Muscle at Rockingham Motor Speedway for the British GT Championships
British GT Race Result
1.Team Parker Racing Bentley Continental GT3
2. Spirit of Race SA Ferrari 488 GTB
3. Macmillan AMR Aston Martin Vantage GT3
Muscle at Rockingham Motor Speedway for the British GT Championships
British GT Race Result
1.Team Parker Racing Bentley Continental GT3
2. Spirit of Race SA Ferrari 488 GTB
3. Macmillan AMR Aston Martin Vantage GT3
Exhilarating weekend overshadowed by tragedy
Race 1
1. Aiden Moffatt Mercedes A - Class
2. Matt Neal Honda Civic Type R
3. Rob Austin Toyota Avensis
Race 2
1. Tom Ingram Toyota Avensis
2. Rob Collard BMW 125i M Sport
3. Ashley Sutton Subaru Levorg GT
Race 3
1. Colin Tarkington BMW 125i M Sport
2. Adam Morgan Mercedes Benz A Class
3. Ashley SuttonSubaru Levorg GT
The test session for the BTCC is great, a chance to see the new cars, line up's livery ....
Festival for the eyes
2016 will be a year remembered like no other apparently, but I'm not here to talk about all that happened. More my year snapping away, how I fell out with things I loved to shoot, and found what I wanted and should be have shooting. How it happened and what happens next.
A year which gave me the chance to join the dots, work out what worked for me. How made the decisions and how I got my eyes. It started easy enough, more landscape, forests, mountains that's was the plan. Off out into the wild it was all good stuff but, I still didn't feel connected I didn't wake up thinking, YES!!! lets plan. It was more OK I don't get amped for sunsets, or such. Now I'm not saying there's a lack of engagement for that stuff but, I struggled to find narratives.
Unless it was rainy, foggy, reminded me of horror and si-fi flicks it was dare I say a chore to motivate. Heres the thing, this all sounds really dour and negative, not at all. Everything happened and with good reason I really had a blast snapping away, it just seemed earlier in 2016 it wasn't what I should have shot.
See, here's the thing I chased and tried to force myself into areas of photography that just stopped moving me or just failed to keep my mind happy. But you keep snapping away some of it sticks, lots didn't. As the months moved forward I searched high low for a clue, nothing. But then slowly it was calling me, there had to be a logical fit everybody has one right? I walked round football stadia pre game, a totally enjoyable and fun thing that you should try. Football though has left me cold over the years and i didn't feel the love from way back when I was a kid. So you scratch your head confusion, frustration, thinking where are you??! Every other Sunday watching racing cars on TV, then going out snapping more Landscape, more football but not seeing the connection that every other Sunday there was something that kept you so tied and locked in you missed the link.
And still every other Sunday I would watch cars make shapes, defy physics, watch talented brave types pushing. Slowly it hit home, not having to push itself, often seeing my mind drift to thinking shutter speed or a corner. Slowly it hit home, colours tone texture. There was a point during the 2016 F1 season where I didn't actually watch the race I spent two hours looking at corners, kerbs, the landscape from a photo making perspective. I don't remember which race it was but I remember thinking, there's a shot, there's a shot. Bang!!! that was it a natural absorption of where my eyes lay. My childhood watching, Senna, Prost, Piquet had endured to the point were it was all second nature but I had missed the link as it was maybe too obvious? Finally I had it, so with that it was off to see how I would fare. Safe to say comfort zone was fine, challenge massive hampered only by nagging doubt on whether it would work
Pre-Visualisation came easy, as I mentioned earlier i'd struggled in 2016 with pre seeing scenes due to a lack of real connection. This was different, constantly looking, thinking writing, stuff down. How do I want tell my story of motor racing? How do I see that world ? Will people feel it? Crazy but its working, crazy I didn't see it sooner, crazy that I was too into following a trend or crowd for internet likes. Now it feels like the shackles are off and with that onto 2017, time to smash that ceiling share my love of cars and motorsport
Trick is try it you never know, you don't need special passes or hook ups, think of the each trip as an editorial adventure. Picking subjects or a theme to play with help me, colours are great the endless scope of colour is nuts. Shutter speed, tricks from landscape work, ICM and long exposure all come into play. Now, now I get it everything starts back up in March until then more learning fine tuning the chase continues.
Motorsport seems to fill me with happiness whether watching cars or snapping cars. With that in mind it was off to the penultimate round of the British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone.
