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Fermain Fest 2014 was held on Saturday at The Fermain Tavern - where else?

Basically the format is music, music and more music spread over an eight hour working day :-) To expand on that a little, the music genre is pretty eclectic - in other words something for almost everyone's tastes.

This varied line-up attracts a great mix of punters who arrive to support their favourites and then hang around to enjoy other artists. I think that is what justifies the 'Fest' in Fermain Fest!

I was on site for most of the eight hours but missed a couple of acts as I had to pop out for other photog work.

I think my favourite act were The Glazzies. They had been heralded with this quote: "Influenced by 90's groups such as Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr. and Queens of the Stone Age, The Glazzies have brought back tense verses and explosive choruses." - AlternativeNation.net

I think that was encouragement enough for me to make sure I didn't miss them. I was not disappointed!

I've now added a full Gallery of pics featuring Jonny Lives!, Sugar Slam, Robert J Hunter, The Glazzies, To the Woods, Brunt, Lydia Pugh and The Doomsday Project. That's quite a full line-up, you'll agree!
VIEW PICS OF FERMAIN FEST 2014

Spring-time was out in all its glory over the weekend.

I was lucky to be able to spend a little time on the beach... and I get to call it work :-)

The weather for Round-4 of the Guernsey Autocross Championship was wonderful. Chouet beach was a great place to be and the early start didn't seem to slow down how quick lunch-time came around and the need for me to move on to the next event.

Thankfully it was more of the same as I arrived at the Trials sections (on the beach) at Fort Grey.

Again the sun was out and the beach was a very pleasant place to be. But I knew I had to work at things to capture the best action shots so after a short time I headed in-land unto Andy Benstead's land where other sections were laid out.

This was the best move for me as I was able to capture pics that were both action shots and of value to me using my 'photographic eye'. What do I mean? Well a photographer can only capture the light and action before him and the light within the small wooded area of the Trials sections was low, warm and painted by shadows. No photographer could resist it!

If you were one of the competitors riding the sections, I hope you had fun and understand how a photog looks at the scene in front of them with a different eye...

I've added the Autocross & Trials pics to my Galleries. Take a look:

VIEW PICS OF THE AUTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

VIEW PICS OF BIKE TRIALS

VIEW ROUND-4 OF THE WINTER KART CHAMPIONSHIP
There we go. Everything seems to be back to normal service :-)

So that means a few more Gallery updates.

The Guernsey Kart & Motor Club completed their Winter Kart Championship last Sunday. Pics are now on-line.

Also last weekend Elysium made one of their rare appearances at the Doghouse. There are rumours that this was one of their last gigs! If the Band breaks up that would be a real loss to our music scene as they have established themselves as masters of all things Pink Floyd. It also means that it is even more important for you to catch their next (last?) gig. You have been warned.

Click the links to look at the new Galleries:


VIEW PICS OF THE ELYSIUM GIG AT THE DOGHOUSE

Contrary to what some may be thinking, I haven't been on holiday. In fact I can't remember the last time I went on one! Perhaps the need for a holiday is reduced when every day (of work) seems a bit like fun. Lucky me!

You might have thought I was on a break if you have tried to view this web-site in the last few days... it had disappeared :-(

I won't begin to try and understand, let alone try to explain, what happened but it seems that some web 'DNS stuff' went haywire. By the way, the 'DNS stuff' was the technical term used by my professional web-site designing son. He knew he had to keep it simple if I was to understand anything.

One thing that an untimely breakdown like this does is remind me of how many viewings the Galleries have each day. The daily figure varies between 5,000 and the best ever of over 40,000!!

It also makes me feel 'wanted' (ah, sweet) because I received quite a number of e-mails from people complaining that they couldn't see their pics.

Now everything seems to be getting back to normal (hopefully) I have added a new Gallery with pics of the weekends Sprint racing at Vazon, enjoy:
VIEW THE NEW SPRINT RACING GALLERIES

We know that nothing can or will ever replace the experience that fans of Nirvana had if they were lucky enough to see the Band play live.

BUT, what we are able to do is keep the Band's music alive... and the best way is... LIVE!

Nirvazon were formed to do just that as a mark of respect and as a celebration of the great songs that Nirvana and Kurt Cobain recorded before his untimely death 20 years ago.

When such an amazing talent such as Kurt's is lost you may feel that his importance and influence passes too. How wrong that is. Saturday night at The Fermain Tavern was a perfect example of the continued influence a musician can have on a whole generation and beyond. There were many people in the audience (like me) who bought the Nirvana records when they were first issued... but there were as many young people who were only just born in 1994.

Each of us gloried in the songs knowing that many, many of our favourite artists of today carry the 'DNA' of Nirvana into today's and tomorrow's classics. What a legacy to leave behind.

These pics document a fantastic night of LIVE music which was received and appreciated by an enthusiastic crowd at the legendary 'Tav'.

Big thanks to the band, Pete 'Plumb' Bretel, James Le Huray, Tom Bradshaw and Matt Smart. You nailed it!

Special thanks also go to Lloyd Hellyeah for the superb stage lighting. A photographer is nothing without light:-)
VIEW PICS OF NIRVAZON AT THE FERMAIN TAVERN

Once again the Guernsey music scene provided too many choices of Bands and Venues this weekend.

