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Guernsey's School of Popular Music has only been in existence for a few years but they have already established a tradition.

At Christmas-time the SoPM arrange a special gig to show-case their students... both new and old. This is organized at one the Guernsey's live music venues and gives students the chance to experience what it is like to perform to an audience with the benefit of a pro sound system, sound desk technician and stage lighting.

I've photographed many of the SoPM events and enjoy seeing the progress of the first singers and musicians to start the courses. There is real talent on show. It's also great to see the 'buzz' that the 'first-timers' feel after their introduction to live gigging.

This year the SoPM arranged two special events at Christmas. As well as the Doghouse gig the newer students had their very own concert at The Church on the Rock. This was performed to a packed house of family and friends.

You can check-out pics of all the SoPM events that I have photographed by having a look at these galleries:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE SCHOOL OF POPULAR MUSIC EVENTS
CLICK

A quick update... this is a busy time of year for me :-)

I'll be updating the Galleries every time I have a few moments with the aim of not falling weeks behind with the edits.... a problem I get into every year over the festive period.

So here's today's quickie.

Take a look at Wondergeist's latest pics from their Fermain Tavern gig.

Oh, by the way, I love this band. Make sure you catch one of their gigs.
CLICK TO VIEW THE LATEST PICS OF WONDERGEIST

So what's a bloke to do when the majority of the Motorsport season is over?

Well today I spent an enjoyable sunny morning photographing the GVC MTB Winter XC Series Round-2 at Pleinmont. The circuit used part of the Motocross track (so I felt quite at home), combined with fields and clifftop paths.

OK, I did miss the noise and engine fumes but the action was great! The hour long race was challenging even for the fittest rider but we all benefited from the wonderful sunny winters morning.

There was an excellent turnout of competitors who took full advantage of the Motocross track layout that offered opportunity to overtake and a choice of racing line.

I'll call this event a great success. Let me know what you thought of it.

I've added a full selection of MTB pics to my website galleries. Take a look at the pics here....
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ROUND-2 OF THE MTB XC WINTER SERIES

It has become tradition that Noizemonkey host a special gig at The Fermain Tavern on the Halloween weekend.

Regulars know what to expect.... lots of ghouls, ghosts, madness and music :-0

This years effort was as good as any of the previous nights of terror. The guys had done a fantastic job of decorating the venue and this offered a fitting backdrop for those gig-goers who had made an effort to dress up and paint their bodies. At least I hope it was all pretend!!

There were some truly scary haunted beings wandering around St Martins.

As a photographer it is fun to take pics of the characters however I'm the boring one who turns up at these nights wearing just my normal gear... and face. My excuse is that I don't want to get grease paint and (hopefully fake) blood on my expensive kit ;-)

It was only the next day that it dawned on me that maybe my 'normal' look is so scary that I fitted right in without the aid of props!

This years halloween Saturday was a busy one for me as I had a conflict of events to photograph. This meant I had to share my time around.

I started off at the 'Tav taking pics of Blacksmith.

I then jumped in my van and headed off to the Haunted House event in Vale Castle. Checkout the pics here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE HAUNTED HOUSE EVENT

After capturing some of the atmosphere in the Castle it was back to the 'Tav just in time to see the nights headliners SugarSlam.

This finished off the halloween weekend with style. Well done Noizemonkey for all your hard work. You can now return to the vaults until next year.

The pics are online here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF BLACKSMITH PLAYING AT HALLOWEEN
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF SUGARSLAM PLAYING AT HALLOWEEN

I love round numbers. Numbers like one million, one hundred, ten… in fact any number that ends in noughts. The more noughts the better though!

There is something nice and tidy about a number that ends in a nought.

I’ve no idea where I get the passion for numerical tidiness from as my office desk is proof that I don’t carry this zeal for tidiness into all aspects of my life!

But I won’t let that small fact spoil the pleasure I felt when my website viewing passed another significant mark… another of those cherished ‘round numbers’.

In fact I’m celebrating two new markers in one this time around. Just how happy can a photographer be???

The celebration comes as this website's total picture views passed through the FIFTEEN MILLION mark…. that’s SIX NOUGHTS you know ;-)

By coincidence this also marks a new record for the number of views within a twelve month period. In fact it is just eleven months since the website views passed ELEVEN MILLION, so for the first time, I have had more than FOUR MILLION views within a year.

That deserves a smiley face :-)

When viewings passed the THREE MILLION annual total I commented that it probably wouldn’t be repeated but now I’m getting cocky and have set myself the challenge of breaking an annual FIVE MILLION views.

