GB figure skaters in team event at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics

Britain's figure skaters have earned a place in a new-look team event at the Sochi Winter Olympics in February. The team event, appearing at the Games for the first time, sees six skaters - ice dance and pairs couples, plus a man and a woman - compete with their points combined for an overall team score.

Likely names to be included in the squad are:  National champion Matthew Parris, Penny Coomes and Nick Buckland (ice dance), Stacey Kemp and David King (pairs) and Jenna McCorkell (pictured above) in the women's event.

See more photos from the 2013 British Figure Skating Championships at:
http://www.peverilphoto.com/section665568_540748.html

Tom Daley - one of the nicest people you will ever meet

Tom Daley is one of the most high-profile athletes in the UK, particularly since his bronze medal at London 2012. 

There was a lovely story recently that the French course at Edinburgh University had filled up in record time  with 18 year old girls this year as it was rumoured that he was going there to study French.  This, despite the fact that he was on a gap year and had taken Spanish, not French, at A level.  Obviously a good marketing ploy by someone at Edinburgh!

When I briefly met him at the 2012 UK Diving Championships, he was setting up some music on his phone to chill out to while waiting for his dive.  He took out his earphones, put his phone away and gave me his full attention as an individual.  He is one of the nicest (and talented) people you will ever meet.  He will be in the news today and I hope that he will be supported in his new relationship.  He has found a place where he is happy and I for one wish him all the best.
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Going to the Commonwealth Games!

A happy start to the week as I have been told that I have been accredited as a photographer at the Commonwealth Games next year in Glasgow!  The English Table Tennis Association were kind enough to support my application which means that I will be able to take my camera into the Scotstoun Sports Centre next July and cover some of the tabel tennis matches for them.

There is now a lot of paperwork to sift through and get checked and sent off - worst bit will be getting a mugshot done for the photo pass.....

BBC Sports Personality 2013 shortlist

Ten contenders have been shortlisted for next month's 60th BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

Athletes Mo Farah, Christine Ohuruogu and Hannah Cockroft are included along with tennis star Andy Murray and cyclist Chris Froome.

Golfer Justin Rose, sailor Sir Ben Ainslie, jockey AP McCoy, cricketer Ian Bell and rugby union player Leigh Halfpenny also make the list. 

In addition to the main prize, there will also be seven other awards:

• Team of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Overseas Sports Personality of the Year
• Young Sports Personality of the Year
• Sports Personality of the Year Diamond Award
• Helen Rollason Award
• Sports Unsung Hero

A victory for the little guys (man bites dog)

Photographers have won a landmark legal victory after a US federal jury awarded $1.2m to Haitian freelance photojournalist Daniel Morel. The US case is the first to define who owns photographs posted on Twitter.  A New York jury decisively backed Daniel Morel in a copyright case against photo agency Getty and news agency AFP, after the latter claimed a right to use Morel's photographs of the 2010 Haiti disaster.

The size of the compensation is impressive (it represents several decades of work for the average freelancer), but much more significant is the fact that the legal system has slapped down Getty/AFP for their grabbing practices. If the case had been one of the big boys against someone who had used their content without paying then they would have clamped down hard from the minute they found out (they even tried to sue the photographer for "commercial disparagement").
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This is a victory for the little guy, showing to the world that online content, despite the best endeavours of  corporations to strip metadata, is still copyright to the original owner.

I would expect Getty/AFP to appeal as otherwise the ruling makes a defence of a similar nature more difficult in the future.  Which is a shame as it will deprive Daniel Morel of much of his compensation (just how much of it will be swallowed up in legal fees) when they should be man enough to hold their hands up and admit their mistakes.

A very good reason to get out the party hats and raise a glass to Daniel Morel!

Innovative learning spaces from around the world – in pictures

Woo hoo!  The Guardian are running a feature on innovative learning spaces around the world and have chosen my picture of the new library at High Storrs to illustrate this:

While I await further fame and fortune, the full story can be found at: The Guardian

Hewlett Packard - kiss of death?

