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Due to other assignments I only made a short stop-off at the Motocross track on Saturday.

I'd made the drive out to Pleinmont as I didn't want to miss the first Round of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club's 2017 Motocross Championship.

It's always interesting to get an early view of the racers as there are always a few changes in the line-up during the break.

Young riders move up Classes as they get older and stronger. New bikes are on show... will they produce the promised increase in performance?

You would be right if you told me that it is too soon to predict this years champions but I'm still going to back one young man who showed enough class on Saturday that it already seems likely he will be in the final running for the prestigious A-Group MX-2 crown.

I'm going to go on record (after just one meeting) as saying George Symons will be the young man to watch this year in the A-Group MX-2.

Make sure you pop back here at the end of the season to see if I have a proven eye for spotting talent :-)

My action pics of the Motocross are now online:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF ROUND 1 OF THE MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

Well, no surprises eh! It is the Winter Kart Series after all!

Round-2 of the 2017 Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Winter Championship at The Track started off very wet and ended just damp. Just like this photographer!

My day had actually started off at 7.30 am when I was up by the reservoir for the start of the Guernsey Triathlon Club's Reservoir Duathlon.

At that early hour things were very unpleasant for the competitors who had to endure two running sections split by a lengthy bike ride. It was the ride that really took its toll as the athletes got very cold due to the torrential rain and wind chill from the icy wind.

Taking pictures in such dreadful, dark and wet conditions meant I struggled to get any decent shots. Persistance is the only answer to that problem... combined with good waterproofs and an endless supply of dry hankerchiefs for the lenses - both camera and spectacles!!

I'll add a few pics of the Duathlon to a Gallery later.
UPDATE: DUATHLON PICS ARE NOW ONLINE HERE

Back at The Track the changeable conditions meant the racers had to adapt to the track each time they went out. This was great experience... especially for the Cadets who produced some exciting racing.

The Kart pics are now online here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF ROUND-2 OF THE WINTER KART SERIES

Footes Lane was again the scene of Guernsey FC's pain and suffering on Saturday afternoon.

The team played another match in their Ryman Football League campaign that has been short on success for a while. This time they lost 0-3 to Ramsgate.

I've listened to many fans commenting on the positive and negative effect that this higher level of competition is having on the whole local football scene.

I'm certainly the last person who should try and comment on this as I have very little knowledge on those matters.

But I will make one observation. That is that every time I photograph a Guernsey FC match I'm always impressed by the level of passionate support given to the team - win or loose. This takes the form of the usual shouting and banter towards the opposition and officials in true football crowd tradition.

However, on Saturday, at the end of the game the crowd stood to applaud both teams... maybe even the officials... as they left the pitch. This is how participation in sports should be enjoyed.

People come together to share an experience and go home entertained - if not always fulfilled! This illustrates the benefit that sport brings to a community.

Over the weekend the Footes Lane sports complex was a hive of activity with the Hockey and Rugby pitches also hosting games. Never let anyone say that there's a shortage of things to see and do in Guernsey.

My Guernsey FC v Ramsgate pics are now online:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF GUERNSEY FC v RAMSGATE

I’m not usually touched by the celebrity culture that we live in.

I’m rarely ‘star-struck’ when meeting people that spend their life in the public eye. Maybe that comes with my job as a Press photographer and Journalist where I attend many events where ‘faces’ are the centre of attention.

However, when I think back, I’ve never really been ‘star-struck’… even as a teenager when I followed David Bowie, Black Sabbath and Alice Cooper I never really thought of them as anything other than people… just like you and me.

OK, they did have a BIT MORE TALENT and MONEY and FUN than me (and probably you)... but hey, they were still just human beings!

Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to meet many famous people and I’ve rarely been star-struck by the person themselves.

So what is this Blog leading to?

Well you should now have an idea that I’d be the last person you should invite to join any sort of quiz team that requires a knowledge of celebrity. My missus has learnt (after 40 years) that it is pointless trying to have any conversation with me if it involves the lives, jobs or faces of the rich and famous! I’m not interested. I know NOTHING!

I have friends who work as Paparazzi in London and they enjoy taking the piss out of me by saying that I would starve if I did their job… they are right. If David Beckham bumped into me with Cheryl Cole on his arm I wouldn’t even notice them!!

So you understand that I’ve built up a ‘thick skin’ when in the company of celebrity… particularly in this decade when so many people that are given the label of ‘celebrity’ have no memorable talent at all!

All this commentary has been to try and explain how uninterested I am, normally, with star quality.

But occasionally I get caught out. This happens when I meet a particularly charismatic person or experience an amazing live performance.

That was the case at The Fermain Tavern on Saturday.

I had been looking forward to seeing Nessi Gomes play at her Diamonds & Demons album launch. Nessi is a Guernsey girl (with a Portuguese background). She was a familiar face on the local music scene before she took control of her ambition to make music and she started a passionate road to making that happen.

The first time I can remember seeing Nessi perform was at the Vale Earth Fair ‘Beach Life’ in 2009 (I have the pictures!). This mini festival was held in the picturesque Petit Bot valley next to the beach. Nessi played an acoustic set with a few friends and, even way back then, I remember that there were hints that Nessi had a special talent.

This talent has now blossomed and matured and Nessi Gomes revealed the result of the many years developing her own unique style and sound with her live performance at the ‘Tav launch of Diamond & Demons.

I was bowled over by the quality of her performance and yes… this old hag was more than a little star-struck! She must be something really special!

Now is the the time for you to discover Nessi Gomes. Follow her here on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nessigomesmusic/

I've edited my pics of the album launch and you can take a look at them here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE NESSI GOMES DIAMONDS & DEMONS ALBUM LAUNCH

Variety is good. It keeps things interesting.