The sun was up to help out here's some images of the best motor racing event outside of F1. Something special about the paddock not sure what it is, maybe the frustrated driver in me, I know I'd be an ace driver.
By the end of the weekend EIGHT drivers have a shot at winning the title which culminates this weekend at Brands Hatch. One of the most inane seasons ever in the history of BTCC. Most winners most points, cracking entertainment. Maybe Liberty media missed a trick.
You can't beat being at a circuit it's all there. Good luck too the battlecats this weekend. Silverstone is dapper really is spent a fair bit of time here this year and it never ever lets you down.
good luck too Sam Tordoff, Gordon Shedden, Matt Neal, Rob Collard, Mat Jackson, Andrew Jordan, Colin Turkington, Jason Plato and the other drivers spinning wheels this weekend.
Images from amazing Passione Ferrar event at Silverstone England, a gathering if the greatest from the greatest.
Local derbies in England are revered things, every town or city has some kind of tribal mindset when comes down to football loyalties. Manchester has always had a pretty fierce divide, the two city clubs have sometimes had an inbalance in on and off field status. That's changed obliviously in recent years and it's seems we are at the zenith of the Manchester stand off.
Arguably this is now the world's biggest local derby with the histrionics, star names, the cash sloshing around and of course ego's of two clubs trying to be the best in Europe. I've heard lots over the years about the red and blue halves of Manchester's disdain for each other.
The overall vibe though here is a city dominating the landscape of football globally, the volume people knocking around gives the Staduim a feel of a stately home or national landmark. It's true for some this is a pilgrimage, just as many international voices as Salford twangs.
Even me as an Arsenal fan can see the theatre of of it. And on a day like today with the new Gods of Olympus holding court it had an extra pinch of occasion.
Anyway United lost 2-1 I don't think the significance is lost this was a huge game, Pep saunters back to the Ethihad knowing he has caused pain and is a few miles up the hill than his nemesis. Enjoy the pics, stealth mode with the Fuji x100 and Oly Mju.
Little word in the Olympus Mju that was a quid from a local car boot. Discreet is the word, it's champagne so it has no "real" camera steez about it but it's steller.
Quiet, fast this is the zoom version but that helps out extra reach. It has become my daily pick up over my x100 and is perfect for knocking around streets and games.
Overall a good insight into the battle of Manchester. I held off posting until United and City had played in Europe. Seems both works in progress are at different places United struggle, Pogba not settled Pep has. Jose already not naming but shaming. Going to be a corker this...
With the football season starting up again it was time to take a trip to Birmingham and see how the pre match vibe shaped up at St Andrews, home of Birmingham City Football Club. Blues first game was at home to Cardiff so a good start to take in the new season in the old home town. Photos at footie stadiums are great exercises in stealth and discretion, so stupid big cameras wouldn't make the grade. It was time to pull out the Nikon L35AF and the Fuji X100 as my back up, both near silent and unobtrusive making it easy to snap and move onto the next. Oh by the way this ain't a camera review there are others who can spend ages talking about buttons switches and all that stuff much better than I can, check out Hamish at http://www.35mmc.com he writes amazing reviews about the mechanics and stuff.
Stomping city streets with a discreet light box is the best thing, no qualms in snapping what's is around me or awkwardness to being seen snapping. Funnily I feel more at home street snapping like that than say at an Instameet, but I get that this type of shooting can be a big mental challenge and vey daunting. Anyway the Nikon was smarts as usual, Poundland film and fresh batteries and that was it, off to Brum in baking Brummie heat. Being a native Brum I was sure to spot a friendly face or three knocking about so yeah no surprise too see a few types off to the game. Always good to have a quick chin wag with old faces.
I will say this to anyone wanting to try out shooting around things like this, travel light don't take the big cameras and lens, you will look like a dork and stand out folk will be suspicious of your look and it won't lend to the candid nature kind of needed. Find small quiet cameras, less fancy the better, wear dark clothes, black hides the tog in the wilds of street snapping, be cheery folk like to show off and be seen. The trick to film is you have limited shots, so wander round take that step back scope out the goings-on trust me its worth it. Have a natter with folks then disappear again, into the mix find more to shoot... But do it you will love it!!! Go for a walk and snap the world that opens up in front of you. As for the game Blues drew 0-0 with Cardiff, sun stayed out though.