As the headline sponsor for a team often thought as one of the 'BIG SIX' in recent years, Hewlett Packard must have thought they were on to a good thing to have their logo splashed across the chests of a premiership football team.

Based on the performance at the Etihad Stadium yesterday, perhaps Hewlett Packard should be looking for more of an 'in-form' team.  Accrington Stanley anybody?  (Or is it that the mighty Spurs need someone with a lucky touch.....?)

Rebecca Adlington breaks the code of silence....

Shock!  Horror!

4-times Olympic medallist Rebecca Adlington admits on TV what everyone has thought for years - swimmers pee in the pool!

In other news - Pope admits he is a Catholic!  And in a special episode tonight we report on bears in the woods!

In the jungle with Rebecca Adlington???

Rebecca Adlington is rumoured to be heading to Australia to be in the jungle with Ant & Dec.  Bet she'll be good at the swimming events!

Bonfire Night in Wakefield

Each year, Wakefield Council hosts a free bonfire and fireworks event in Thorne's Park, attracting 10-12,000 people.

I had planned the event to try to capture the fireworks as best as I could (ISO 100, 4 second exposure, F9, tripod, remote release etc etc) but was hit by the driving rain that sloshed into the lens that was tilited up into the sky.  It really was lashing it down at times and most of the photos are 'artistic smudges' of blurry streaks.  It cleared for long enough to get a few bursts over the Wakefield skyline, nice enough to process and post.

Angel Of The North

An iconic statue by Anthony Gormley, towering over the A1 as it heads through Gateshead towards Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

It is a steel sculpture of an angel, 20 metres (66 ft) tall, with wings measuring 54 metres (177 ft) across. The wings are angled forward about 3.5 degrees.

Because of the weight of the statue (around 200 tonnes) and it's shape, it has been designed to withstand winds of 100mph by being anchored to concrete that reaches 21 metres (70 ft) below it into the hillside.

Having driven past it many times over the years, we finally found time to pull up in the car park last week and spend some time enjoying it close-up.

It really is an impressive monument and fun in that you can climb all over it's feet.  The sun clawed it's way through the October cloud enough to brighten the day and give some contrast to the photographs.

British Athletics - British Indoor Championships

Was at Kelham Island today, taking photos for British Athletics (http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/media/news/2013-news-page/october-2013/24-10-13-sheffield-steeler/) to promote next year's British Athletics Indoor Championships, which will be held at the EIS, Sheffield on 8th & 9th February 2014.

In attendance was Richard Buck (https://twitter.com/rickbee400) who has had arguably his best season in 2013, winning Gold in the 4x400m relay in Gothenburg at the European Indoor Championships.

Welcome to Yorkshire.....Tour de France 2014

Things are starting to gear up now for the biggest annual sporting event in the world to hit God's own county.  The route of Le Tour 2014 is officially published on Wednesday 23rd October 2013.

Unfortunately, the riders won't be visiting the seaside at sunny Scarborough, but they will get a fabulous welcome on their way from Leeds to Harrogate and then York to Sheffield.

I hope to be there near the finishing line in Sheffield and out in the wilds somewhere windswept the day before.  Photos will be placed into a gallery at: http://www.peverilphoto.com/section665568_594926.html

For more information on 'Le Tour 2014' head over to the official 'Welcome To Yorkshire' site at: http://letour.yorkshire.com/

Kate Figes

Kate Figes, author of numerous books on parenting and relationships, was visiting High Storrs School in Sheffield as part of the 'Off The Shelf' literary festival.

The talk was given in a black-walled studio with lighting to suggest that they had run out of 50p to put in the electric meter.  However, there was a red-gelled spotlight shining on one of the walls so before the talk started I took the chance to grab a quick portrait and positioned Kate so that she was in front of the reddened wall and lit her with a dab of on-camera flash.  Not the most flattering setup in the world but there was nothing to bounce off so it had to be head-on and toned down a lot.  But technically it did come out quite nice viz focus, backdrop and not too much over-powering flash.

Kate's website is at: http://www.katefiges.co.uk/

Everly Pregnant Brothers

Performing a set in the Peace Gardens, Sheffield on Sunday 29th September 2013, after the presentations for the Great Yorkshire Run had taken place.

