We made this shit simple.

Funny really in that sometimes I feel like a fraud. Always have done, dunno why; I suppose I hate fraud's and it is something I always try not to be. The one thing I like about life if you need to talk the talk and sometimes walk the walk. I rode well today, I pushed the bike in searing heat and rode a good 45 odd miles with my riding buddy 'Ad's'.

Everything came together today. I had a sports massage over the weekend, prepped well and had a nice ride over the distance. I like to think of myself as a one way rider going south as I got the train home. Is it me or does North always seem uphill?

The funny thing about cycling is that it really is simple shit. A frame, two wheels, cranks and a chain and your energy. As bikes evolve and get lighter, you have to start to pay credit to the old legends such as Eddy Merckx who rode the Tour on Steel bikes with steel wheels etc. Crazy. But I am not Eddy, I am just me, a simple guy who is loving being back in control on the saddle, riding out the thoughts of the day and the aches and pains that come and go over a distance. Cycling reminds me of being a kid with nothing to worry about.

Arriving home, Ad's and I stopped for food at the Mud Dock cafe; Bristol, a local cycling haunt that has kept the tea cake ethic but is much bigger. I went to the loo and on the wall facing me was a huge poster of the equally loved and loathed Lance Armstrong. He once said 'it aint about the bike.' Too true - though it flipping helps. Personally, I fucking love Lance Armstrong but then I am a big kid at heart and I still want to be him. Have a look at this - 'the look' - possibly the greatest moment in cycle racing I have ever seen. Armstrong has since claimed he did not look back at Ulrich, but for me, it was the way Armstrong let the stage play out like game of chess and killed it when needed by lulling the leaders into a false frame of mind by riding with the peloton for a bulk of the stage. Awesome. Oh to ride like that and to look like that.

Jumpers for goalposts and all that....here is the route we took. Not quite route 66 but a touch of the coast never the less.

Rat bush city limits....

So day 2 of the Rat Race ventured out of the city today. It was a case of choosing locations and targets as I/we could not shoot them all, such is the speed at which the lead teams get around the course. Word has it that the first two or three in are Military and RAF which stands to reason given the visceral condition the bodies of the people running are in. You can see subtle differences in the way trained people react - things like getting in and out of a kyack etc. We decided to hit the big off where the teams depart Bristol on bikes down steps. Easy enough, but it was an overly bright day which made exposure tricky. Meeting it head on I decided to fire flash right at the riders which gives off that lovely sparkle effect. I think I was at a low ISO with 1/200th and around F/8 to combat light. Oddly, the majority decided to walk the bikes down rather than get back on the saddle and let the bike do the work for them.

We were then fortunate enough to blag a lift with photographers from www.sleepmonster.com which was cool as we knew the way and actually expedited our arrival so a win win for all as they say. Location 2 was a weir half way between Bristol and Bath. My longest lens was 200mm which was too short for the impact action on full frame so I decided to take my shoes and socks off and wade out to the middle of the weir with my camera in my back pack. Actually very refreshing, not too slippery and I got half a dozen photos which are bordering OK but overall not really working for me. I then decided to wade back over to the bank and score some 3rds photography. Again, it was easy to spot the regular boaters as they are the ones who oares are in synch and obviously not the ones going around in circles Homer Simpson style. The occasional 'x' from the oars allowed me to get a couple of nice frames in my classic symmetrical shots. Photography wise I tickled the camera up by a third of a stop, spot metered the water and bobs your uncle. I think that the colours on show here are testament to the brilliance of the Canon 5D2.

Wrong!

Right !

Wrong !

Right !

Also managed to get a nice couple of ambience shots, documenting the day.

I then found another low spot on the bank.

This almost brought me perpendicular to the rat racers.