Summer in England means normally one thing, rain, this can be an issue for most no good for days out, no good for holidays to Cornwall for example. But it has its benefits, one being the ability to watch Formula One cars bang around a racing circuit. Luckily the Formula One family have an idea, see after the British GP weekend the teams stay around for a test, no Lewis, no Nico, no Sebor even Max but still some stellar talent to watch and the rain. A chance for folk to take in the noise and skill that pay the bills. The day I arrived the likes of Fernando Alonso and Valttrie Bottas were to bang around Silverstone in Northamptonshire's rainy muggy summer offering.
To say I love F1 is a bit of an understatement ever since watching Rene Arnoux and Michele Alboreto (what amazing names) flying around Monaco as a kid I've had the bug. Senna, Mika, Michael and now Lewis all of them daredevils, have I ever mentioned that Lewis Hamilton is the most undervalued sports star in Britain? No well he is... What these guys do is nuts good, dangerous always on a limit they know the tragic risks but but they thrive on being on the edge.
As a visual I've always been drawn to the immense speed and bonkers physics involved within motor racing and F1 is the don, the driving and technical pinnacle of the game. This is something I considered when shooting, do I want the stock image of a racing car ? or do I need to show the magic off, when you spend many weekends watching you get an idea of what story you need and want. As a tog I was interested in seeing how you could tell that story of the dynamic aspect, so armed with some rough ideas off I went hoping for rain. Along with my fandom for the sport there are the photographers who get paid to tell that story that I admire and Darren Heath tells a damn good F1 story. Not just the cars but the colour's and depth behind the circus of F1, check him out if you don't already know @F1Photographer is his twitter, his book the Art of of the Race is amazing too. I love his works as it comes from the creative school and not the long lens pixel hunter gang. With that said for the gear geeks used here were a Nikon D750 a 30 quid eBay find 24mm Sigma Super Wide, a 1989 70-210mm f4 and the nifty 50mm, no mega dollar lens here.
Rain was a key element for the day, it adds a dynamic with the cars showing full on aerodynamic wizardry so with that said i'll shut up and give you the pics. I need more of this in my life, they say shoot what you love I love F1 but F1 is like some holy grail gig hardest ticket to shoot in town... but I like a challenge and I'm aiming for more...
If you have a chance go find some cars running round a track, one for the skill on show and two its a great photo workout, planning, panning, slowing the world down with the shutter or finding a corner to zone in on. This won't be the last of me in the rain watching the cars go by... Oh and if anyone knows how to nab an F1 accreditation let this fanboy know!!!
This is the second weekend of my stroll around the midlands football landscape to scope out the ritual and routine of football. This weekend two games Wolverhampton Wanderers v Birmingham City a huge local derby and then off to near relegated Aston Villa at home to some club called Tottenham Hotspur. It was going to be interesting to see how Villa fans took to the game seeing as they have pretty much given up 28 years of top flight football. For such a football rich part of the world to have Villa relegated, and probably be playing Wolves and Birmingham next season in the Championship is not the best look.
The tools for this set of games, same as last week simple 50mm on my Nikon D750 perfect for the stealth shooter in what can be the wild and slightly unpredictable world of local football. The walk in offers the chance to take in the local surroundings, surprising how poorly I know Wolverhampton but good to have the walk in and take the visuals and sounds.
All these clubs are currently up for sale, but as yet no sugar daddy or consortium has come forward to take the responsibility of making one of these clubs relevant at the sharp end again. Strikes me as odd and sad as the potential of these clubs is beyond scope Villa European Cup winners, Blues have lived in the shadows but their support is just as big, just as loyal, and then Wolves proud big club league champions of the past. But the lies the issue these clubs and supporters are burdened with the weight of winning, less than 20 miles splits West Brom, Villa, Blues and Wolves from each other but their struggles echo around this part of the world. But that aside footie is still footie a day to get out the house hit the stadium, part of the ritual is to get togged up. So part of me kept an eye out for casuals or the keen sneaker head or just someone making an effort. Part of the routine and ritual is to be seen, terraces have always been a spot to dress well, waiting around the ground in Sunday best be it shoes, jackets or fan wear.
I've got mates who are supporters of all these clubs and the general feeling isn't of wanting to be a super power
but, longing for clubs with good stable ownership and teams that play to a standard. Birmingham City are the club I look at out of the bunch in the Midlands even though a staunch Gooner, i've a soft spot for Blues my grandad used to go down when he moved from Ireland. When my old dear and aunts were younger they would do the short walk with from Bordesley Green to St Andrews with Patrick( my grandpa). For me as a someone from the city originally this is the missing link to making the area stellar... football gives you wings a spotlight from which to shine. Look at Manchester, two giant clubs showcasing the city and wider area bringing in fans from all over the world, giving the city identity. I read that Norwich City bring in around 20% revenue toward the Norfolk tourist economy just by being in the Premier League... Can you imagine what Leicester City's bean counters are thinking currently.
