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The weekend has seen me testing the latest addition to my kit bag in the form of the new NIKON D4S.

This recent update to the NIKON D4 only seems to offer a small selection of fairly minor tweaks. This leads us to the question 'is it worth the upgrade?'

Only time will tell. It will take a few months working in the areas that I specialise to convince me that the new purchase is justified! However I've never been disappointed with the NIKON updates so far. There are always the negative comments made on the Photography Forums by people who expect more. But I think they miss the point. Todays cameras offer amazing quality - big improvements cannot be expected with every new update.

I am happy if there are measurable improvements in the quality of capture in the genre of photography I work... namely fast moving sports, motorsport and 'live performance' photography - mostly in the low level and contrasting light that gigs & festivals offer.

Anyone who regularly pops in to read this blog should know that I am a committed NIKON user. I've never doubted that Canon (as the only serious rival producing 'full spec' professional cameras) can equal, better or improve on the equivalents in the NIKON range. But it's never bothered me which brand takes a temporary lead in the race to perfection. My own work still falls short of that 'perfect' goal so any of the cameras should serve me perfectly well :-)

What I do look for though is reliability, ease of use and the familiarity of a camera that is 'tuned into' my particular style of work. Nikon has provided these things for me over many years.

So now the big question is 'Why did I feel it was necessary to upgrade to the D4S' when I already shoot with a D4, a D3S and a D3?'

I don't have a fully justified answer to that!

One way I look at it is that I am always trying to gain a small advantage over my competitors in the industry. New technology can help with this... a little. Also, if you are a working professional photographer and you factor in the likelihood that you will upgrade your kit at some time in the future then jumping into the latest technology at the earliest opportunity makes sense, at least to me. It means that I gain that technological advantage as soon as it arrives!

The update schedule that NIKON seems to follow also works well within a business plan. The new cameras arrive at approximately two year gaps. This offers a chance to 'retire' old cameras after four years of heavy use - assuming that you always require at least two reliable bodies at any time. No Pro would consider just having a single body with no backup.

Of course, if I'm honest, maybe the real reason I have flexed the Credit Card is that I'm just a boy... and boys like new toys, right?

So far I have avoided answering the question that any NIKON follower is probably wondering. 'How good is the new NIKON D4S?'

Well, my early impression is that it is fantastic for my type of photography... but so are the D4, D3S and D3!! Early use seems to confirm that the focusing performance and low light quality are indeed a step up from the older bodies, but it is far too soon to try and quantify this.

Maybe the real answer is actually unimportant!

The fact is that any Pro grade body will more than reach the level of quality needed by almost all photographers. Maybe this whole question and answer thing is a complete waste of time? Let me know what you think.

Some of the first pics I shot with the D4S are now on-line:
VIEW THE FIRST KARTING PICS TAKEN WITH THE NIKON D4S
VIEW PICS OF NETBALL CAPTURED BY NIKON D4S AT ISO 3,200

Last Sunday I spent the afternoon at Beau Sejour photographing Netball and a superb 39-24 win by the Guernsey Panthers over Bize Jets.

Guernsey Panthers win followed Saturday evenings match which had seen Brize Jets take a win by 32-24.

The Panthers played a strong game for the second match and deserved to gain the upper hand.

Photographing the Netball appears in my diary only a few times each season but I have to say that it is great fun to capture. There are real challenges to overcome as the low light levels always seem to make it harder. The matches are usually outside under flood lights or inside the main Sports Hall at Beau Sejour.

Netball is a very fast game with the rules requiring quick passing of the ball. This leaves very little time to grab a shot and perhaps even harder to follow the action through a long lens. I find that it takes several minutes just to 'dial into' the speed of movements. I'll look forward to a return visit to the court-side and the chance to improve my sports photography skills further...

I have now added a small gallery of pics from the game:
VIEW GUERNSEY PANTHERS v BRIZE JETS NETBALL PICS

It's interesting to note that competition is something that pervades almost every aspect of our lives. Of course it can take many different forms from a friendly game of Pool with a good mate in the pub right up to the top levels of competitive sports.