To achieve this I don’t see any time in the near future when I’ll find a moment to get around to tidying the disorderly desk…. But that’s fine as ‘tidy’ round numbers will keep me happy ;-)

Thanks for the continued visits to view my pics. It is you who make up the numbers.

You can view a few of the old ‘Milestone Millions’ Blogs by following this link:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PREVIOUS 'MILLION' BLOGS

The last Motocross meeting of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club's 2016 Motocross Championship was an exciting event as the final places were fought for.

Once again the weather turned out to be just about perfect with the overnight rain leaving the track in near perfect condition.

All the extensive work that a small band of helpers had done over the summer break on laying out a new track has certainly paid off. The re-designed corners and jumps have offered a new challenge to both racers and photographers as we all took time to find the fastest lines and best photographic angles.

These changes can re-invigorate all of us when the motivation starts to drop. Also the fact that most meetings have been dry and mild also helps I guess ;-)

I've added a new gallery featuring the final Race-8 of the Championship. Check-out the pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF THE FINAL MX RACE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP

On a sunny day in the wooded Dos D'ane valley everything is as pretty as a picture.

With the leaves taking on their autumnal colours and the low sun I almost broke one of my 'mantra's'... that is that I don't take 'pretty' pictures anymore!

That all changed when I took up photography as a full-time occupation.

Back in my RPS and Camera Club days I took as many landscape, sunset, sunrise, flower, wildlife pics.... (you get the idea) as any other hobbyist photographer.

Somehow that has changed now that a lot of my work is to a clients strict brief. My other two specialties - Music and Sport photography also don't offer many chances to make a 'pretty' picture.

But as I edited the recent Trails meeting held in the Dos D'Ane valley I noticed that I was getting close to making a 'pretty' picture - all by accident - as natures colours were beginning to glow.

In the end the pics I ended up with were still just motorsport pics but I loved how the seasonal colour added a bit of zing to some of the shots.

You can view the pics here:
CLICK TO VIEW TRIAL PICS WITH AN AUTUMNAL GLOW

I've added another two Galleries featuring more Rock from the weekend.

Actually I should really phrase it like this.... 'more rock from the 80's' as these particular gigs/parties held last Saturday within the walls of Vale Castle offered a trip back to the Rock music of the 80's - with a bit of Dance and Halloween thrown into the mix!

The nights were organized by House Events and promoted as Haunted House 2016.

It was a double header featuring a Dance night on Friday followed by live 80's music on Saturday from 'That 80s Rock Show'.

My overall impression of the two nights was very positive with the choice of the Halloween weekend being a good one as people seem to make a special effort to get out and have fun :-)

I've added two galleries that feature the atmosphere in the heated marquee that was decorated in a Halloween theme and set up inside Vale Castle. If you didn't make it down this year the pics will give you an idea what you missed.

Checkout the pics here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE TWO HAUNTED HOUSE NIGHTS

The Recks (with a new lineup) returned to one of their favorite venues last Friday night.

With so much live music, entertainment and competition from other popular bands over the Halloween weekend I wondered if The Recks would pay the price of being away from the music scene for so many months.

There was good reason for their absence as the band had lost key members after they left Sark for noisier and fast environments... I think they'll miss Sark's special lifestyle though. It always leaves its mark!

I'm pleased to say that the remaining Recks decided that what they had together was just too good to give up on. They had amassed a popular set list of originals and had a following across all the Channel Islands... and beyond!

It was that loyal following that meant the return of the new Recks would command a good crowd of fans - even with all the previously mentioned competition.

My own weekend was very busy - sports photography on all three days and four gigs in the nights.... covering a total of six bands and three venues!

I'm starting to update the galleries but it is taking time as the incredible fine weather has meant my Tallpictures work has been non-stop.

But here are a few links for the latest updates:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE RECKS NEW LINEUP
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF LORD VAPOUR
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE SECRET SMILES

In the 'old days' when November was just around the corner we weren't surprised if conditions started to get dull and overcast.

We could expect to have to add an extra layer of clothing to keep the chill of the sea breeze at bay. There would be little encouragement to go down to the beach... except for dog walking.

However nowadays the calendar date is no way to predict what the climate will have on offer. This is perhaps the influence of global warming on the weather? Who knows for sure?

So maybe it was that climatic effect that played a part in giving the latest round of the 'Winter' Autocross championship a very unseasonable feel.

On Sunday it was a glorious warm and sunny morning down on Chouet beach. My guess is that if the noisy Banger racing hadn't taken over the sands for the morning a few swimmers would have taken advantage of the lovely day.

But they were restricted to the equally pleasant afternoon as Round-4 of the Winter Banger racing championship churned up the sands in the morning.