Plenty of good looks going on, sneaker game very good, and the footie casuals defiantly did a job the weekend, never failed to be impressed with the efforts put in. The growth of sneaker culture was evident and the mix of more traditional terrace wear is now helped along with the sneaker fixation.
I ended up talking the guy who lived in the block pictured below, he came out and asked me why I was snapping his building wasn't upset or angry just curious as to why, so told him saw this and it looked cool showed him and he was fine. We then had a chat about how he used to always go but now finds better value in his Sky box as he was priced out of going the 100 feet across the road and how it's bittersweet to follow Wolves now.
Conscious of time and traffic it was time to head out of Wolverhampton and head to Aston for the second stroll, my expectations where of a slightly different mood to await me.
Not sure what to say here really the drive to Brum felt like an anti climax, Wolverhampton and Brum are linked by West Brom and Dudley so you never leave the urban make up... Aston Villa is deep Birmingham, a club right in the heart of the busy multicultural district of Aston, Handsworth and Prerry Barr are five minutes one way, and the leafier suburbs toward Sutton Coldfield and Great Barr five to ten in the other direction. Fact Ozzy Osborune was born in Aston in fact, the sounds that fellow Villa fans Black Sabbath made were shaped in this part of Brum that, dark bluesy score ? made right here .
Not a fan as said before but to see a club get a kicking the way Villa has, hasn't been nice at all. It reflects on the city. The drive over had me thinking where does these club go from here? Relegation has been certain for ages some say years. Will there be a hostile mood toward the owners? To gauge it I parked up at Witton Cemetery about a mile away, my grand parents are buried there so least family was close and I could give them a pre St Patrick's day hello.
The closer Villa park got the more the sense of acceptance that for them for now this is it relegation a new routine and ritual starts in August. But for now Tottenham going for the title a club the size of Villa but centuries apart, Spurs new stadium on the way for Harry Kane to own. Villa just reminders of how far the have fallen in the past six years. Martin O'Neill left in 2010 since then five managers have seen how tough a gig this is including Gérard Houllier its been a long time coming. But not here for sentiment just to see the rituals.
Similar to my club Villa fans question ownership, Arsenal seem to have a better grasp on affairs but suffer higher and more critical supporter and media attention. I've wondered what the vibe of a soon to be relegated club is... Its not great a sense of anger, apathy and resignation. But the show must go on scarf sellers doing their best, merch selling but with a differing message than to the past protest over celebration.
I have banter with Villa fans and yeah I do dig them out a fair bit but, the fans and city deserve more from their owners and players, I mean posting pics of Merc's with your bum after being bounced 6 nil by Liverpool ? not a good look. The feeling is when Villa go they will not return in a hurry and some say the club will suffer further falls before it gets better. Regardless the routine and ritual will be the same but not the same I guess.
The most complicated love affair is between self and a football club, mostly because 90% of the time you give so much and get very little back, the odd great goal or special game and that's about it . We still go though still do the ritual, still do the routine. And long may that continue because football is that one thing we hold out hope for right? The best escapism is saved for football.
So, just as I was ready to post this blog news broke that Tom Fox the CEO of Aston Villa had resigned this week, the news was greeted sarcastically by most seeing as Tom took over one million pounds home in wages last year... I'm sure he tried he best but that's a lot of cash to take home each month to ultimately fail the supporters and not have to deal with the painful last months of Aston Villa's Premiership shelf life.
A set of images to show the weekend faces and views of the national game here in the UK. Something different than trees, landscapes. Over the next few months I will be taking in the visuals of Midlands football prior to kick off seeing the faces and scenes that become rituals and routine for thousands.
Known fact I love football! and thought it would be good to see how the weekend ritual is played. Here are the results. The faces and environment the, rituals of the game that seem to be everywhere during match day. It's the great leveler football, match day showing full support to your club is important. It was West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United this day. West Brom are situated between Smethwick, Handsworth and the town of West Bromwich is annexed to Birmingham so a real multicultural club, and it has big support in those districts. Next season they will be the only representatives of top flight football in this part of the world, Aston Villa, Birmingham City and another lost soul Wolverhampton Wanders are all probably in the league below next season, all clubs are up for sale but the fans still turn up for the routine and rituals of match day. As for United we pretty much know about them. The United away fans had their casuals game sorted by the look some of the best dressed support in the country.