Many of the old favourites were heard such as their rendition of Pulp's "Common People" and newer tracks like "Pork Pie" (based on Blur's "Park Life") wowed the crowds.

A few more pictures can be found at: http://www.peverilphoto.com/gallery_591981.html

BUPA Great Yorkshire Run 2013

This hit the streets of Sheffield on Sunday 29th September 2013, running from Arundel Gate to Hillsborough and back.

Ryan McLeod (Tipton) winning the Men's Race in 29:40

Some photos from the event have been posted into a gallery at:  http://www.peverilphoto.com/section665568_591510.html

Sainsbury's School Games 2013

Mike Bushell, BBC presenter, enjoying the company of Scottish athletes at the Opening Ceremony.

A small selection of photos from this event are now available to view at: http://www.peverilphoto.com/section665568_591504.html

Stephen Lee - the verdict

Snooker player Stephen Lee, 38, of Trowbridge, Wiltshire has been banned for 12 years after being found guilty of seven match-fixing charges and has also been told to pay £40,000 costs.

 The former world number five cannot play in any game sanctioned by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA). He denied the allegations, which included a match at the World Snooker Championship in 2009, and intends to appeal.

Snooker's governing body says it is " the worst case of corruption" it has ever seen, and the longest ban imposed on a player by the organisation.  "The WPBSA has a zero tolerance approach to match fixing and this is further evidence of our uncompromising approach to dealing with such issues," said a spokesman.
The ban is calculated from 12 October 2012, when an interim suspension was imposed, and means Lee will not be able to compete as a professional snooker player before 12 October 2024, the date of his 50th birthday.

Stephen Lee - match fixing

Former world number five Stephen Lee must wait until today to discover his sentence for snooker match-fixing.  A hearing to consider punishment took place yesterday for what the sport's governing body has described as "the worst case of corruption" it has seen

Lee was found guilty of seven match-fixing charges following an independent tribunal chaired by Adam Lewis QC.

 
Stephen Lee seen at the 2012 World Championship match with Andrew Higginson.  See more at http://www.peverilphoto.com/section665568_479371.html

Sainsbury's School Games 2013

The Sainsbury's 2013 School Games is a multi-sport event that took place from 12-15 September 2013 in Sheffield.

Twelve sports were held across eight venues in the city and after 3 1/2 days I have racked up 2026 pictures on my hard-drive.

About 1,600 of the nation's finest young sports stars competed in:Fencing, Rugby Sevens, Gymnastics, Hockey, Badminton, Athletics, Cycling, Judo, Swimming, Table Tennis, Volleyball and Wheelchair Basketball.

In addition, approximately 700 coaches, support staff and volunteers gave so much to make the event a roaring success.

In a superb performance on the last day of athletics ever to be held at the Don Valley Stadium, Morgan Lake (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow) cleared 1.82m in the Women's High Jump in very blustery conditions to break Katarina Johnson-Thompson's 2008 record of 1.78m

Rebecca Adlington's Gold Medal break-in

Not nice to hear about Rebecca Adlington and coming home to find that thieves had broken in to her home and taken her swimming medals (Beijing 2008 400m & 800m golds and London 2012 400m & 800m silvers). 

She is such a nice person to speak to and give of her time, so it was a big relief to hear that they had soon been recovered.  A car and laptop can soon be replaced, precious memories of a lifetime's achievements cannot.

World Athletics 2013: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce 100m gold

Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce wins the Women's 100metres final in the World Athletics Championships in Moscow.   The 100m Olympic Champion finished well ahead of her rivals, crossing the line in 10.71 seconds. Murielle Ahoure of the Ivory Coast finished second (10.93) with 2011 world champion Carmelita Jeter a hundredth further back in third place.