But have you ever considered that competition also plays a part in many, many (even most) other areas of life beyond the obvious sporting associations.

I was reminded of this yesterday whilst photographing the Guernsey Autocross Club's Banger racing on Chouet beach. The weather conditions were horrible to the extent that I wondered why I was making the effort to take pics. It was then that it struck me what one of the aspects I enjoy about my photography is - the competitive side!

Photography probably isn't a pastime that most people see as a competitive sport but in its own way it can be just as hard-fought as any action on the track. Let me explain in a bit more detail.

Over the years that I have been working as a photographer I have spent time trying to capture the best action pictures. During this time a considerable number of other photogs have been trying to do the same thing. What we all share is a love of what we do and a personal drive to produce our best work. What drives us even more is that we obviously want to improve on the work that our fellow 'competitors' are producing!

This is a very healthy situation - everyone is a winner. Us photogs gain the benefit of a gradual improvement (hopefully) in the quality of our work and the Sports we photograph should also benefit from the general raising of the standards of the recording of their Sports.

I find the most fascinating part of all this 'competition' is the comparison that can be made between each photographers work. It never fails to amaze me how two guys can stand only feet apart whilst looking at the same scene and then capture completely different interpretations. It is great to be able to maintain a convivial relationship with other (competitors) photographers whilst sharing something that we enjoy so much. It was this aspect, whilst standing out on the exposed, windy and wet beach that made the effort worthwhile for me!

It is not my usual way to give a shout to one of my competition :-) However on this occasion I'll recommend that you do a search for Neil Harvey's Autocross pics from yesterday as they illustrate the point I have just made... variety is the spice of life, as they say!
VIEW MY PICS OF A COMPETITIVE AUTOCROSS MEETING

Well that's all of last weekends pics sorted, processed and uploaded.

What's next... oh it's another weekend! Where does the time go?

It will be a bit more of the same for me, Music and Motorsport :-)

I'm very lucky to photograph a great variety of subjects. It might not always look that way when you read this blog because most of my 'weekday' work is for private clients who don't wish to have their private lives and properties displayed for all to see on this web site. And there are a lot of pairs of eyes visiting each day with well over two million views a year!

This weeks photoshoots have included some promotional shoots, two Elevated property surveys, two major building projects (one now completed and the other as progress shots), the supply of stock pics to Agencies and Newspapers and the printing of a variety of orders. Oh, and I've finally started to deliver my Limited Edition Guernsey Hillclimb Record Book.

There is no doubt that working as a full-time photographer is quite a challenge as there are so many 'Facebook photogs' around. However if you remain flexible it can be a great way to make a living (just!). It can even help you keep up to date with the latest new kit...

A new Nikon D4S should be with me in a couple of days!

That should keep me motivated for a bit longer :-)

The latest pics are of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club Winter Kart Championship at The Track.
VIEW ROUND-2 OF THE WINTER KART CHAMPIONSHIP

If you judge things from the bands name (and how they look), you need a neck and you need a beard to be called a member of Byzanthian Neckbeard. But perhaps the most important part is that you have to be able to lay down some pretty heavy riffs...

The three guys in the band tick every box and and showcased their sound at Dazfest last weekend at The Fermain Tavern. I reckon I could do the 'beard bit' and I definitely have a neck. Shame I can't play any instrument. I'll have to stick with taking pics I think :-(

A few of my pics are now on-line:
VIEW PICS OF BYZANTHIAN NECKBEARD

When it comes to putting on the best display of Metal moves and shapes Nemesis are the undisputed Channel Island Champions! They also play a mean tune too!

The followers were out last weekend to support one of the guys rare outings. The event was 'Dazfest' at The Fermain Tavern and all profits were being added to the charity fund that Daz Carre started in aid of the Specsavers Children's Charity and the GSPCA.

Daz was behind the drum kit... he managed to find the time away from training for his 155 mile run in April when he takes part in the Marathon des Sables through the Sahara Desert.

The way I see it, this tough and crazy plan of Daz's to conquer the gruelling desert conditions just confirms the 'folk-law' that drummers are the maddest member of most bands... but good luck to him in this challenge.