Having spent a fair bit of time in the land filled with hills and mountains it felt good to go stealth for a bit. Nothing more than gloves the Nikon D750 and a 50mm lens, ISO was cranked up so no worry with bad light getting in the way. Great places football grounds in the UK, the weekend or midweek ritual of thousands hoping or expecting their team to does the job. I want to see was the pre-match routines and rituals of folk who love football. Quite an appropriate game to scope out too, West Bromwich Albion against the stuttering giants Manchester United. Both clubs with rich history West Brom pioneered giving black players a platform to play, Cyril Regis, Laurie Cunningham and Remi Moses stole the show back in the day and Bryan Robson left West Brom for United for a record fee of a hefty 1.5 million pounds not to mention "Big" Ron Atkinson managed both clubs.
Food at football has a smell and you know folk have their preferred stalls, programme sellers pitch up in their normal spot and the scarf sellers set up like bosses to get that wrap sold. Its still fascinates me theatre of football before kick off, and with a new global following i'm not sure the wider world sees this so its good to get that out there show its not all Jim White, glitter and glitz.
There is massive buzz around the game for both, WBA needing to ensure survival and United trying to recapture some of that allure lost since Sir Alex walked. From there I strolled, not having any affiliation to either club it was cool just to feel and see the day build. As it was United there was an extra crackle not because they are any cop, but they where there for the taking and yup they kept up their dreadful season they losing 1-0. A week for baggies fans to live off and be happy for as they ensured another season in the top flight. Looking forward to hitting more Midlands football establishments to snap more scenes and celebrate routine and ritual.
Shot on Nikon D750 x 1989 50mm 1.8, Adobe Lightroom for edit.
These is a song currently "Real Friends" from man of the moment Kanye West, the great divider, some folk really don't like Yeezy I do, but the song is apt for this blog. See I took a trip with a friend and fellow photog Rich Jones to Brecon Beacon's National Park in central Wales.
Rich was one of the first faces I met ten years ago when I worked for a large fruit based tech giant since then we have stayed in touch he has travelled far. It struck me we never shoot together so we did, a trip to Wales and that mighty national park in Brecon. As a shooter it's always about the learn, yeah sneakers, yeah buildings, yeah portrait... but the outdoor thing, is a thing of love to snap.
Since leaving the hood of Birmingham a few years back rural vistas have taken hold and replaced the outdoor theatre of the cityscape. Trying not to get caught into the "I only shoot..." or the general snobbery seems limiting to me and from a standpoint I want to tell stories from every vista. So of we went jumped in the Golf, Rich is good company. I tend to try and not get too overloaded but seem to take my D750, tripod bag expecting light magic. Oh I also try and steer from camera chatter rather see the image than talk the gubbins used but a D750 with a 50mm, 24mm and classic 70-210 mm.
Before you know it Worcestershire is replaced by Wales, both of us putting the world to rights one of the good guys RJ and makes dull trips fly by. This is my second trip in as may weeks to the National Park at Brecon. The first time snow, a fair amount this time nothing, but I really didn't matter there's so much to absorb. The mountains contain the highest peaks in southern Britain they also have cool ass names too, Pen y Fan, Cribyn, Corn Du rising over 3,000 feet. The British Army have used Brecon's land for serious training for yonks and we did see a steady stream of camo' running wild. The weather is notorious here one minute sunny, next wet, windy, unpredictable as anything. Keeping the wet and cold out was easy Rab Latok in red ( if I get lost I can be found) Comme x PLAY hoodie and the best Nike SB in ages from PolerStuff warm dry goodness, my go to boots for grim weather, anyway that said a day is not enough to scope this place out.
Taking the lazy option we parked at Storey Arms car park and took a slow fat boy ascent up from there, it s a good slog even for an unfit oaf like me.. At the top though worth it the park is 1,344 km² and looks it even if I did say to Rich it didn't look that big, it did. Looking across there is so much to want to capture good job my D750 is a greedy sort. Ive never subscribed to the "I only shoot" crew because when you hit a spot like this the options become endless and why limit yourself with a snooty steez.
The factors are, shape, colour's but, I'm also driven by songs, even lines from songs can get my eye to see something. Rich is a motivator too, he knows how to make you see sense and focus on the magic of clicking. Problem was the light not the best at all so you think how can I make it work ? I went long with some long exposure content, handheld and more traditional with a tripod see what happens hey.
