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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

The Guernsey Triumph Motor Cycle Club with visiting friends from the England, Wales and Germany made an appearance at the GK&MC Hillclimb and rode in formation up Le Val des Terres.

There was almost more sparkle off the polished chrome than my camera could handle!

It's fantastic to see that this group are doing such a great job of keeping these historic British bikes on the road. The latest Triumphs were also on show offering a chance for spectators to see what the marque has offered through the decades.

I've added a Gallery of pics featuring the Triumph ride-out....
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE TRIUMPH RIDE-OUT

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 enjoyed a fun evening at St Pierre Park Hotel before I had to leave to photograph another event.

This first assignment was one of those that just seemed to fall into place... why can't they all be like that?

I was at St Pierre Park Hotel to photograph a few of the early arrivals for the Guernsey Grammar School Proms.

Now, I'll let you into a secret. I'm a former Grammar School student. However when I went to the school it was very different. Firstly there were no girls! Secondly the idea of having an end of term Proms hadn't been invented yet! Times have changed!

But back to my first comment. This was such an easy assignment to photograph... helped by the fact that the students were excited by the completion of their school time and their party mood had kicked in.

Ultimately I have to accept that the world is so different than the one I grew up in. But thankfully one thing remains unchanged. The youth of every decade always look forward with optimism, energy, excitement and freedom. This generation isn't so different after all.

But how I envy them ;-)

My pics are now online here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2018 GRAMMAR SCHOOL PROMS

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

The Fermain Tavern had been given a major facelift for the launch of The Recks album 'The Beast from the Sea'.

It was certain that the 'Tav would be packed for the long awaited coming of TBFTS. What was (perhaps) unexpected was the brilliantly themed decor. Nice one guys.

I've photographed The Recks many, many times... you can tell I like them! So I have loads of pics.... and that isn't an exaggeration. The running total of pics of The Recks now runs at over SEVEN HUNDRED!

View a few of my pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE BEAST FROM THE SEA ALBUM LAUNCH

Motocross bikes have established an important role in keeping up the numbers at the GMC&CC Sandracing on Vazon beach.

The Solo Sliders class is now only just above being viable... four of five competitors barely makes a race. This is very sad as a full grid of Sliders would be the biggest draw for spectators.

Having said that, the MX riders are putting on a great show of close, competitive racing and with a class that now puts over a dozen bikes on the line the MX now take the headline spot for sheer entertainment.

Every sport goes through a periodic cycle when the following weakens and often with time that reverses. Hopefully that will be the case with the Solo Sliders. Maybe a few of the MX racers will make the step up to the hardcore class?

The Club has also invested a lot of time and attention in nurturing a couple of Cadet classes so hopefully that's the future sorted!

I was down on the Vazon sands on Saturday capturing pics of the Round-3 action.

The pics are here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS ROUND-3 OF THE SANDRACING

If you want a band with the longest set list ever, who you gonna call?

The Erawigs!

I was at The Fermain Tavern to photograph The Erawigs on a rare appearance on the night before they were to entertain a wedding reception.

I didn't get to that one but my guess is that no-one would have been left with an ounce of energy after dancing all night.... although I hope the newly-weds managed to pace themselves ;-)

My pics of Erawigs are online here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF ERAWIGS

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

It was Horsepower all the way on Bank Holiday Monday.

My day started with petrol powered horsepower at the GMC&CC Hillclimb, Le Val des Terres. There was power to spare down in the pits as the competitors warmed up their machinery.

The conditions were near perfect for racing with the combination of hot tarmac and sticky rubber allowing full use the power as the racers made their noisy progress up the hill.

What a contrast it was in the afternoon.

I had to make an early exit from the 'Terres at lunchtime as the Guernsey Race Club were running five Horse races at L'Ancresse.

The sun had encouraged hundreds of spectators to the common and they were entertained by horsepower in its purest form.

I photographed the racing in my normal manner... by getting close to the action and I must confess that one horsepower in the form of a thoroughbred race horse is mighty impressive when you feel the wind as it passes at full gallop.

The pics of the mornings man-made power are now online. Tomorrow I'll upload pics of the real thing....
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE GMC&CC HILLCLIMB

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

The KB Project organized a gig on the famous Fermain Tavern stage on Friday 5th May.

I managed to get along to the 'Tav at the end of a busy evening after I had photographed Gabrielle Aplin and her support act Gregory Harrison at St James Concert Hall.

The contrast between the two venues was quite dramatic. St James has the grandeur, style and scale of a building that was originally built as a church. The Fermain Tavern has the aura of a dark and more intimate club.

Both venues offer unique stages for local and visiting artists to showcase their music. The combination of the two venues illustrates (once again) how lucky we are to have such a wide choice of entertainment available on Guernsey..... if you make the effort to get off the couch!

I've added pics of Gabrielle Aplin, Gregory Harrison and The KB Project to the Gallery:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF GABRIELLE APLIN
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF GREGORY HARRISON
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE KB PROJECT

I'm counting the hours till I can say that the weekend's assignments are all completed...

This work includes the selection and editing of the pics (including the important deletion of the 'fails'). But that isn't the end of the work, in fact that is just the start!

The next job on the list is to 'tag' a few with details and then submit them for publication.

The next box to tick is the uploading of pics to this website's picture Gallery.

But the job can only be marked as complete after I've backed up the images and then added all the 'keepers' (originals and the saved edited versions) to my picture database. This is an important (vital) process to ensure nothing is lost and any picture can be found very quickly in the future with just a couple of mouse clicks!

The first parts of the above list are nearly sorted, yeah!!

The cataloguing of all the pics into my searchable database is the final chore... I must have been VERY bad in a previous life as this process is a real pain. However, once it is complete the benefit of being able to search for any shot by time, date, subject.... in fact anything you could possibly think of is absolutely essential to me as it enables a very quick and easy response to requests for my pics.

Today's updates include the first Rickety Bridge Cricket game of 2018... Elizabeth College v Wanderers/Irregulars and the Channel Islands Table Tennis Finals.

View the pics here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE RICKETY BRIDGE CRICKET GAME
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE CHANNEL ISLANDS TABLE TENNIS FINALS
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