I was out in the sun taking a few pics of the action. Check them out here:
CLICK TO VIEW PICS OF ROUND-4 OF THE AUTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

Today made a pleasant change of working environment to the 'normal' petrol fumes of motorsport or the noise of a live gig where you will often find me taking pics!

Today I swapped those types of event for the quieter and more genteel atmosphere of a showjumping arena. I was invited along to photograph the North Show equestrian event at the BSJA grounds in the Forest.

I was quickly reminded how much fun it is to attempt to capture the best action in a showjumping arena. There are many similarities between all 'action' photography... it's about timing and reading what, where and when things reach a peak.

Hopefully I dialed in to the pace of the jumping and caught the competitors best monents.

Unfortunately the conditions were less than perfect as it was dull at first then turned to rain :-(

However I thoroughly enjoyed photographing a change of subject. I must do it again soon :-)

You can view the pics here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NORTH SHOW SHOWJUMPING

A late update... so it's a quickie :-)

I'm on the road early in the morning so it has been a rush to get today's (actually it's now yesterday's) Motocross Gallery online.

The job's now a good'n as a complete Gallery of all the action from race seven of the GK&MC Motocross Championship has been selected, edited and uploaded.

It's been a rush but the pics are here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE MOTOCROSS RACE-7

We welcomed more of our Jersey musical cousins to the Fermain Tavern last Saturday.

Every year many Jersey based bands make the journey across the water to play at one of our music venues or festivals. They often comment on and compliment us on how broad and well supported our local music scene is. Generally speaking they are right, we do have an amazing amount of talent and opportunity to play live here in Guernsey.

But if you are a regular reader of my Blog you will know that I have ranted many times about how the 'punters' don't always offer their support to the bands and venues.

However I'm not going to go into that mode again, at least not this time!

No, I want to make another observation.

If you are a Channel Islander you would have grown up experiencing the (mostly friendly) banter and put-down that exists in our rivalry between Guernsey and Jersey. It is traditional with all inter-insular competition - from the annual football Muratti down. Think of it as our local version of Man U v Liverpool etc....

What struck me the other night at the Fermain Tavern whilst watching the Jersey based band Joe Long & the Bandits was that the music scene is different. Far from the rivalry (and competition) fellow musicians are supportive, respectful and loving (peace man) towards our Jersey cousins.

This just shows the power of music - especially live. But you knew that anyway didn't you :-)

You can view a few pics of Joe Young & the Bandits by following this link:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF JOE YOUNG & THE BANDITS

Tarmac and sand wouldn't normally be used in one sentence when talking about motorsport.

But this is Guernsey and we do things a bit differently over here :-)

On Sunday those two contrasting surfaces both featured in my mornings photography.

Luckily the two events were timed with just a small overlap allowing me to get along to both of them.

First up it was tarmac that offered a track surface. This was at the aptly named 'The Track' for race eight of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club's Summer Kart Championship.

Following on from this it was time to head off to the sands of Chouet Beach where a track had been marked out for race three of the Autocross Club's Winter Series.

So in just one morning I was able to enjoy two wildly contrasting events... in fact perhaps the only similarity was that it was motorsport so the competitors were fired up with only one thought in their head... TO WIN!

These races are always entertaining and I recommend them to you if you're looking for something different to occupy yourself with on a Sunday morning.

Follow these links to view the pics:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE KARTING PICS
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE BANGER RACING PICS

As one of the Guernsey Press pool of freelance photographers I was called in to assist the team of full-time 'togs to photograph the Guernsey Press 'Pride of Guernsey' Awards Evening.

The GP and all their staff had made a huge effort to make the evening memorable and a success.

The whole main open plan office area had been cleared of all the workstations leaving a massive space to layout the dining tables and stage together with the lighting and sound system supplied by Joys.

During the preparation there had been a massive amount of work and inconvenience... remember that this was the working office that still had to produce the daily Guernsey Press from within all the disruption!

However all that upheaval was worth it as the space worked incredibly well and the evening was considered a success by everyone I spoke to.

Of course I was the lucky one as the next day for me was just a 'normal day'... my GP workmates had to rebuild their office before meeting the next days print deadline.

I really enjoyed being part of the event and supplying 'live' pics of the awards ceremony so that a special edition of the Guernsey Press could be printed on the evening so the Award winners and guests could take away a copy as they left.

The only thing remaining for me to do is to congratulate all the Award winners.

You can view a few of my pics in this gallery:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE PRIDE OF GUERNSEY AWARDS 2016

Liberation Day in Guernsey is our National Holiday.

