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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

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

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

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

There was a huge entry for the 2018 Guernsey Milk Half Marathon.

I popped down to the start line for a few pics then I headed off to the finish... the journey was a lot easier for me than for the runners ;-)

But this assignment was only the first on a busy day that included the Classic Vehicle Show, Picnic in the Park, Live Jazz music at Candie Gardens and a World Dance team photo-shoot.

Follow this link to view the Guernsey Milk Half Marathon:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2018 GUERNSEY MILK HALF MARATHON
Follow this link to view pics of the World Dance Team Guernsey:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE WORLD DANCE TEAM

It's taken a while but I think I've finally understood what the sport of Golf is all about.

The enlightenment happened whilst I was following play at the inaugural Matt Le Tissier Golf Day at St Pierre Park Hotel Golf Club.

I was walking the course with the Guernsey Press Sports Editor Rob Batiste. It was a truly glorious morning with the sun beating down. Dragonflies were skipping over the water features. There was an atmosphere of peace, calm and pleasure.

I got the feeling that the cosseted atmosphere hadn't been missed by the golfers as they wandered down the fairways.

So what did I finally 'get' about the game of golf? What amazing fact had I missed for all these years?

Well, a round of Golf definitely beats a day stuck in the office doing a days 'proper' work! I was the unlucky one as I was the one working!

Now that I've seen the light I might consider taking up the sport but for today I had to work whilst the guys enjoyed the sun... and a day away from the grindstone!

To prove that I wasn't completely distracted I've added a gallery featuring a few of my pics:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE MATT LE TISSIER GOLF DAY

It's taken a day to get there but the job is done.

My weekend was busy chasing around the Island completing a list of photo-shoots.

Once again the fun and enjoyment came from the variety of the work.

The shoots included the GK&MC Sprint meeting at Vazon coast road. A Bowls competition (The Sarnia Shield) Vale Rec v Guernsey Bowls Club at the Corbet Field. Saturday ended with too many beers at the Sound in the Market gig... followed by a bus trip and walk home. Yes, I slept well after a busy day (maybe it was the beer?) :-)

Sunday started too early for my hang-over with the Triathlon Super Sprint at Grande Rocque. After a quick edit of the previous work to meet the submission deadline I was off to the Vale Earth Fair fundraising Record Fair. Finally there was a chance to enjoy the fresh air (I needed it) whilst photographing the Living Streets walk in St Peters.

So ended another packed weekend...

These links take you to some of the Galleries:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF SOUND AT THE MARKET
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE VAZON SPRINT
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE TRIATHLON SUPER SPRINT
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE BOWLS SARNIA SHIELD

The Gallery updates are still coming at quite a pace....

I'm having to juggle my Commercial photoshoot work with the Sports and Events photography and having a busy Bank Holiday weekend has only made the backlog bigger!

But perseverance is usually the answer at these times. So I've devoted the day to catching up.

These are a couple of the new updates.

Firstly the Autocross Fun Meeting at Chouet... lots of pics to see.

Then there are pics of the GVC Summer Crit Series at Delancey Park... check 'em out too.
CLICK TO VIEW THE AUTOCROSS FUN MEETING PICS
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE SUMMER CRIT SERIES_ROUND-3

Maybe it was the sun? Maybe it was just me enjoying the Bank Holiday Motorsport?

There must have been a reason I captured many more action pics than a 'normal' hillclimb shoot... these galleries are BIG!

OK, I'll own up to why I was trigger happy for this event.... and it's a good excuse!

I've just started using my latest lens and it's always great fun trying to learn how to get the best images out of a new piece of kit. The new lens is the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR. A big name for a big lens that is BIG on quality.

I've purchased it to replace my 200-400 f/4 VR which has proven to be one of my most used lenses for sports photography... it has even proven itself when photographing music festivals. Of course I've had to run the gauntlet of fellow photographers comments when using a big lens in the pit. You can guess the sort of thing... 'that's a big one you've got there, what are you compensating for?'

Maybe there's an element of truth there? But I'm not saying!

My first impressions of the 180-400mm after just half a dozen photo-shoots are very positive. I'll add a 'hands on' review when I've given the Nikon 180-400mm a real workout.

This gallery features many pics (more than a normal shoot) with many taken with the new lens at the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Hillclimb up Le Val des Terres.

Please bear in mind that the pics in the gallery are very low web resolution (only 800 pixels wide) so they give NO idea of the detail of full size images. Lookout for the full review of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR for full-size files.