I captured a few of the bands Metal moves and shapes... they didn't disappoint me :-)
VIEW PICS OF METAL MOVERS NEMESIS At DAZ FEST 2014

Patience is or virtue... or something like that!

I guess that when you ask for a bit of patience from a group of petrol heads you are expecting a lot. But that was what the Motocross riders had been asked to show after a couple of meetings were cancelled due to the terrible weather over the last few weeks.

Surely the wait was worth it though when they were rewarded by such good conditions last weekend for Round-2 of the GK&MC Motocross Championship. A huge amount of remedial work has been carried out on the track layout, surface and drainage and the results were a credit to those who put in so much of their time. Even the sun made a showing so the Guernsey cliffs were a very nice place to spend a day.

I spent several hours moving around the track looking for new angles and there is no doubt in my mind that we will see some great competition in 2014. I hope the racers thanked those who enabled such a fantastic day of their favourite sport.

My pics are now on-line here:
VIEW PICS OF ROUND-2 OF THE MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

What's your favourite colour? Mine has to be Blue...

OK, so maybe I should qualify this. I asked what was your favourite colour?

Perhaps I should ask this with a musical bias.

When I ask the question in a musical context there is only one colour that comes to mind and it has to be BLUE.

Expand that to encapsulate the whole genre of Blues music and we have my favourite place... the colour Blue.

I promise you, honestly, that I am an optimist by nature, so why the soul-full Blues touches a nerve with me is a bit of an anomaly. However the Blues will perhaps be my first choice of music when I get the invite onto Desert Island Disc's...

This takes me to the point of this Blog. You now understand that I am a Blues follower. So what a treat I had at the Fermain Tavern when I watched our very own (local) Blues man Joe Corbin supporting the very special Bill Adlard and the Blues Kings. I did what I do, I felt the Blues... oh, and I took a few pics as well to help my memories...

You can share the moment too by checking the pictures (not as good as being there, though!)
VIEW PICS OF BILL ADLARD & THE BLUES KINGS
VIEW PICS OF JOE CORBIN

A sunny Sunday afternoon in February... well it would be rude not to spend it on the beaches of Guernsey :-)

You can tell that I didn't need much persuading to get down to Chouet beach and then Port Soif and Grande Rocque. Add a bit of Motorsport to the mix and everything was just perfect!

The first stop was for the Autocross Banger racing at Chouet. This always guarantees some action and the spectators weren't disappointed. Take a look at the picture galleries...

Then I popped along the coast to photograph the GMC&CC bike Trials over rocky sections in the Castel, perfect.

Home then for a Sunday roast with a few glasses of the red stuff. I love my work :-)


Take a look at my pics here:
VIEW PICS OF THE BANGERS
VIEW PICS OF THE TRIALS

The Track in Guernsey is shared by a couple of different sports. Belgrave Wanderers Football Club call the ground their home but they share it with the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club who's track gives the venue its name.

There is always action to see from the side of the track. However the recent very wet weather has meant that the football pitch has been rendered unusable. This has left the GK&MC Kart racing as the only entertainment on offer and today saw Round-1 of the Winter Championship.

Having a tarmac surface to race on was appreciated by the racers but they still had to fit the 'wets' due to the wet areas. This was never going to dilute the action and, sure enough, there was a full morning of close action. The next meeting is on Feb 23rd so put the date in your diary and pop along to follow the action.

I have added a new Gallery of pics:
VIEW PICS OF ROUND-1 OF THE WINTER KART CHAMPIONSHIP

Whilst most photogs grabbed their cameras and headed to the coast for a bit of 'wave action' I pointed my camera at a bit of 'Autocross Action'.

I don't think I've ever seen so many pics of waves crashing over Guernsey's coastal defences! There were many spectacular shots on Facebook and if I'm honest I was tempted to add a few of mine to the pile. But in the end I left that work to the landscape specialists.