After 'wrapping' here we moved back to the city where the rat fans were due to absail down the car park at Cabot Circus. And they did. I hated it. I seem to suffer from vertigo now and it gets worse as I get older. Looking down, my legs literally go to jelly, but I am OK looking up. So I rattled out a few frames and went down asap. For some of these I went under by at least two stops and spot metered the brightest part of the photo to give some some drama and I had a play with them in Lightroom 2 for effect. Interesting being up on the roof at Cabot Circus with a camera given that photographers of all ilk were made most unwelcome by the shopping centre management. These are nothing more than average, but I am proud of them given my wobbly leg status.....

Really pleased with the abstract nature of these shots.

So there it is Rat Race 2009; Bristol done and dusted.

I was going to enter it next year until the climbing bit came up...!!!

Rolling with the Rat Pack....

Shot this for UNiCOM today. Day 1 of 2 at the Bristol Rat Race; Urban Adventure. Basically, a serious of athletes descend into Bristol and pay for the pleasure of chasing electronic way points about the city - aggregate timing if you will. The cool thing is that the locations are given out some hour and a half before the 'race' proper and albeit in a cryptic guise. Frankly, if you are from Brizzle it is easier, but non sea fairing people really have to work hard and get about the city by hook or by crook, but by foot on the first day and by bike, rope and kyack on the second day. It is an enjoyable event to shoot, some waiting around but overall a reasonable set of images scored and more scope for the second day now that the eye is in. A three tier shoot today - start documenting the build up, some action which is few and far between and the sportraits at the end though not the finish is not a finish, more of a 'were back' scenario.

One thing I would say is that I was dying for a Nikon D3 or D700 today as the Canon missed shots that should have been on the money, but when it does nail them I take it for PQ everytime. What I need as a photographer is a camera with PQ of Canon which I love, but the stable auto focus of the Nikon range, which ironically I suppose I had when I was shooting with Mark II N cameras back in 06. More to follow. I am off to bed now with a touch of what feels like sunstroke!

Bored....

Someone mailed me the other day to say that they had not seen any new photos from me for a fortnight. So, here they are, simply just a set called Boredom. Funny what you see walking around the house looking for inspiration. Shadow and light everywhere but still boring. Have not blogged for a while as not really got a lot to say....nor have I taken any pictures of merit.

It's getting better all the time....

A few weeks back, perhaps even months I wrote that I was into my Summer diet mode after taking a break through the winter and going all hedgehog like I decided to batton down the hatches and shift some weight. So far I have lost about a stone in fat but got fitter and bigger as I am cycling loads and weight training most evenings now. Less weights, more reps, but I hope to increase the weight and get back to where I was when I was 21 years old and carting sides of beef about for a living. These two photos show the change. I think I need to loose at least another stone, but I feel so much thinner already, though massive room for improvement. The irony is that exercise is a massive boon against depression and a good work out or cycle is better than a bucket full of tablets.

This frame was shot around Xmas week -

This frame was taken around two weeks ago -

Sometimes it is nice to be training again. It has been two years since I had a big operation on my chest with a follow up operation six months later. Sometimes the pain is awful, but one has to suck it up and crack on. It is the reason I could not shoot in the cold anymore. I had my nipples taken off and put back. Had to sign a disclaimer in case they fall off.....

You could not make it up....

Ride on....

No photography today, just a nice out of town and back again bike ride that made me wish I had the camera on me. 22 miles today and then the 3 mile cycle home. A decent jaunt. This map was created by the i-phone. An awesome tool if ever there was one. I don't own one, my riding friend Ad's does and I want one, but my ropey credit means I cant have one sadly, unless I turbo sim one or pay monthly....which I cant afford. Click twice on the minus zoom sign to see the route. Oddly the times are all out but hey ho. Took about an hour odd.

View Larger Map

Simply just thanks....

This is a thanks really. A thanks to the people who have taken the time out to read my blog and post things here and on flickr. I was thinking positive thoughts about the internet earlier in the way it has allowed random people to communicate and give thanks. My gmail was inundated with thanks and compliments form people who rode the Bristol Bikefest. Likewise my contacts on the local boxing scene thanked me for the good work at the club last week. As a photographer this really motivates me and it is a good feeling. I dont shoot for that solely, but when people appreciate your efforts, it can make it all worth while.