However if you are interested in how this coverage of a hillclimb turned out click this link to see the pics:
CLICK TO VIEW THE HILLCLIMB GALLERY INCLUDING NIKON 180-400mm PICS

I nearly missed this one... the Guernsey Velo Club Summer Crit Series race at Belgrave Vinery.

I was driving home when I noticed the signs for the Ian Brown's Cycles sponsored event - Round-2.

So my ever patient and tolerant missus allowed me to make a quick turn-around of the evening meal and I was soon out of the door (avoiding the washing up) allowing me to get back to photograph the Crit race.

Unfortunately as I arrived one of the racers shouted 'you'd better be quick Andy as this is the last lap!'

Not much time then to capture some action. But I was pleased I made the effort (not only because I missed having to dry the dishes) as the venue offered a change from previous photo-shoots.

A gallery of the pics is now online:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE BELGRAVE VINERY RACE

The 2018 Rossborough FA Cup Final at The Track was set for a 19:30 Kick Off. The qualifying teams were Rovers and Vale Rec. The scene was set for a competitive game.

My fear was that the score might be level at full time... an even worse scenario would be the addition of a penalty shoot-out after extra time!

Now it wasn't that I wanted to deny the fans their monies worth of action, tension and enjoyment. No, it was just that I had a very tight deadline to submit my pics for the early morning print of the Guernsey Press.

In fact, even if the game was concluded in normal time it was tight.

So I was as tense as any of the supporters when it was still 1-1 with just seven minutes of play left. To my relief it was Vale Rec who broke the deadlock and eased the pressure a bit for this 'tog.

This meant that I left The Track at 21:35 (after photographing the presentation of the Cup). I then joined the queue of vehicles (very frustrating) leaving Victoria Avenue as I headed back to my office to complete a quick edit.

There was no time to waste making a selection of pics and once they were cropped, balanced and tagged they winged their way to the Picture Desk.

All in, the job was complete - presentation pics, travel, edit, tagging and submission in 37 minutes!

I deserved that glass of red wine... it helped me chill-out and I needed it!

My edit of Rossborough FA Cup pics can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE 2018 ROSSBOROUGH FA CUP PICS

Maya Le Tissier played her last game as Captain of St Martins U16's at Blanche Pierre Lane before leaving Guernsey to pursue her football career.

Maya has already Captained the England U16s and islanders are wishing her good luck in the future as she represents Guernsey and England.

I popped along to photograph Maya. There was a good turn-out of supporters at St Martins to enjoy the last opportunity to see our young star.
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF MAYA LE TISSIER

Viewings of this website have hit the Speed of Light!

I'm not sure that a link can be made between web viewings and the speed of light but hey, this is my Blog so I'll do what I like, ha, ha!

Purists can e-mail complaints to CLICK HERE TO SEND YOUR COMMENTS if you think I've overstepped the obligation to be accurate and factual within the known laws of physics.

I imagine my wife will be among the first to pound the keyboard... and one of my sons will likely join in with the complainants. They seem to share a liking for correctness!

For the rest of you maybe you'll just go with the flow and allow me to use this unproven association as a way to describe the amazing speed that the latest ONE MILLION VIEWS have been added to this website.

Something special must have 'come together'... maybe the stars aligned in just the perfect way... for my fastest ever million new viewings to be recorded. These are the numbers... ONE MILLION VIEWS IN JUST 40 DAYS!

Sadly, my guess is that no scientist will bother trying to research how this event happened. That's a shame as I'd love to know so I could repeat it again and again!

So I'll just enjoy it this time as it might never be replicated.

Also, whilst I'm here, I'd like to say 'many thanks' to everyone who keeps coming back to look at my pics and say that you are now part of a previously unknown 'Law of Physics', ha, ha!

You can view a few old Blogs recording past MILLION MILESTONES here:
CLICK TO VIEW PREVIOUS MILLION MILESTONES

Sunday morning started with a leisurely 400 metre swim, followed by an 8 mile cycle then a 2 mile run for good measure.... no problem!

Not for this photographer you understand! No, all that exercise was for the participants in Guernsey Triathlon's Novice event.

For me I had to motivate myself to just get out of bed for the early start. I'd still be under the covers if I'd had to face that physical challenge.

However, once I was at the start of the Novice event it turned out to be most enjoyable (watching others do the hard bit!) as it was a beautiful morning. I didn't see any of the triathletes regret having a go at the hard-core event so I imagine quite a few will add future events to their diaries. Some people really are strange, eh!

Once my work was done at Beau Sejour I made a quick visit back to the office to edit and submit my pics for publication then it was off to Chouet for the final round of the Autocross Club's Summer Championship.

