News / Blog

The weather was back 'just the way we like it' today for Round-10 of the GMC&CC Bike Trials.
This round was over the North sections and included an old seaside quarry at the northern end of L'Ancresse. This features a mix of loose stone and jagged rock. I managed to photograph many of the competitors and the pics can be viewed here:
ROUND-10 OF THE GMC&CC TRIALS

What a difference a day makes, only twenty-four hours....
Don't worry, I'm not going to sing to you!
But how come the weather in Guernsey went from dry to wet to dry again and it was the one in the middle that we had the hill climb?
So I enjoyed a soggy weekend along with the racers who turned up for a bit of slippery fun.
It is understandable, I guess, that some competitors will not bring their precious kit out in such aweful conditions. The same can be said for many photographers. Standing around in heavy rain trying to keep things dry is not nice.
However, it is also an opportunity to capture a different shot from the norm. Try it.
The low light levels help with slow shutter settings and of course the 'roosters' that the open wheeled cars throw up add some drama. It is also possible to make use of the reflections on the wet road.
The results of my discomfort are now online. If you like what you see don't forget you can click on the BUY NOW button. Your support is appreciated ;-)
VIEW THE HILL CLIMB PICTURE GALLERIES

Saturday saw the return of the Sand Racers to Vazon beach.
This was the first Sand Racing event in 2012 organised by the Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club. The weather was fine and there was a reasonable turn-out of competitors.
This year will see the Club running a major championship race meeting on the beach at Vazon when the Condor Ferries sponsored 'British Sand Ace Championship' will be held on June 23rd.
I know that a top class group of riders (sliders) and sidecar crews are signed up to compete in this prestigeous race meeting.
We are all looking forward to that day.... bring it on!
My picture galleries have been updated with pics of the first race of 2012. Take a look here:
SAND RACING AT VAZON PICTURE GALLERY

Easter in Guernsey is always packed with Sporting events. 2012 is no different.
Over the weekend I'm pointing the lenses at some of the action. Number one on the list was the first Sand Racing meeting of the year at Vazon Beach - pics will follow.
After the racing I visited the Rohais headquarters of the Guernsey Badminton Association to photograph the Ladies Doubles Final and the Mixed Doubles Final of their Annual Easter Open Tournament. These pictures are the first to be added to the Gallery. There was also the Guernsey Lions football at Footes Lane.
Tomorrow Motor Sport features high on the list with the Karting and Autocross Championships.
Easter Monday features the Hill Climb at Les Val des Terres... stay tuned for all the updates...
GUERNSEY BADMINTON ASSOCIATION EASTER OPEN TOURNAMENT

Guernsey Rugby is on a roll.
On Saturday the main pitch at Footes Lane played host to a senior game - Guernsey RFC v Sutton & Epsom RFC - and an Under 15s game - Guernsey v Aldershot and Fleet.
In both games the local sides showed why they top their respective leagues. The opposition were totally outplayed with the score-line in the game against Sutton & Epsom telling the story.... Guernsey: 90 Sutton & Epsom: 0.
The Under 15s side showed that the investments made in the Junior sections over the last few years are really begining to pay back.
Sport in Guernsey is strong and we continue to 'punch above our weight' when you consider the size of population that supports and provides for our top performers.
I have added a couple of small Galleries featuring some of the play:
VIEW THE WEEKENDS RUGBY IN GUERNSEY

Does this sound like a cracked record?
It does, doesn't it?
Well a dry and dusty track was what greeted the competitors and this photographer at yesterdays Motocross meeting in Guernsey. This was 'more of the same' as other recent mettings.
Parts of the track had been well watered before racing began which helped improve the conditions but it was always inevitable that I would return home with a 'sand tan'! The cameras didn't escape either.
It wasn't all bad though. I was able to position myself for some of the racing in places that captured the 'roosters of dust' that were being thrown into the air.
A new Gallery has been added. If you like what you see maybe you will consider pressing 'BUY NOW' beneath your favourite pic. There are various options for prints and canvases. You can even buy a digital file for Facebook.
By supporting your local photographer you will encourage me to maintain the commitment I give to local Motor Sport - end of the big sell ;-)
Pics online here: VIEW THE LATEST MOTOCROSS PICTURE GALLERY