Here I am making it worthwhile in Formula Ford World Rally car....

God I felt sick after that!

The old one two....

Sometimes I get the odd photo that encourages me to continue with my style and technique. These two pictures are, in my opinion right on the money. The subject looks great but these pictures have the Rembrandt lighting that I have been referring to in my latest blog entrants. I really, really like these and think that as photos they stand up superbly well and would look great hung big. You could almost see these as stills from the Prison Break set, such is the clever use of light on that TV show....

If you bilge (pump) it they will come....

The 2008 Kona bike fest was and probably always will be the hottest location in which I have taken photos within the UK. The 2009 Kona Bikefest will paradoxically probably end up being one of the wettest. I got onsite at about 9.15am and it was pouring down. So much so that the rolling start had been delayed by half an hour and a decision was made to shorten the 12 hour endurance race by 30 minutes. Still, as a photographer, you are there to get shots and whilst the rain is not ideal, you can prepare with water proofs and rain jackets for the kit but the idea of multiple wireless flash within the woods goes out the window. I do enjoy events like today. Several reasons but above all else it allows a decent photographer to see shots, use thirds, negative space for text drop and generally ensure that decent images are scored as you literally have 12 hours to get a photo, get some sleep, get some coffee and lust after some gorgeous bikes.

To start, I did some token long zoom on the top, used the ground level to my advantage to create some lovely photos. I like using the trail as it folds away and this allows a natural lead in/out as long as the riders adhere to the plan!

Within the woods I applied my 'if it ain't broke why fix it' ethos to pan some riders from all angles. Settings were my staple 1/80th, F/5.6 and ISO 800 up to balance the back drop. Works a treat. Due to the rain I stuck with one flash on the body but used the catch board to push the light back into the woods. Second curtain applied but not relevant at these speeds. I had a wander about today and simply just played with the camera shooting various exposure and at one point I was swinging the camera on a strap to create photos. My 20mm prime meant I could not twist zoom and was obviously 20mm was my only gambit shooting wide. I like using the red and white hazzard tape in this type of photo as it leads out, adds drama and just works in my opinion. I think it frames the course nicely.

A quick switch back sees the riders now going from my right to left - again using hazard tape to help frame it up.

As I have said before, you cannot reinvent the wheel but you can stay one step ahead of the photographer next to you. Interesting point today in that there was an 'events' photography company shooting today and when I was in a remote part of the woods, the male of the team appeared from nowhere and asked me to move out of his shot as he had an unmanned camera shooting with a trigger that activated as the riders approached on a remedial straight. No issue there and I obliged but it made me laugh when he asked who I was shooting for. Of course I advised that I was covering the event for local media which was 100% true, but I think that the question is why did he feel compelled to ask and further more is it relevant. I should have said no one and advise that I was shooting in the public domain but it is nice to remain polite despite the obvious threat some photographers get when they see someone carrying a kit bag. Heck, I am no threat to his two for £10 generic photos and I wish him all the best if thats the route his photography has taken. The idea of sitting on a stool shooting what I call donut photography does not appeal but the irony is that even today, I got multiple similar shots but that is the nature of the beast. I found one of the said events photographers sat under a scaffold bridge somewhat troll like waiting for the riders to drop into a bomb hole which caused a hazzard all day long due to the wet weather. I decided to use the natural line of the bridge and see what I could grab as they came over it. Here I made an informed decision to switch to JPEG as I realised that I would have some serious RAW processing. Tonight I have come to realise what a brilliant JPEG camera the 5D Mark II is. I also refreshed my flash batteries here as I had burnt one set up despite shooting 1/4th power.

After winding up the flash work by getting some riders trying to get out of the bomb hole, I spotted a couple of breaks in the over head canopy so let natural light do its thing. Heading back, I noted a lovely natural arch so simply spot metered the rider and brought everything down to get a gorgeous silhouette which kinda sums up the day nicely.

