON

Today we had a taste of what football would be like if the game chose to contest the championship in the summertime.

From a photographers viewpoint wouldn't it be great if we could always photograph the games with a hot sun beating down on our backs? Wouldn't it be fantastic to always have clear bright light to make the kit colours zing. Also there would be no more struggling to capture the fast moving action under low level floodlighting.

Of course all that is just a dream. This years football championships will again be contested during the winter. Players and photographers will have to man up and get on with the job... whatever the weather!

This is what made it so important to enjoy the moment today at the GFC v Hastings United game at Footes Lane where the weather was like a mid-summer day.

I captured some of the action and the pics are now online here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF GFC v HASTINGS UNITED

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

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

It was another early start for a Guernsey Velo Club event. In fact I was on the job before sunrise!!

This time it was at Le Val des Terres for the grueling Hillclimb. This traditional event attracted a good field of competitors including 'Terres virgins to defending record holder Nick Despres.

Nick has held the hillclimb record for around 30 years... surely that must be a record of its own?

I've already added pics of the racing to the gallery. However the complete coverage of all my weekends assignments will take a few days as it has been very busy.

Keep a check on this Blog for all the updates.

The GVC 'Terres Hillclimb pics can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2018 GVC TERRES HILLCLIMB

A sunny Sunday afternoon of sports photography down at Port Soif... you'd be excused for guessing that I was photographing Cricket from the brief clue above.

But no, whilst it is only just mid September, we've seen the end of cricket. So that leaves you with another top choice... yes football!

And what a pleasure it was to stand beside the pitch photographing the Ravenscroft Under 18's League game between Rovers and Sylvans.

I'm going to try and preserve the memory to use it to raise my spirits when I'm sent to photograph a game on a wet, dark and windy February night... that might work!!

Take a look at a few sunny pics here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE U18 ROVERS v SYLVANS FOOTBALL

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

A very quick Blog just to inform you the pics of the Guernsey FC v Ashford United football game a Footes Lane have been added to the Sports Gallery.

Follow this link to view the pics:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OG GUERNSEY FC v ASHFORD UNITED

This is another of my assignments that needs a supply of ear-plugs.

Some of the others are gig photography - where it often seems the best shots come whilst resting a ear on the speaker cabinets. There's also a need for a bit of aural protection whilst photographing Motorsport.

If you haven't had the chance to experience standing a couple of feet away from a full-bore rifle being fired you would probably be surprised, even shocked by the ear-drum piercing crack as the trigger is pulled. I assure you that a cowboy film on TV does little to prepare you!

However the sport is enjoyable to photograph.

The link below takes you to a gallery featuring some of the competitors taking part and the atmosphere at the 2018 Guernsey Full-bore Island Championship held at Fort Le Marchant.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2018 ISLAND FULL-BORE CHAMPIONSHIP

A very pleasant morning was spent in Talbot Valley photographing the Guernsey Velo Club MTB Downhill Series Round-3.

It was another scorching day (mustn't complain) but it was nice to spend my time in the shade of the wooded valley.

The low light under the trees also helped me in balancing the ambient light with a flash and low shutter speed to add a bit of movement and drama to my pics.

You can check the pics out here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF ROUND-3 OF THE DOWNHILL MTB SERIES