All the pics are now online:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE NOVICE TRIATHLON
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE AUTOCROSS RACING

I made a mention in a recent Blog that my Liberation Day this year had started early and gone on long....

It also seems like the edit of the various assignments are doing the same as it is only now that I've completed the work!

My first job of the Lib Day morning was to shoot a few pics of the 2018 Cycle Road Race at the Imperial. It was a long but pleasant drive down the west coast and the reward was some great light and action. The bonus is that I wouldn't have made the effort to get there if I hadn't been booked in to cover the event.

Following on from the Cycle Race it was a return trip up the coast to the Houmet to photograph another Lib Day Road Race... running this time!

I've added a few pics of each event to my Gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2018 LIBERATION DAY CYCLE RACE
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2018 LIBERATION DAY RUNNING RACE

Liberation Day in Guernsey is celebrated as our very own Bank Holiday each year on May 9th.

Whilst first-hand memories of the actual occupation grow fewer and fewer with each passing year this special day is still a good excuse to party!

The day also has several established Sports events to go along with the traditional historic cavalcade and live music.

This year the day started early for me as I was assigned to photograph the cycle race at the Imperial…. Up at 6am, that was a shock to the system!

Once those pics were in the can it was straight on to the Lib Day road race at the Houmet, then it was me racing up to The Last Post to meet a Guernsey Press reporter for a news item.

As some of the pics were needed for Thursday’s paper I completed a quick edit and tagging of those pics in the back of my studio van/office using mobile data on my phone to submit the pics.

Then it was off into St Peter Port with things not stopping until past midnight!

It was a very long day… about seventeen hours in all – but the infectious fun combined with the fine weather, smiles and partying kept me going!

I’m working through the edit and the first pics can be viewed here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE FIRST PICS OF LIB DAY 2018

The tradition is that near the end of the winter's football season the Channel Islands have one last highlight in the form of the Muratti.

The 2018 match was due to be played in Jersey this year between the old rivals.... Guernsey v Jersey.

As part of the Guernsey squads preparation a warm-up match was arranged against Upton Park. I went along to photograph the game for the Guernsey Press and was able to enjoy a beautiful spring-time evening. This was a far cry away from some of the games I'd covered during the winter when the wind and driving rain under flood-lights made it quite a miserable place to be.

Maybe this evening game was the reward and pay-back for that discomfort? Who knows how these things work!

The pics are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE GUERNSEY v UPTON PARK MURATTI WARM-UP MATCH

After last year's wash-out of the Guernsey Race Club's Bank Holiday Horse Racing meeting the 2018 version can only be described as fantastic!

It was great to see the Club rewarded by a stunning, sunny day and there seemed to be hundreds of supporters at L'Ancresse to watch the racing.

Such a lot of effort (and money) is invested before each race day that the small number of Club members need praise for keeping up their enthusiasm after last year.

Hopefully they enjoyed a fantastic afternoon's racing like the rest of us... although I imagine they were still 'beavering away' behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly.

May I say a big 'Thank You' on behalf of all those who chilled out at Guernsey's own 'Day at the Races'

My own day was pretty hectic as, due to early print deadlines, I spent the afternoon chasing the races around L'Ancresse then hopping into my studio van between races, editing and tagging the previous race then e-mailing them into the Press.

It was all pretty tiring in the scorching heat but well worth the effort!

This picture gallery shows some of the action....
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE BANK HOLIDAY HORSE RACING

The weekend so far has had some ups... but also some downs.

Thankfully the ups outnumber the downs so I'll say we shouldn't let the low points spoil the mood.

Firstly we must call the weather one of the ups. Come on, it's scorching hot. That has to be a high!

Next, it's a Bank Holiday weekend. That means a long weekend off work (at least if you're not a photographer like me)!

Next... the Guernsey Raiders won the Siam Cup when they beat Jersey Reds. Now you're not going to dispute me calling that as another up, are you? Of course I'm assuming that you don't live in Jersey!

But if you do then you have your own win to crow about. The Jersey Under 18's side beat the Guern's in the U18 football Muratti. That's a downer in my eyes.

I still managed to enjoy my Sunday though as I also photographed the GMC&CC Twisty Sprint at The Track. This was the 'warm-up' event of the Motorsport weekend ahead of the Bank Holiday Hillclimb at Le Val des Terres.

Pics of the action so far can be viewed at these links:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE SIAM CUP RUGBY
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE TWISTY SPRINT
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE UNDER 18s MURATTI