Islanders come together to organize many different events that offer something for all ages and all tastes.

I usually manage to get around to a few different venues and have enjoyed being the official photographer for the day.

I've updated this years gallery with a few more pics featuring Stone Em All.

You can view pics of the band by following this link:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF LIBERATION DAY 2016

The final two races in the Guernsey Powerboat Association's Stanley Gibbons Investment Powerboat Series couldn't have been more different... bearing in mind they were separated by just twenty-five hours.

To be honest, race one of the weekend was a bit of a miserable affair when judged from a photographers point of view.

A dull, overcast sky will only offer a grey coloured sea. Also the colour of the race boats loose any 'zing'. And of course during the race the grey sky fulfilled its promise by adding a few heavy showers into the mix.

So perhaps we just need to forget race one!

That is because Sunday's race two turned everything on its head. When I first arrived there was no guarantee that the sun would appear. The sky was grey again. But as the minutes passed by, so did the cloud.

Photographers turned out in numbers... where were you all yesterday, eh?

We were given just the sort of light we like and we all snapped away.

It was nice to end the busy season on a sunny high. Next year is just around the corner. It's already expected to be one of the best ever as World Championship racing will return again to Guernsey's waters in 2017.

My two days of pics are now online:
CLICK TO VIEW THE LAST TWO POWERBOAT RACES OF THE 2016 SERIES

Sunday was another busy Motorsport photography day.

First up was the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club Twisty Sprint at The Track.

The event was sponsored by Channel Island Fuels and gave the Motorbike racers their first try of the new Track after the re-design and re-surfacing.

Whilst the essential layout remained as before a new complex that now includes a tight hairpin corner added to the challenge as the correct braking point would be critical to achieving your best time.

The riders had what seemed like an endless number of timed laps and were kept very busy with the continual swapping of tyre warmers.

In the end I made two visits to The Track - split by a trip to Chouet to photograph the Autocross Banger championship.

These two events completed a busy and varied weekend of motorsport - in the dry!! A welcome change to Saturdays damp Petit Bot hillclimb.

I'm working through the edit and have just added a gallery featuring the Twisty Sprint. I'll add another link to the Autocross Bangers when they are also online.

Follow the links to view the pics:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE TRACK TWISTY SPRINT


The Autocross Banger racing galleries have now been updated with pics of Round-2 of the Winter Championship:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LATEST AUTOCROSS PICTURES

Petit Bot Hillclimb 2016 turned out to be an event that tested my patience and stamina! I will explain more below.

This end of season Hillclimb is a bit of an odd one in the calender.

Firstly no formula single-seater's are allowed to race. This automatically excludes some of the fastest racers.

Then you have the challenging and narrow track (maybe the reason the single-seater's are banned) which most years really is green.... a motorsport term for a track that hasn't been rubbered in by regular racing.

But when the term is used for Petit Bot hill it is because the road surface actually is green! This is caused as the damp tree-lined valley receives little direct sun and a layer of fine moss covers much of the road.

The thing about the Petit Bot Hillclimb is that sometimes it turns out to be a seasons highlight.

But then sometimes it is a bit of a damp flannel (maybe an oily rag would be a better motorsport term)?

2016 was one of the non-vintage years. The event suffered from many delays which were only dampened further by a few showers that lasted just long enough to be uncomfortable.

Now I should also add to these comments that I haven't gone soft. Delays and getting wet are all part of sport photography. I've enough stamina left to handle a bit of that :-)

What really finished off a rather flat day for me was that after spending an extended time on my Petit Bot picture edit (longer than usual due to the low and varied lighting) I somehow managed to loose the full two hours work by pressing the wrong button in Lightroom!!

When this happens at 1am in the morning you know you've had a bad day which just got badder :-(

So the edit had to be done again... this time making sure to be more careful which buttons I pressed!

The jobs now re-done and the pics are online:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE 2016 PETIT BOT HILLCLIMB

As the seasons change and autumn approaches we look forward to the weekends when we can lock the doors, close the curtains, stoke a glowing fire and watch this years Strictly Come Dancing.



No! What this season means to me is that the live music scene gets back into it's stride after it's mini summer holiday!

Maybe you will take the lazy choice of exercising the thumb on the TV remote but I promise it is worth making the effort to search out some live entertainment.

Saturday kicked off the autumn season at the Fermain Tavern. If you missed it because your thing is more Ballroom than Band then you can see what you missed here :-)

Pics of Sugarslam & Lifejacket are online here:
SUGARSLAM - THE ALTERNATIVE TO STRICTLY COME DANCING
LIFEJACKET - ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE TO STRICTLY COME DANCING