So it was to Chouet beach for me and Round 7 of the Guernsey Autocross Championship... and there was no lack of action there too :-)

A quick edit later and my alternative coastal shots are on-line. Thank goodness there is room for all types of photog!

View my new pics here:
VIEW ROUND 7 OF THE AUTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

I think it's now safe to reveal some of the Montages that were ordered for Christmas presents. Surely all the gifts have been opened by now :-)

Once again the Framed Montages proved to be the most popular choice for the big day with Canvases also making a show. Both options solve that difficult problem of 'what do you buy someone who has everything?'

I have sample Framed Montages & Canvases available for anyone who is maybe considering one. Don't forget that they make a perfect gift even when it isn't Christmas.... there's always a birthday or you could even treat yourself.

The best advice I can give you is to look at some of my previous designs. Every one is individually designed with your own choice of pics. Take a look here:
VIEW PICS OF SOME OF THE CHRISTMAS GIFT MONTAGES & CANVASES

The final update for Free Saturday at The Fermain Tavern is now online.

This was possibly just a one-off appearance for Emperor Kerosene and the guys played the music that they love and know. The heavy mob at the front seemed to like it too so maybe we will see another outing!

There was no need for a Jerry Can, you could fuel up on the dance floor. How many miles per gallon did you get?

That's enough of that I think :-) Pics can be seen here:
VIEW PICS OF EMPEROR KEROSENE

Bobby Battle fronted The Deadbeats at Free Saturday on stage at the Fermain Tavern.

He is a well known and loved character who has the charisma to hold an audiences attention.

The Deadbeats represent a lot of what I enjoy most about the live music scene. It should be fun. It should be a shared experience. And you should leave with a realisation that for a couple of hours you had forgotten any of your worldly worries... not that I have too many. But how do I sell enough pics to buy the latest kit? ha, ha ;-)

Pics are now online:
VIEW THE LATEST PICS OF THE DEADBEATS

Mark Guillou has started 2014 in much the same way as he finished 2013. Hard at it!

Mark is the busiest amongst our local promoters and sound technicians. He has a long record of supporting the new up-and-coming bands and he offers them a chance to perform with the full support of his Crew. These are usually young guys who want to learn the other skills of lighting and sound that are required to make a performance to remember.

Last Saturday saw Marks new project which was headlined as Free Saturday at the Fermain Tavern. True to form Mark had set up an impressive line-up of lighting kit and the standard was set high for all the bands who will find the corner stage of some pub venues very dark and ordinary in the future :-(

I arrived early enough to photograph three of the five bands who lined up and was very impressed by Francisco who I had not seen on their first outing. I think this band is one to look out for in 2014. They were well received by a good sized crowd.

I think that qualifies as a job well done, Mark.

Putting on my grumpy photographers hat I was much happier with the lighting at this gig.... for taking pics. Marks Crew always do a great job of presenting the best lighting show for the band and audience but I sometimes struggle when it comes to taking pics... not this time though. The lighting was great!

I can say with certainty that everyone went home after having a great night out. Big thanks to all involved :-)

I've added pics of the first band. Others will follow. Click the link to view pictures of Francisco:
VIEW PICS OF HOT NEW BAND FRANCISCO

With my time being taken up by the production of photos, canvases and montages for Christmas I have not been shooting as many events this month.

It's sometimes nice to have a little break as it is so easy to find yourself completely - and exclusively - absorbed in your photography. This can be at the expense of the rest of your life interests.

So, naturally, there haven't been as many regular posts for a couple of weeks. This is about to be rectified as all the 'Chrimbo' work is complete and I'm now going to tidy up 2013 ahead of another busy year to come.

I have been sorting through a few photoshoots that somehow missed the edit. These are being processed and will start appearing soon. Follow this Blog to be kept up-to-date.

The other massive job ahead is cataloguing a few thousand pics. How did I allow myself to get this far behind!!??

This slow process of sorting out pictures is the most boring (by far) part of being a photographer but I think it is also the most important part if you sell your work as it is vital that you can lay your hands on any picture - even from ten years ago - within three or four clicks of the mouse. I will keep reciting the above line to myself during the wee small hours whilst toiling away :-)

One of the first updates is from the Halloween gig at the Fermain Tavern wich featured Brutus Stonefist. Find them here:
HALLOWEEN PICS OF BRUTUS STONEFIST AT THE TAV

It's catch-up time again.