Once this homeboy's sea legs kicked in I was happy to stay forever... Sea legs though? silly considering I've ridden down mountains on those snowboards for yonks but yeah seriously that good. Take a step back and be thankful. Rich was impressed too claiming this place as good as anything and he loves the Lake District, thats the other spot I need to hit.
As the light died we headed down toward the car and in my head all I'm hearing Ultralight Beam again by Kanye, and we then hit a waterfall and everything fit Kelly Price in my ear. Nikon, ND, Tripod and GO! "We on an ultralight beam" again the inspirations can't and don't just come from holding a black box and talking glass and pixel envy.
Go to Wales that's all!!! see this place feel inspired but also understand the value of real friends they make it a lot easier. Peace.
I have said it before apart from New York, this is the best city in the world. This was the first time I have had the chance to take the xt1 for a whirl overseas so here's some pics with that camera in that city.
This city never gets boring, give me Chocomel and some sunshine and I'm set. Exploring, hearing languages from all over the world, Amsterdam is beyond cosmopolitan full of street smarts. Even as someone who visits often I still find new things to see and snap.
This classic BMW 2500 sat cool as ice in the city and the xt1 loved it's colour and steez.
below is some low light magic, the xt1 has a good feel for high ISO.
how did the xt1 get do? Proper . simple as, everything is stepped up from the xpro1. I never not wanted to have the camera with me. When I had a DSLR I would get weary of carrying that lump, even the xpro for some reason did the same thing. this is different plus the addition of the wifi transfer was slick for me. shoot export edit in VSCO upload and go again. I enjoy this camera a lot, I really do it has even more stealth quality over my old Fuji great for trekking though the urban. I have had chats about people ditching Fuji for Sony full frame yaaawwwwwrn it's a boring debate for me. I don't see it for one reason the glass, if Sony ever came close to this glass then maybe but they don't so why change? You can have all the full frame sensors you want if the glass sucks game over.
So there it is some images wth the xt1 in Amsterdam. Well done Fuji still killing it ...
So, recently I made the upgrade from my loved Fuji X-Pro1, my mind told me the jump from the X-Pro to X-T1 wouldn't be that big... wrong it is. So with that in mind I was curious to see how the low light would work in the real world. Luckily I found the right event to see its game. Slum Village making a stop in Birmingham at the Hare and Hounds to show love and play a bit. If not aware Slum Village have been around for 15 years and are hip hop gold from Detroit founded by the late great J Dilla they have a mainstay. On hand to support old friends and cohorts A Few Good Men who I don't think I had seen for 10 years!!!
"you heard Tribe have split up?!" I still remember who and when told me my favourite group of all time had split up, A Tribe Called Quest had gone no more... rows, bust up's and time had done for them what had happened to many great groups. The void was there and big, hip hop was changing more glam more glitz. Tribe filled the void along with De La Soul but what next who and from where? the answer came from within, see Tribe had been using the studio skills of a guy from Detroit. The late and great J Dilla aka Jay Dee he was key to the last Tribe Called Quest albums but beyond he had produced for Common, Busta Rhymes even Janet Jackson, but he also had a group Slum Village containing Dilla, T-3 and Bataain and in 2000 the void was filled. They put out an album Fantastic Vol 2, in 2000 which to this day in hip hop is regarded as a classic, myth surrounds it from bootlegs to delays release. I could write so much about Slum as a fan but, those who know don't need the history and for the rest of you search the web, there are better that can tell the story than me it's worth it to find out how influential they became. For me to have a few images of a group who have two songs, Fall in Love and Thelonious in my 20 of all time and one of my most treasured albums of all time was a thing for sure.
As for the Fuji 35mm 1.4 standard issue glass, ISO up, up, up too 2500 no higher than 2.8 on the aperture and away we go. No you will never get the cleanest image but workable and fitting of environment. Thoughts it's light years on the X-Pro1 speed is one big difference faster more consistent. Big notice was in the EVF this new X-T1 kills the old camera hands down serious detail under these condtions. Now, the depths of Kings Heath Birmingham at 1.30am isn't the best place to try and edit upload and deliver, but the Fuji APP works a treat. Shoot, export via the network set up between iPhone and Camera and an edit in VSCOCAM and its good to go. Slum came went ,I caught up with old friends reminisced about the old and new. The Fuji delivered big time and for that I'm happy.