It was a difficult choice, but somebody had to make it! Sorry to the guys & gals that I missed. Maybe next time?

So I decided to share the performances of three Bands... and the nominations were...

First up it was Thee Jenerators (with their new line-up) at The White Hart on Friday. The latest incarnation seems to have lost very little of their unique energy!

Then on Saturday I managed to catch two Bands at the Chaos Peace Tent Christmas Party at The Fermain Tavern. (I know, it's MARCH!).

It was great to see the talented Buffalo Huddleston followed by The Space Pirates of Rocquaine.

That list amounted to a varied weekend of lively entertainment. Just how I like it :-)

Pics are now on-line:
VIEW PICS OF THEE JENERATORS

VIEW PICS OF BUFFALO HUDDLESTON

VIEW PICS OF THE SPACE PIRATES OF ROCQUAINE

Possibly making a new record for brevity (when judged by the few words), this blog announces the addition of a Gallery featuring the ICG Grant Thorton Indoor Cricket Championship...
PICS OF THE GRANT THORTON INDOOR CRICKET CHAMPIONSHIP

There's no stopping the Motocross Championship now that it's on a roll!

The lost meetings due to the weather are now distant memories and the racers have enjoyed another cracking race with the track performing really well.

Today passed with the early showers rolling away leaving strong winds and each threatening cloud skirting either side of the track. Our luck has changed :-)

Combine this with no delays for 'hospital runs', like the last couple of meetings, and just about every box had a positive tick.

I've made a quick edit of my pics and they are now on-line.
VIEW THE LATEST MOTOCROSS PICS

Now nobody can ever accuse me on not getting enough variety in my life. I'm not talking about ladies by the way (my missus will be pleased to know!) :-)

No, what I am referring to is variety of music. The live kind.

If you look at my previous Blog and check-out the pics you should get the impression that the Stan Smith gig was just a bit heavy... and it was!

And then you look at this latest Blog and it is all about Motown and the sixties and a gig by the Blondettes which perhaps can only be described as 'girlie' (in comparison, that is).

I found that the Blondettes set of close harmony classics from the 60's and beyond was really enjoyable (and I'm a man!) so I can recommend them if you have a function that needs a fun and party atmosphere.

Take a look at the pics here:
VIEW PICS OF THE BLONDETTES AT THE FERMAIN TAVERN

Music lovers at The Fermain Tavern don't hold any prejudice when it comes to bands and the music they follow. Even if this arrives from Jersey!

Any inter-island rivalries are left out on the patio when the band takes to the stage. The only thing on peoples minds is to absorb the beat (heavy in this case).

So when Stan Smith took their turn on the Fermain Tavern stage the only thing that mattered was the mosh pit. And Stan Smith are masters of orchestrating that!

As a photographer you have to balance the risk of having thousands of pounds of delicate cameras and lenses knocked to the floor and being close enough to capture the best action.

I risked all and I'm relieved to say that once again the gear lives to see another gig :-)

I've added pics of Stan Smith to the Galleries:
VIEW PICS OF STAN SMITH

The viewing figures for this website topped 14,000 yesterday!

That's quite a good number, I hope you agree :-)

What makes it even better is that I had only uploaded two galleries of the weekends work. There were actually six photoshoots in total that I completed over the two days.

So that means I'm still catching up with the other jobs... so there are still more new pics to come :-)

I've just ticked another shoot off the list as the Autocross Banger racing picture gallery in now on-line.

Follow this link to check them out:
VIEW THE WEEKENDS AUTOCROSS RACING

I admit that I'm quite amazed at the interest in this web site and my work... amazed but encouraged and pleased (time for a smiley I think).

:-)

I had a late night last night. Or should I say 'early morning' as it was past midnight when I began uploading the first pics from the busy weekend. I had a couple of Press submission deadlines to complete first but once I 'put my back into it' the time flew by and I found that the GMC&CC 2-Day Trials pics were soon ready for my web galleries.

Having uploaded them I did a bit of tidying up of the days work - again time flew by and it was soon 1.45am. During this period I had Google Analytics running in the background and to my surprise the new Gallery was taking loads of hits!

It begs the question 'when do you guys actually sleep?' I know, I was also one of those insomniacs... but I was working. What was your excuse?

This is no complaint from me :-) I thank all of you for the interest. It's probably just another example of what an 'immediate world' we live in.

The Motocross racers can also now collect their 'picture fix' as I have added pics of their racing...
PICS OF THE WEEKENDS MOTOCROSS

Those were two busy days. But great fun.

Once again I now retreat to my small office having had a brilliant weekend of shooting (the photographic kind, of course). I probably won't be seen again for a few days as I work through the shots of two Gigs, Motocross racing, Autocross racing and the 'biggie' of the weekend, the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club 2-Day Trials.

It was the Trials meeting that has worn me out - and I was only following around trying to capture the best action! To do this I have been up and down cliff slopes, rock piles and and all manner of obstacles. I've lost count of how many sections I covered.

However I'm sure my bones won't be aching like the riders :-)

The quality of the Expert riders was high with some of the sections needing huge commitment. This entertained hundreds of spectators around the course.

I'll be adding picture galleries during the next few days so check-out this Blog for updates...
VIEW PICS OF THE 2-DAY TRIALS

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