Weekend fun

Well went to the Weston Park Game Fair on Saturday - went early and beat the ques, couldnt quite believe the price to get in but hey ho. Met lots of people I know which is always nice, got called in the BASC stand was given some great news. Steve Bickley who is the guy who taught me to shoot was diagnosed with cancer in April is now back at work and has been asking about me. This guy is amazing he has taught Jack to shoot since the age of 9, one of Gods Angels this bloke.

So back to the Game Fair. I stupidly entered the 60 bird sporting shoot, oh my it so doesnt change, full of totall plonkers who are far too serious. Took me 2 1/2 hours to go round what a ball ache. Thankfully my shooting partner Windy is more patient than I am, as ever he was Mr. Competitive. Prior to this we had a go on the 40 bird flush, never tired it, but always wanted to, so me and the man gave it a try. How funny was that? 40 birds in around 3 mins with no loaders! Needless to say we were rubbish but man what a rush....................................

Sunday saw a sunny day here so up out and on the bike still have no bloody cleats! Tried all day to get some no avail so it looks like a trip to Bridgtown, I have 10 days left to complete my training goal and cant possibly do it without this vital bit of kit lol!

Communication

Well what a bummer this week has been, lost my connection to CFF tried for a whole week to resolve the issue, managed to get with the help of Alex on there and got a new modem, problem sorted. Missed the place and guys on there. Well at least the twins will be happy now the Xbox is back up laptops connected and Iphones work, all I wanted to see CFF lol.

Well birthday boy tomorrow and Im looking forward to spending my money on some Extension tubes for macro work. The 7D will have to wait for a while. Im off to get some new cleats for the bike Saturday and the Midlands Game Fair is up 17 pounds to get in WOW! I remember when it was a fiver!

Hope I get to shoot with my mate Windy been a while since I picked up the Beretta but the good news is the hunting season is starting.

Alamy

Well today was full of surprises had an email from Alamy Stock Agency saying that my images had been accepted. Could have blown me over with a feather. Must be doing something right at last. The funny side is that iStock wanted more variety in my work. Ahem sorry iStock I will not be coming back with an answer other than FRO!

I guess the next thing is to sort out a variety of stock for Alamy. Im really looking forward to getting my head around the system they use and better used to whose who and whats what. The upshot is I guess I have to go out and shoot stock also now.

The first person to congratulate me was Dave Courtney who now lives in the States and is a pro and has an extensive portfolio, so that from him is a high accolade indeed. Thanks Dave for stopping by and all the support and help youve given me.

Monday Sit Rep!

Well sit rep from the Wolverhampton Marathon, one broken cleat left side and a lost lens cap. Not making excuses but what a pain knew something was amiss as it wasnt seating in the pedal correctly, couldnt really check until the end to see what the problem was. This will be the second set Ive had in two years! The upshot is I get to go to the Bike Shop and get them just ahead of my birthday. How funny though I clocked all the pro togs and what gear they were using for the event. Sadly it was mainly Nikon - not many white lenses on display.

Talking of which on the shopping list for my birthday is some extension tubes which will be able to give me some shots like Paul Iddon on Canon Fodder Forum. Im also thinking of getting a ST-2E to do a bit of remote flash fire. Really getting into Flash Photography now have that part pretty much covered thanks to some excellent tips I found on the above forum - thanks to Grumpy George for that.

Got to take the EOS 40D to work today to do some shots for our campaign that will appear in a national magazine in October, so thats rewarding. Shot it in a light tent that Les Black kindly gave me whose a moderator on Canon Fodder Forum, the nice thing is the manufacturer has pulled out of the UK and no images of this product exist anywhere on the worldwide web. Interesting take, who would have thought Id be doing my own product shoot?

Boys went back to school today so also did the obligatory photo shoot to send to relatives around the world and post on the forum more of a record shot really but hey it has to be done.

My friend Mark Simon takes delivery of his new Trek today - so that will be interesting to hear how he gets on with it. Ive set a new goal this month on the bike considering its my 42 year on the planet.

The end of this week marks the start of the Monaco Yacht Show. If you ever get the chance - go you will not be disappointed at all, wonderful location and a wonderful event.

Wolverhampton Marathon

Here is the first post creating a link to the Garmin Connect site - tracking both Jacks and my progress today in the Marathon.

I will be publishing some pictures taken on the Canon Fodder Website that were taken at the event later.

Details can be found here Canon Fodder Forums

First Post

Well first day of the blog and a short one too ! Just off to the Wolverhampton Marathon with Jack Sparra. Looking to do the 19kms on bike in around 1 hour 30 depending on the little mans legs.

All the gear is loaded, GPS is charged, EOS 40D has the fabulous 70 - 200 f4 lens attatched and ready to go.

The time on the bike will give me time to reflect on life and the launch of the new Canon 7D which on first release looks amazing.

Had a mail back from the RPS and really encouraged to go for the LRPS - so all is good.

Looking forward to finishing the ride and off for a steam at the gym and a nice relax in front of the PC helping out at www.canon-fodder-forums.

Will record the the time and trip on the GPS and figure how to put it up here later.