www.fujiflim.com
http://www.slumvillage.com
Over the weekend I was able to visit a pretty cool event hosted by Morgan Cars, for owners and lovers of all the British sports car maker has to offer. The venue Shelsley Walsh, one of the oldest motorsport venues in the world hidden nestled the Worcestershire countryside. The course a steep hill climb is a real test huge inclines, rising 328 feet over 1000 yards with 16 degree inclines its nuts steep, so raw power needed indeed. Morgan Cars have been hand building sports cars since 1905. Based a few miles away in Malvern skilled craftsmen caring build some of the best handling cars that are loved by owners and fans, not just in the UK but globally. Thrill on the Hill is the event which brings them all together. Cars of all ages are then given licence to fire up the run, pretty cool stuff seeing these cars running in their natural habitat.
This also gave me a chance to tryout my latest workhorse, the Fuji X-T1 a replacement for my much loved X-Pro1. I wasn't really looking to move up but some of the features sold me, Wi Fi, a faster focus system, EVF viewfinder and a tilting screen just a few nice touches. Along for the ride, a 35mm 1.4 and the solid 55-200mm. First thoughts after a week really are positive, things which started to irritate me have been removed by the X-T1, faster OS, the smaller body is good I was concerned that it might be two small but its slick as in the hand. One thing that niggled on the X-Pro was the viewfinder, it was good but never really spot on the optical finder bugged me and over time the electronic viewfinder rendered it redundant. Speed is improved ten fold, but that EVF viewfinder thing is another level. Files out of the camera really shine, images here were edited from a mix of VSCO on the iPhone and via the VSCO plugin in Lightroom, but to be fair not much was needed with the standard files.
Anyway tech talk done the images are more important and the cars on show merged with the backdrop of Worcestershire gave a real sense of theatre. A real cool day good to see the guys at Morgan and kudos to them for putting on a killer show. Even got a fly by from a stunt plane, next level stuff... flying skills approved.
http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk
http://shelsley-walsh.co.uk
http://vsco.co
http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujifilm_x_t1/
So over the weekend I did my first photowalk and popped over to the NEC for the yearly Photography Show. Fujifilm organised a stroll round my old home town of Birmingham led by Matt Hart brill street shooter and one of their X--photographers looking for interesting street scenes on the way. Finally got to meet new faces saw some old ones too. Then Monday the show primarily to see prominent British Photographer Martin Parr talk about his career, there was motivation if ever you needed it. It also gave the chance to loan a 50-140mm Fuji lens for the day, such good glass it's silly! I'm sure there will be lots of words about the show but thats not here, just images of a cool few days. There was so much stuff to please the tech nut, me? I ended up with a grey card...
Worcestershire is a very cool and stunning part of the UK its also my home. It's also full of heritage, Sir Edward Elgar, Worcestershire Sauce, the civil war which started in 1642 had it's first full battle at Powick bridge between Malvern and Worcester. There is also the fact that Britain's only privately owned car company is based in the 'shire.
Morgan Cars history is long and renowned among true car enthusiasts, started in 1909 for the first part of the company's life they made three wheeled cars, from racing cars to hill climb even lorries and vans. Then in 1936 the four wheel Morgan debuted and the design has kind of stayed true. The pursuit of quality coach building and engineering is in every corner of this magic place, and the Morgan family still run the company so all of the tradition and heritage continues.
The factory is located off a residential road at the bottom of the hills that overlook Morgan, if you didn't know they were there you would miss it. Think of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory each dreamy building of which there are many, do wondrous and different things. Assembly, paint is done here, chassis building, trim and coach fitment, design every aspect is covered. You walk around kind of amazed that all this is going on right under the noses of unsuspecting passers by.
Then there are cars, cars everywhere Morgan's of every age variety, watching cars squeeze down entry's you know have been factored in within the cars design to help the process. 3 wheel "mogs",classic Morgan Super 8's and the fairly beautiful Aero 8 Supersport slide past all are in some kind of loving restoration or refit.
As you walk round there is an air of assured confidence everyone knows what they are trying to achieve, this place has some of the most talented and skilled people you will ever meet guys who have been there forty plus years or people, like Ben who have been there a mere eight but have the same dedicated manner and skills too match. These are master craftsmen pure and simple, no eurobox mentality here this is something different.