However I don't like to stray too far from certain favorite themes... one of them is action photography, of course!

This morning the 'Action' mix included Round-3 of the Guernsey Velo Club's Mountain Bike Winter Cross Country Series sponsored by Ian Brown's Cycle. This round took place in the challenging pine forest at the Guet.

The course offered steep slippery slopes, tight bends around knarled tree trunks and longer level straights. However there were always tree roots laying in wait to throw off the riders.

The track challenged even the most experienced riders but all this didn't put off a sizable entry. I have a feeling this particular genre of cycling is going from strength to strength.

I only managed to find time for a short shoot at the MTB before I had to leave to cover the first of the Kart Club's Winter Championship at The Track.

Two things really struck me as I photographed these two events one after the other.

One was the contrast in noise levels. The Guet was a peaceful place to be - even allowing for the shouted support being given to the competitors from spectators. At the Track it was all about the sound of revving engines. That's the 'variety' I mentioned before.

The other thing that struck me was that one aspect was just the same between the events. That was the competition.

All sports have this same intrinsic element. Competitors want to be first. They want to be a winner and this wish drives everyone taking part to push their performance further every time they compete.

Oddly, this even rubs off on me. I'm actually a very competitive person. I've always managed to turn anything I've done into some form of competition. There's nothing more certain to get my competitive nature buzzing than when I see another DSLR camera lurking in the bushes :-)

Competition is usually good for us as it makes us push ourselves beyond where we were comfortable. We try and find a new level of achievement, hopefully! We're all winners then.

My pics from these two events can be viewed by following the links. Maybe they are just a little better than they would have been without the competition ;-)
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF ROUND 3 OF THE WINTER MTB SERIES
CLICK HERE TO VIEW RACE 1 OF THE WINTER KARTING CHAMPIONSHIP

Three for the price of one is never a bad deal!

If the deal offers three great bands on the bill at The Fermain Tavern I'm certain to enjoy the evening :-)

I've been catching up with a few updates again and this time three galleries have new pics of the bands on that bill...To the Woods, Lifejacket and Lord Vapour. I said they were great!

These links take you to each of the gallery updates:
CLICK TO VIEW THE NEW PICS OF TO THE WOODS
CLICK TO VIEW THE NEW PICS OF LIFEJACKET
CLICK TO VIEW THE NEW PICS OF LORD VAPOUR

My 2017 Motorsport season began last weekend with a GMC&CC Trails event.

This All-Day meeting was based around the beautiful setting of Fauxquets Valley.

I was unable to spend much time on the sections as I had other work booked but it was long enough to find out how muddy some of the tracks leading to the sections were. It was quite a surprise as Guernsey has just experienced one of the driest Decembers on record.

But somehow the mud was deep, sticky and very slippery!

Now, I'm never the most steady person when its slippery underfoot. When I'm also carrying a few grand of kit up and down the slopes trying to find the best angle I'm just one slide away from an expensive accident!

That's not mentioning how dirty the result would be!

Last Sunday there was an extra twist to my trying to keep on my feet.... and clean.

As I mentioned, my day's work consisted of photographing several other events. These were public affairs that required me to be fairly smart... definitely not covered in smelly mud.

As I made a couple of visits to the Trails between the other shoots I was swapping wellies for brogues with a practiced touch. I even managed to keep my hands clean... and more importantly the cameras, lenses and trousers.

It was worth all the effort though as I have been eager to get back to the Motorsport photography after the winter break. Looking at my calendar I'll be busy most weekends from now on so keep a look-out on this website for my regular updates.

You can view a few pics of the All-Day Trials here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF THE GM&CC ALL-DAY TRIALS

How do you get into the festive spirit?

Well if you're still of 'working age' then the chances are that part of the seasonal 'warm-up' process is to spend some time in the company of your work-mates at the office Christmas party.

Now, as we all know, these 'do's' can end up in all sorts of dramas!

Some of the stories of misbehavior circulating around the office the day after a lively party go on to become legendary. Reputations are both made and lost!

Even though we all know that we are walking a risky road by joining the revelry at the office party we all give in and let our hair down... well why not - it's just once a year ;-)

This blog is leading on to me telling you about my own ultimate office Christmas party.

When I throw a party everyone is invited ;-)

OK, maybe I'm 'bigging' up my part in organizing the TALLPICTURES.com Ultimate Office Christmas Party just a little.... OK, actually quite a lot.

In fact my own TALLPICTURES.com office party involved me sitting in a dark corner of The Cock & Bull (alone) with a pint of real ale and a packet of crisps... it can get lonely when you're the only employee :-(

However there is always an answer to any problem, if you look hard enough.

So my idea was to tag onto someone else's office party. This turned out to be an amazing plan as I joined hundreds of revelers at the OneLouder 2016 Ultimate Office Christmas Party at Beau Sejour.

These guys really know how to have fun and their choice of two of the most popular bands in the Channel Islands was perfect to party to!

Fade2Grey and King Rat & the Soul Cats had Beau Sejour rocking and the party took its place among all the legendary parties of years gone by... but this time it was for all the right reasons :-)

So I left the party with a camera-full of pics (yes I know I shouldn't work at my office party) but I couldn't miss the chance to take a few pics... even if the lighting was a struggle for a photographer to work with. Yes I'm still a moaning misery even at Christmas time!

The OneLouder party did its job getting me in the festive mood and I've just one more thing to say...

'Seasons Greetings to you all'

If you want to see how my office party went, check-out the pics here:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICS OF MY ULTIMATE OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY

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