I'm often asked by fellow photographers and clients about the 'kit' I use.
There is no doubt that for many photographers part of the enjoyment in taking a pic is the equipment they get to use. There is also no doubt that some photogs take the choice of their kit to an extreme level! They can become unreasonable, agressive and perhaps blinded in their allegiance to a favourite manufacturer.
Right at this moment there is a (sometimes heated) debate in progress about the two leading Professional brands - Nikon & Canon. Each Company has two 'top-of-the-range' bodies already available or due shortly. The Nikon D4 & D800 and the Canon EOS 5D Mark III & EOS-1DX.
I try and steer clear of this debate - I am heavily committed to the Nikon system (with a large collection of lenses, flashes etc) and don't really have a choice ;-)
  ....... but I do think that my choice of Nikon has been a good one over recent years. The D3 and D3s have been fantastic for my low light gig photography and have perhaps 'given me an edge' over the competition. Always handy, eh ;-)
The next few months will reveal if Canon have got closer in performance... the debate will continue.
  So perhaps it was inevitable (wasn't it?) that a Nikon D4 & D800 would be added to my kit! I am now in the process of getting to know them and they are VERY GOOD! I will bring a few updates on my findings during the next few weeks.
Having said all of the above, I think one of the most important pieces of kit is often overlooked by many photographers. This is their monitor. It is the interface between you and your finished work. It is where every judgement regarding colour and contast is made. However I have been amazed at some of the screens I have seen in use.
My advice to you if you are embarking on the pastime of photography is for you to allocate a decent part of your budget to a quality monitor. There are plenty of web sites offering helpful advice.
  This brings me to the real reason for this post. I have used a dual monitor set-up for many years and when one of them became difficult to calibrate I decided to buy a replacement. After looking at Eizo and NEC I decided to go with the NEC Spectraview REFERENCE 301. This is a 30" High Gamut monitor and it calibrates superbly with the X-rite i1 Display.
I am also loving the 2560 x 1600 pixels in 16:10 format which give plenty of space and an enlarged vertical compared to the more common 16:9 proportions. I highly recommend this superb monitor.
  My new desk layout is shown above... nice!
Whatever monitor you use it is normally possible to improve its colour and tone reproduction using the built-in utility or graphics card program on your system. Give it a try.
This graphic will help you judge if you have a reasonable calibration.

The Band with this indecisive name - Never Means Maybe - knew exactly what they were on stage at The Carlton Hotel for... high energy live music.
This UK based Band had been bought over to Guernsey by The Future Shock and the gig was also supported by Rock of Ages.
  Also on the bill were Teaspoonriverneck - a band that I have stated many times before is one of my favourites. So it was another great night of live music. Of course you have to be there to appreciate it! Next time maybe?
A new Gallery of pics is now online:
NEVER MEANS MAYBE PLAY AT THE CARLTON HOTEL
VIEW TEASPOONRIVERNECK GALLERY

There was no argument in the pits when competitors were asked about the weather - only about the words used to describe it!
Brilliant, fantastic, unbelievable, superb, mega.... you get the idea!
The afternoon was as good as a summer's day and the conditions bought out a nice selection of new machinery and 'winter modifications'.
Needless to say a few Class records were broken and the tone was set for the rest of the seasons racing.
Undoubtedly we will see records lowered throughout the year... if we can have more brilliant, fantastic, unbelievable, superb & mega weather, please?
I have added a new Gallery of pics featuring the first GK&MC Sprint at Vazon:
GK&MC VAZON SPRINT PICS

St Patrick's Day took the Punk & Indie road at the Thomas de la Rue on Saturday.
When you could see through the forest of Guinness hats the De la Rue played host to live music on their small stage (read corner!)
This venue is marked down as a 'black hole' when it comes to photography as the lighting is normally abysmal! But, this visit was a bit more useful with some simple stage lighting. I think this made a huge difference for the 'merry revellers'... at least those that noticed that a band was playing :-)
It also greatly improved my pics.
I was able to get along early enough to see The Black Vote and (for the first time) I saw the complete set by Lifejacket. Another two bands on my recommended list.
The Gallery has been updated here:
VIEW THE LIFEJACKET GALLERY
VIEW THE BLACK VOTE GALLERY