Look at that colour and light. Love it!

Heading back, the riders went away from me and I noted a lovely natural arch so simply spot metered the rider and brought everything down to get a gorgeous silhouette which kinda sums up the day nicely.

Good use of foliage on a job like this can add depth.

Last two frames of the day from a well soaked photographer.

Bike wise, it was evident that the Specialized bikes are the most popular out there with good reason. I saw loads today and I do like the s-works frame. There were a few Orange 5's out on the trail and that is one superb bike. Too many others to list but literally every bike going from 1990's MB to current 29" wheel rigs through to Cannondale lefties which I think look odd, just odd. Rider wise it was easy to spot the hardcore from the weekend warrior. Clothing is the first give away from afar, then body shape and form on a bike and lastly the 'shout' they often give the casual event rider advising that they are steaming up on the inside right. ALl images processed in Lightroom 2 until the 'pop'. Hopefully my photos tell the story of the day nicely. Oddly, I would say that these images look much better when viewed bigger than the 500 pixel size - the small images do not convey a sense of movement.....

Thanks for reading the blog. Comments are welcome as I don't get many/any !!!!

What goes up must CWM down....

Paul, Ed and I rode Cwmcarn today. A brilliant day out. An overcast day with 'light drizzle'. I found the first part of the ride very testing today as at Cwmcarn you simply go up, looping back on yourself on a red trail. I had very little sleep the night before and that was stupid, but hey ho thats how it goes. Coming down the Twrch trail was superb. Lighting fast trails and single track. The Zesty handled like a dream and much as the reviews state the bike seems to have a sixth sense and keeps you online when the back end moves out. Cant fault it at the moment but thinking about new pedals, a thompson stem and seat post next, but loving it as it is. Today was one of those classic bike days where on the way up you are sweating bullets but it is all worth while coming down despite the fact your arse is going in and out fifty pence shaped like a fiddlers elbow you cant keep the massive smile of the face. Just brilliant.

In the words of some emo kid somewhere 'Gnarly as fuck man.....'

Bob, weave and painting with light.

Had a great session at the gym today shooting boxing for Garry Cave at the NSC boxing club. First up, some action. All action and corner images shot on a Canon 50D body with 50mm or 85mm lenses being used. ISO 2000.

I love boxing as a sport to shoot, a touch visceral and tricky lighting, but I simply like using the corners to maximise my less is more ethos to sports photography. As ever, my inspiration comes from the great Eamonn Mcabe and shooting in the corner gives you the chance to see, feel and capture the fear as well as the eye of the tiger from the coaching staff.

Onto the portrait work which was set up away from the gym, note that I have been reading the history of Rembrandt, the dutch artist who has really inspired my use of shadow and light. What is interesting to me is that I believe now that Rembrandt was one of the fore fathers of photography, yet of course he was restrcited by the technology available which he used to stunning effect. I also think that as an artist he continually evolved and went through periods in painting, much like a photographer does now and realistically, I think that photography harks back to the classic's period when the golden mean and later the rule of thirds was being used to great effect. I went for a simple hollywood lighting effect, sculpted via one flash in ittl mode, bounced into a silver brolly to bring out the detail and create a lovely catch light in the eyes. The shots were taken after each fight which adds drama I think. Here I used a Canon 5D Mark II and the 70-200. I went for 1/200th, F/5.6 and ISO 400. I tend to use ISO 400 as my base ISO for portrait as I think it gives me more latitude in post processing as I can push both the shadow and hightlights either way. On a first pass these pix seem to lack some snap, but as ever when I have the time, I will ready images for print via Lightroom 2. The backdrop is a black calumet train which is ideal for these images as it absorbs the excess light without me needing to stop the lens down to get rid of the light.

So, there we have another set of photographers to ponder. Exhibition standard, not really, but a nice haul never the less. The 50D is a superb camera to boot and an ideal back up to the 5D Mark II thats for sure. The first two portraits shown below are my favourites of the day. Enjoy.