Shelly-Ann-Fraser-Pryce (JAM) on her way to winning her heat of the Women's 60metres at the 2013 British Athletics Grand Prix in a personal best time of 7.19 seconds.
See more at: http://www.peverilphoto.com/section665568_553205.html

Direct Line UK Breakdown Cover - daylight robbery

I have been happily covered by Green Flag for UK vehicle breakdown for some years now but recently received a renewal reminder quoting me £327.54 for their 'Recovery Plus' option for my 9-year old Vauxhall Zafira.  This was quite a jump from last year - I know that we had had to call them out to get the battery bumped after several cold days in March this year, but that surely couldn't explain such a meteoric rise?!?!?

I called their renewal line and they (the operator and supervisor) were also surprised at the large quote.  So, as they couldn't do any price matching form their system, they cancelled my policy and I have now just renewed online for the same cover for the sum of £83.74 - an extortionate difference of £243.80!

Ever get the feeling they are just out to fleece you?  I've heard of burglars and muggers getting away with less!

Fran Halsall takes bronze at the Swimming World Championships

Well done to Fran Halsall who at the eleventh hour of the Swimming World Championships claimed a solitary bronze medal for Great Britain after taking third place in the Women's 50m Freestyle, her time of 24.30 seconds was just better than the 24.54 that she won the corresponding event at the
British Gas Swimming Championships 2013 in Sheffield:

Fran Halsall (Loughborough Uni) celebrates her time of 24.54 seconds in the final of the Women's 50M Freestyle final.

See more pictures from this event at: http://www.peverilphoto.com/section665568_579191.html

Harrison Cameras of Sheffield

...were one of the headline sponsors for the Sheffield Grand Prix cycling on 24th July and had a few gazebos to promote Canon and Sony on the night (sadly not Nikon).

Nice pic of Helen Wyman passing their stands on her way to victory in the Women's race at: http://www.harrisoncameras.co.uk/blog/post/Sheffield-Grand-Prix.aspx

Sheffield Grand Prix Cycling

Well, it was a hot summer night and there was no need to offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses.....because there was excitement a-plenty in Sheffield city centre courtesy of round eight of British Cycling's women's national road series and men's road race.

Ed Clancy MBE (Rapha Condor JLT) warming up

Hannah Barnes (MG-Maxifuel) on the start line

Helen Wyman (Kona-FSA Factory) celebrates her victory

Layla Anna Lee, presenter for Cyclevox on the night, at the start of the men's race.

A speed pursuit during the men's race

More photos can be found at: http://www.peverilphoto.com/section665568_582725.html

Bring on 'Le Tour 2014'!

The joy of being a jobsworth....

The thing that often strikes me when I am taking photos at an event is that there is sometimes one person who takes it upon themselves to dish out 'advice' on rules and regulations.  If this was done in a positive manner then no-one would really take offence by it and it would contribute to the overall success of the event.

But to be dressed up in a 'Sky'-emblazoned top and potter around telling some people that they "...can't go up on the podium as it is for sponsors only..." and then wander off and not enforce that rule does not really contribute anything at all just leads to people viewing you with disdain.

Lewis Coleman is assembling other GB swimmers and Olympians to break a world record

GB Swimmer and member of City of Sheffield swimming, Lewis Coleman is raising funds for Leukaemia Research with a World Record attempt.

 

The record attempt will take place on the 1st February 2014 at Ponds Forge, Sheffield. The challenge itself will involve a relay team of 100 different swimmers each swimming 100m so that's 4 lengths of your local pool if it's 25m. The record currently stands at 1 hour 53 mins and 13 seconds, which is an average of 67.2 seconds per swimmer, thats less than 18 seconds per length. To beat the record the team will need to average faster than 67.2, I believe that the team will be able to average faster than that.

Support this fab cause and find out more at:  http://leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk/news/celebrity

....found a shilling

On the plus side, the Sheffield Grand Prix (http://www.sheffieldgrandprix.co.uk/) comes to town again on Wednesday 24th July. The 2nd Claremont Sheffield Grand Prix will be the final round of the British Cycling Elite Circuit Race Series and will incorporate the British Cycling Womens National Road Race Series.

The evening will be full of action packed racing and provide a great nights entertainment both for the family and cycling fans. There is no charge to watch the racing unfold so prepare for a great night of elite level cycling including all the top domestic professional teams. