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The one thing that wasn't in short supply at Saturday's Motocross championship meeting was dust!

It was also windy enough on the exposed cliff top to make it hard to stand whilst shooting with a large lens.

When those two things are combined there was only one place to be... downwind!

I made every effort to avoid the dust storm but of course that was impossible. Perhaps fortunately, I was booked on another assignment early in the afternoon meaning I left early - but not clean. It took a bit more than a brush off to sort me out... ten minutes in the shower did the job.

The Motocross racing was the first shoot in a long, busy day that didn't finish until 11.30pm and the fifteen bouts of boxing at the Oktober Slugfest at Beau Sejour. Those pics will follow.

Follow this link to view pics of Round-6 of The Motocross Championship:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE MOTOCROSS ROUND-6

It's been another hectic week of shooting and edits.

As always it's the edits that drag on but even those are well on the way. But I'm calling it a day with this last edit. More to come tomorrow.

Pics of Round-2 of the Winter Autocross Championship are now online:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF ROUND-2 OF THE AUTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

The last two hillclimbs of the season had one thing in common.... heavy rain!

Inevitably this saw the numbers of competitors depleted. To be fair to those who didn't turn up I have to say that the Petit Bot hill is tight and challenging even in perfect conditions so when you add into the mix 'rivers' of water running down and across the tarmac there is a real risk of aquaplaning into the stone walls!

It would be all to easy to end the season's racing with a trailer load of pieces and a long winter project trying to put them back together!

However there's always the 'mad bunch' who turn out whatever the weather and they were there at Petit Bot having fun.

I too popped along to take a few wet pics. They're now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW THE WET PETIT BOT HILLCLIMB PICS

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

A quick mention of another gallery addition from a hectic weekend.

This assignment was the first one on Saturday morning and I'll be honest, I was quite pleased that I didn't have more than an hour and a half to spend taking pics! Particularly as I needed to be respectfully clean for jobs later in the day.

It was just that it was sooo dusty! There was no moisture anywhere on the track so during the bigger races a dust storm formed over the clifftop track. In fact a times the racers just disappeared from view.

But, almost repeating my previous comment about the wet Imperial Hillclimb, often the best pics come out of discomfort.

So I quite enjoyed this edit as the dust clouds added a bit of drama to some of the pics. Check them out here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF ROUND 5 OF THE MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

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

Chouet beach was a bit bleak and dull for Round-1 of the Guernsey Autocross Winter Championship :-(

But it was only windy and it remained dry. After the soaking wet Imperial Hillclimb yesterday I'll take that as a positive.

I've nearly completed the Imperial Hillclimb edit and the pics will be online soon. I think I got a few cracking shots. As always, it seems the most uncomfortable conditions will reward you with the most dramatic pics.

At least that is what I keep repeating to myself whilst the rain is trickling down my back!

My Autocross pics are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW ROUND-1 OF THE WINTER AUTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

This was only the second time that the GK&MC Imperial Hillclimb had been run... and what a contrast to the first time.

In 2017 it was a hot and sunny day (nice). The 2018 version was notable for torrential rain! I've learnt to never right-off any event simply because it gets a bit uncomfortable to take a few pics. Often they can be some of the most memorable of the season.

The disappointing side of the event was the greatly reduced number of competitors. Nearly half chose to stay in bed rather than risk doing damage to their racing kit. Understandably I guess.

However those who were a little more 'hard-core' had a busy and fun day of racing and very little damage was done... apart from going home wet through!

By now I'm sure everyone is dry and comfortable with the memory of a day that rewarded their endeavors.

Take a look through this gallery of pics to see if any are your favorites.
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE VERY WET IMPERIAL 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

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

This weekend has been another highlight of the year... but there was a dampener!

Saturday kicked off with a couple of Press jobs then I was off to the Vale Castle for the first day of a double-header of live music. Day one was the turn of Sound Guernsey to take over the main stage within the historic castle walls.

On Sunday it was the main event with the Vale Earth Fair taking its traditional spot. This was the dampener that I mentioned before as, sadly, the twelve hour Festival was wet for the majority of them!

But the hardy festival crowd still had great fun... with me among them. I took plenty pics and they will follow.

The extended Bank holiday weekend concluded (after a late start by me... maybe due to a few too many pints of real ale) with a Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club hillclimb at Le Val des Terres.

The hillclimb edit is the first one online. The pics can be viewed by following this link:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE BANK HOLIDAY HILLCLIMB

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

It was all reverse again for the 2018 Guernsey Motor Cycle and Car Club's Vale Castle Sprint as the track ran from St Sampsons harbour towards Bordeaux harbour this year.

I chatted to quite a few competitors and there seemed to be a general feeling that they enjoyed the track when raced the other way. However swapping things around offers more variety... and that's a good thing isn't it?

As a photographer I think I prefer the opposite direction too, but it's still to have the variety.

There were a couple of breaks in today's racing for crashes but things were sorted very professionally. However it was clear that bikers and cars don't come out as the winners when they 'do battle' with Guernsey granite walls!

My pics of the racing are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW VALE CASTLE SPRINT PICS

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

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