This Band must be near the top of the list if you sit down and try to decide which of the Bands currently playing live on the Guernsey scene will guarantee a great night out.
Sons of the Desert play Ska with Madness supplying much of the content.
So you have an idea what to expect and you wont be disappointed. Everyone is affected by this style of music and it doesn't take long for the party to begin.
I saw the guys playing at the Fermain Tavern last night - it was Greeaaaat :-0 The whole thing is repeated tonight... quick, on your bike and you might just catch 'em!
.... or you could just check-out my pics and plan on seeing them next time.
VIEW THE SONS OF THE DESERT GALLERY

There were a couple of other Motor Sport events held over last weekend and I popped along to both of them. The only similarity between the two is that they are both 'circuit racing' events.
Like I said, that is the only way they come close in their formats!
The first meeting was the latest round of the GK&MC Kart Championship at the Track. Karting is Non-contact (in theory) and races are held on a nice clean tarmac surface.
  In complete contrast, the second event was the Guernsey Autocross Club's 'Banger' racing on Chouet beach.
Down on the sands the gentle nudge of a fellow competitor is all part of the fun and when this is combined with the loose sand surface which deteriorates as more races are completed the end result is perhaps the best Motor Sport held in Guernsey for entertaining the crowds. Passengers are also allowed in the cars - if you can find one mad enough!
I love the circuit racing classes as it opens up more opportunities for a photographer - but you do have to keep both eyes open when racing cars are hurlting past you with their drivers blinded by the sand!
The Galleries have been updated with the latest action:
THE LATEST AUTOCROSS PICS
THE LATEST KARTING PICS

I've said it before, but I can't help mentioning it again.
The Motor Sport of Motocross is meant to be a winter sport in Guernsey but you would never guess it! Meeting after meeting the weather has been fantastic. Am I tempting fate by talking about it? Watch this space!
So once again I found myself in a very pleasant place on the southern cliffs of Guernsey capturing the action.
Unfortunately the day was split by other photo jobs which were indoors, I guess nothing's perfect ;-)
The Gallery has been updated with the latest Motocross pictures. Follow this link to view them: MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP 10-03-20122

I caught up with the Hevvy Bevvy Blues Band the other week when they played a couple of nights at the Doghouse.
It only took a couple of songs to remind me that the Blues are one of the 'foundations' supporting my love of music... especially when it's live!
This five piece band do exactly what it says on the tin and I really enjoyed their set. Harmonica features strongly in most of the songs and gives the band their own identity.
If you are into the Blues keep an eye open for the next gig by the Hevvy Bevvy Blues Band.
PICS OF THE HEVVY BEVVY BLUES BAND

After the disruption of a couple weekends ago when thick fog affected the arrival of visiting bands to our little Island, it was nice to have normal service return.
There were no delays for Dr Feelgood's return to the stage at The Fermain Tavern. This is a band that has seen several changes to its line-up over the decades... yes they have been around that long!
It was way back in 1989 that the band performed here with original singer Lee Brilleaux fronting it.
I often wonder how tangible it is for a band to continue using a name when a key member is no longer in the line-up? However there are many, many 'old timers' still taking to the stage with revised members.
I guess if the new line-up captures an authentic sound we can forgive them ;-)
Dr Feelgood were really tight and worked hard to entertain. They showed real class and experience when performing. A good sized crowd were in 'The Tav' and seemed to appreciate what they saw... another return visit to our Island may be called for?
A Gallery of pics is now online: DR FEELGOOD AT THE FERMAIN TAVERN