Don't be fooled though this is not an old ageing dinosaur stuck in some rose tinted past, innovation is woven into the DNA of this place you can see it in the modern chassis's being assembled or on the lines of the Aero Coupe. The tech that drives these cars is also very modern BMW 4.7 beasts are fitted to the Morgan Aeros, or 3.7 Ford engines power the classic looking Roadster's then you can have bespoke paints, coach trims. At this point, to the Kanye fans I did think of a "yeezy" inspired colour way on a couple of cars. The level of choice on every model is on Rolls levels any colour or trim can be configured within reason. Once all of those details have been decided it takes about thirty days to finally get your specced Morgan ready to go.
This company that understands the wants and needs of its established and loyal fan base but is also aware that celebrating heritage is gaining new fans and admirers across the globe. I never get bored of seeing one flying past which isn't unusual round here. I had the best time with in a real gem of a place, you could walk it for forty years and still discover things new and cool. I didn't want to leave... I may go back it really is that cool. Check out the images below of a magic place. Thanks to everyone I met for being hospitable and helpful and just generally nice. Check out the images to see more.
Morgan Motor Cars are located at
Morgan Motor Company
Pickersleigh Road
Malvern
Worcestershire
WR14 2LL
As a native of the city of Birmingham there a some things that make me proud to be a child of the town. HP Sauce, Duran Duran, UB40, and the original Mini to name a few. But there is one thing that stands above all of that, a band well, more than that an entire sound that shrouded the city then now and forever.
The story is well known, four working class lads from Birmingham who got together because there was chuff all else too do in Brum at that point in time. A real smoking sooty furnace of a place, the city was and still is a fairly hard place and for over 40 years Black Sabbath has been interwoven within that. The heavy bluesy soul that Birmingham emits is the heart of Black Sabbath even now.
The first time you hear the rain on "Black Sabbath" you know its serious stuff. The humour in Fairies Wear Boots speaks to us who didn't fit into cliques, us the outsiders. So growing up with all this, wherever I went and had the where are you from? question when the response was Birmingham I and would point out... home of Black Sabbath.
Birmingham has changed some for the better some for the worse as all the new buildings go up scrubbing out the "old" Birmingham it's important not to forget the mighty impact of bands like Sabbath. I can think of other bands from the UK who have come from similar cities and are revered too near deity status some warranted others non so, but Sabbath have never really been given that status.
Creating a genre of music should ensure that, The Beatles, Oasis, New Order can be defined by the places they came from celebrated by the cities of their birth. Sabbath have too a point but they should have been celebrated even more. Heck have you listened to the new Arctic Monkeys record? its a Sabbath album as good as it is.
The rest of the world though that was different, listen too other rock luminaries speak about them and its clear how important Sabbath are to music culture, not just metal but across the board. So with that they have gone on to become that band, the band too see an event, even now as the years march on its special. London at Hyde Park should ensure how important they are. Its like going to church, Ozzy the preacher along with Tony Iommi the riff King and Geezer Butler the heavy soul and this was a sermon.
The musicianship is still top of the class, Tony's battles with his health cannot diminish his craft and love of that craft. Geezer still plays bass like he is talking too your soul. Then there is Ozzy the poster boy if you want still able to excite folks like few can, sweary willing for madness within the crowd. The three still bounce off each other still enjoying the world they have owned forever. Bill Ward isn't there we know and thats the only downer that the four horsemen can't be together anymore, remember the drums on Sweat Leaf its an education. Current drummer Tommy Clufestos is still a staggering addition to the band though. Anyway this isn't NME and its not a review I'm too much of a fan for that.
London though this was so good, per usual the Fuji X-Pro was along for the trip, seems he loved it too snapping away stealth when it needed to be and workable when to going got a bit serious. The privilege of being able too snap a few shots of the magic from the press pit was something you can tick off on a bucket list. Fighting the Canon boys who were looking for the stock shots for the press is all good I just wanted the feel the blues of it all. The 35mm and an old 50mm canon FD where all I had so you think differently, then throw the ISO up too 800 and let the Fuji tells story.
Once the two songs where done a thankful chat to the press lady who gave me the access, you have to cherish moments like this as you may never get it again so being polite is a must. Then it was time to rejoin the group of us that had gathered up in the always slightly odd VIP area to revel in Birmingham's take over of this part of London. As days go one of those unforgettable ones, we even had fireworks and rain... Thank you to JB for the hook up, btw I finally made it. Love my Fuji, love Black Sabbath and proud to be a Brummie and as Brummies should be too, we did give the world Heavy Metal and creme eggs...
Now... please do not take these images without my permission, of which there is no permission if you do I will send out the Iron Man. non-commercial steez on these but all rights remain. So obey the rules.