After a busy month fulfilling orders for Prints, Montages & Canvases it is time to catch-up with a few old photo-shoots.

Well, the first one isn't that old... that is if you don't take the band members into account ;-)

I've just updated the Spangles picture gallery featuring last weekends gig at The Fermain Tavern. There was no doubting that Christmas is just around the corner... there was more sparkle on the stage than I have on my Christmas tree!

The next update actually is from an old shoot that somehow missed the edit.

We have to go way back to June for this one. Unfortunately it wasn't 'flaming June' as the weather was dull and overcast. But that didn't stop me taking a few pics of the Guernsey Powerboat Association's Race-7.

Check all the new pics here:
PICS OF THE SPANGLES IN THEIR SPANDEX
PICS OF GUERNSEY POWERBOAT ASSOCIATION RACE-7

This is all a bit of a rushed job...

I'm stacked with orders at the moment. I thought that when I retired and left the retail trade that the 'Christmas rush' would just become a memory.

I was wrong, bah, humbug ;-)

So I have made a quick edit of the weekends pics and added a couple of picture galleries featuring the latest Autocross and Trials action.

Now where is Santa's little helper who promised to give me a hand?

Knowing my missus she's probably on the Sherry again ;-)

Take a look here:
PICS OF THE PETIT BOT TRIALS
PICS OF THE AUTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

In my previous Blog I was commenting on the difficulties that photographers face when capturing stage-lit performances.

There is often a strange incongruity with the way an audience will see stage lighting to the way a photographer will see the same scene.

The contrast and colours combined with the timing of changes will add dynamics to an audience's experience. Last weeks lighting was great - from an audience's viewpoint.

However these very same factors can really challenge the work of a photographer.

As I previously Blogged, last week at the Fermain Tavern was one of those nights which favoured the audience... There were a lot of strong, single colour fills and rapid cycles. That's OK - after all it is the audience who pay to get in and they deserve to be entertained :-)

However 'The Get Down' at the 'Tav' on Saturday favoured the 'togs a bit more. My thanks go to Lloyd Hellyeah who was pushing the buttons, you make my job so much easier ;-)

Lloyd's style is to 'layer' the lighting more. He offers a wider range of colour contrasts which enhance the 3D depth of the scene. From a photographers point of view its FANTASTIC.

I make no secret of the fact that, offered the choice, I will always take the easy option particularly if I like the results better ;-)

If you fancy taking a look at my pics of The Get Down please click on the link and see if you can observe the difference I talk about...
VIEW PICS OF THE GET DOWN

You have to be a patient sole if you are a photographer.

On so many occasions whilst pursuing the variety of photography that each of us enjoy we have to wait for the light to be 'just right'.

This is inevitable. After all, we can only record an image using the light that is present, whether this is natural or artificial.

In some situations the photographer can be in total control. This is quite a luxury but a great deal of knowledge and experience has to be amassed to make best use of this control of the light.

The other times a photographer has to go with what is given... whether it is offered by nature or man.

This is when patience is a very useful gift for a photog.

Sometimes the available light makes you feel that you will never achieve anything that is worth keeping. This was how I felt at The Fermain Tavern when I tried to capture pics of UK Band, Evarane.

It wasn't that Mark Guillou's light show was bad. Indeed for the watching audience it was fantastic! But for a photog it was about as hard as it gets. The modern use of 'pure' spectrum LED lighting, particularly when it 'floods' a stage in a single colour, can almost make me give up and go home! This form of single colour immersive lighting means it is VERY hard to create a 3D feel on a 2D printed page or screen.

This time I decided not to turn around and go home but to be patient. Over the course of Evarane's set I did capture a couple of worthwhile pics (I think)... but that was too much like hard work for one lazy photog ;-)
VIEW THE PATIENTLY CAPTURED PICS OF EVARANE