The Guernsey Motor Cycle & Car Club held their annual 2-day bike trials meeting this weekend. Sections were laid out on the south coast cliffs, some west coast beaches and on a hillside inland from Vazon bay.
The event remains really popular with visiting riders and once again had a good turn-out from France, Jersey and the UK.
On Saturday we were spoilt by the beautiful, sunny weather. It all went 'pear shaped' on Sunday morning though when heavy rain arrived. Yuck.
I was not impressed by the wet muddy conditions but I was assured by several competitors that 'it is perfect for trials'... strange bunch!
The Galleries have been updated with a selection of pics... you will note that there is a lack of pics in the torential rain... OK call me a wimp!
Follow this link to view the pics: 2-DAY BIKE TRIALS PICTURES

Today continued according to the script... with more dense fog!
One of many disrupted events this weekend was the gig featuring Jonny Lives! with The Inevitable Pinhole Burns at The Fermain Tavern.
Of course this was in my diary to photograph.
But with the cancellation I decided to put the gift of a few spare hours into a bit of Photoshop play-time.
My style of photography and development of pictures is quite restrained. I rarely follow the current trend - led by the many iPhone apps - of using filters and associated grungy treatments. Call me old fashioned if you like ;-)
The truth is that I don't often have the time to indulge.
However it is fun to occasionally add a bit more interest to an image.
The results of todays efforts have been added to the Galleries. Take a look here:
TAKE A LOOK AT A FEW MORE PHOTOSHOP POSTERS

Maintaining it's position as the venue which promotes the best original live music in the Channel Islands the Fermain Tavern promoted a double header last weekend.
I popped along on both nights - once again I had packed a couple of cameras ;-)
On Friday I actually managed to see Lifejacket play. Each previous attempt had failed as I tuned up too late. I enjoyed their set. They are now on the list for future gigs! They were followed by Dead Wing and The Crave.
Saturday I saw She Haunts the Roads and Jersey based Stan Smith.
The turnout wasn't great on either night which is a great shame when this venue is working so hard to 'keep music live'.
This weekend sees another great lineup with JONNY LIVES! from New York and THE INEVITABLE PINHOLE BURNS from London. With support from Guernseys best rock bands LAST OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE and TANTALE live at the Fermain Tav.
You get all this for £10 on the door... see you there?
The recent updates can be viewed here:
VIEW LIFEJACKET GALLERY
VIEW DEAD WING GALLERY
VIEW THE CRAVE GALLERY
VIEW SHE HAUNTS THE ROADS GALLERY
VIEW STAN SMITH GALLERY

I have just been watching the national news and one of the headline stories was highlighting the lack of rainfall in some areas of the UK.
This got me thinking about Guernsey and how long ago it is that I had to endure working with my camera kit in heavy rain. It was a good while ago!
The odd thing is that, whilst it can be pretty miserable standing out all day in torrential rain trying to protect delicate and expensive camera equipment, when I get back to the studio and edit the pics it is often that the resulting pictures feature high up my list of favourites!
Quite why this is can be argued. Perhaps the pics really are more dynamic and special... or maybe it is just that I recall the 'suffering' that went into their capture?
But I have digressed. The last weekends Motor Sport was - once again - held in unseasonalbly nice weather and standing on Guernsey's south coast cliffs taking pictures of the Motocross and Trials was a nice experience.
Of course, the alternative was to 'tick-off' one of the 'things to do around the house' that my missus has pinned to the fridge door!
I think you have worked it out why I love photography so much ;-)
The Gallery has now been updated with some new Moto-X pics. Click here if you are interested:
ANOTHER 'FAIR WEATHER' MOTOCROSS RACE

The GMC&CC held the latest round of their Bike Trials Championship over a number of sections at Petit Bot today.
I was able to pop along in the morning to the Junior section which was set-out in a small copse on the south coast cliffs. The sections used all the gradients and water features and really challenged the young competitors. Mud, mud, mud was the order of the day!
The afternoon saw the seniors out to play. Once again the water sections proved to be the most entertaining. I managed to get a bit too close to the action and got both the photo kit and my clothes splashed with the brown goo. I was definitely a lot cleaner than the riders though!
The fruits of my labour are now online... check-out the new Gallery here:
PICTURES OF THE MUDDY TRIALS AT PETIT BOT