Even though it was a cold start to the day, it soon changed to a lovely warm sunny day. However, I was hanging around the start just before they set off, so I thought, oh what the hell, let’s Nik-attack (Attack the runners with a Nikon D3 shutter clicking) before and at the time of the off. Below are a few of the shots.

Next week 20 March 2011 is the Reading Half Marathon. That should be fun.

I recently entered a photographic competition with Practical Photography Magazine and to my surprise; I won the opportunity to spend a day with award winning Professional Photographer Dom Romney.

So, on Saturday 25th September 2010 I started my day at Santa Pod Raceway at 8am with a safety briefing and quick tour around the raceway grounds with detailed explanations from Dom on how the Drag racing thing works including fuel mixtures, times, speeds, records, cars to look out for and a host of useful insight information to understand the approach to shooting this type of event. 

Here are a few of my photographs taken on the day. 

What a great day! Dom is a talented and unique photographer who is willing to share his photography knowledge and skills and a little more. 

 I must say, I learnt that the key ingredient for a professional photographer to be successful is to “know your shooting subject”. Further, your camera functions and what you wish to achieve with every actuation before you even press the button. Lastly, love your subject and live the passion for the perfect capture!

Dom’s website is www.domromney.com or www.modernpics.co.uk should you want to see some of his work or commission him for work.

Thanks to James Abbott from Practical Photography Magazine and the Bauer Media Group for making this opportunity a real classic experience. Till next time……….keep clicking!

The runners made there way over the South Downs and headed for Alfriston about 6 miles from the start.
At Kissing Gate Walk they crossed the bridge.Here the Men and Woman leaders at the time were caught on digital sensor.

Alfriston bridge

Alfriston bridge

The rain kept things interesting to the extent where some of the athletes wondered off course with most crossing the Alfriston bridge before I relocated.

The South African in the rain

The Dreamer

Runners kept there spirits high, with smiles! This was great as most marathons are such stiff serious affairs.

Enjoying the moment

The loyalist

No 56

Great Stuff

Alfriston can be so ......

Alfriston can be so surprising, one moment there is a car in the high street, the next 10 cars, a granny with a zimmer frame, 5 cyclists, 130 runners and then…………

Alfriston Taxi Service

Well, even the spectators get envolved with building the spirit and fun of the day.

Not Retired

Anyway, sneaked this shot of the hotel garden through the gate while heading toward my car. Thought the colours were great.

Flower power

Deans Place Hotel, Alfriston. East Sussex

If you want to see more on the Seaford Marathon then you can go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/ferdsphotography/sets/72157624781094414/
If you have the final results, please comment or if you are interested in finding out then you can go to http://www.seafordstriders.org.uk/

Steve (number 220) took part in the classic event. He set off with his swim of 1500 meters, then the bike ride of 40 km’s and finally he ran a further 10 km’s to complete the event in 3 hours 49 minutes. At times I could see Steve really struggling but he would bite on his teeth and keep going. The determination was clearly evident from his facial expressions and occasionally one could see he was in pain but he just kept on going. Here is Steve heading to the start of the swimming.

 
Here are Steve’s competitors.

Now if you are as I am, a 105 kilogram overweight lazy bastard you will appreciate that there is no way that I would even attempt to do a Triathlon and expect to even finish the swim alone, never mind the rest. Here comes Steve at way larger than me and he competes in this event and finishes it. All of it!!

This is Steve cycling the 40 kilometres after the swim and not at a snail’s pace either. He cycled 1 hour 31 minutes. That’s 2.275 minutes a kilometre.

This fellow Steve, I was wondering, what is driving this man to put himself through this pain and agony? Why is he doing it? How did he start training? What is his aim? And as time went on in the day and I would take another photo of the chap, the more it came to me, why do I need to know? Would it make any difference? And then, I thought, actually “yes” it would, because people like me need motivation and I think there are thousands like me who always look for an excuse why they can’t do things to improve their wellbeing and health.

Here Steve continues on with his bike after around 30 kilometres have been completed.
So, is there an aspiring Journalist out there who thinks they can follow up on this piece and bring us the full facts behind Steve! You know, the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN,WHY and HOW.
Steve edging his way toward the finish with his run that lasted 1hour 36 minutes over 10 kilometres.

If this guy is out there and sees this, I take my hat off to you mate, you really inspire me and those who watched you participate yesterday, keep it up, we are behind you all the way. Like Leo Buscaglia once said “Only you can make the difference” and that he meant for each one of us and now Steve is showing us the way to fitness and wellbeing to enjoy longevity!

Inspirational Steve is on Facebook as STEVE CAUDWELL -  send him your support!!

Here are a few of the other competitors in this event with more to view at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ferdsphotography/sets/ .

It was a cloudy and wet day to start with but soon turned out pleasant…….. at least…….untill the main race. Of course, it’s England, so the rain came down, but that didn’t stop us or all of the thousands in attendance.

The bikes were awesome, the action subtle but we managed to shoot a a lot of nice pics so came away quite satisfied. Here are e few of my pics from the the hundreds as a taster.

Click on the pics for a bigger picture view.

I took a few pics for the hang of it. More scared to have my camera out in all the dust than anything else. However, below are a few pics.

This is the first time I am “trying” to blog. I have very little knowledge on the subject but what the hell, I thought I may as well give it a go and see what transpires. At the tender age of 50 something, the world of blogging feels intimidating so please bare with me and should you have any advise or suggestions, I am open to them and would appreciate it. Hold my hand and show me the way forward.

On Saturday my youngest son invited me to watch a game of cricket between Brighton and Billingshurst.It was about 3 pm and bear in mind, I had to drive an hour to get there so it was a bit late to get to see the whole event. When I arrived, his team, Brighton, had there last batsman in so I missed what seemed to have been a corker bowling wicket for Billingshurst with Brighton only having made just over a 100  odd runs.

It wasn’t very long and the last man was out so after there lunch, the Billingshurst boys went in to bat and I thought, this is another opportunity to take out the 500mm glass with a 1/3rd extra skin of glass and attach that to my beloved Nikon D3. Since doing the previous weekends Asics British 10k in London for an event photography contracting company with the 70 – 200 lens, it would be nice to play with the bigger glass for a change.

Well, I will share a few of the picks below…….I think??….If it works that way?

My Son Max, the naughty one!

Billingshurst batsman

Another Billingshurst Batsman giving it stick

By 6pm, Billingshurst had managed to complete the required runs so my opportunities had dried up in less than an hour and a half. Well done to the lads from both the teams.

Brighton happy with taking another wicket

You are welcome to look at some more pictures on my Flicker site from this match and various other sporting events. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ferdsphotography/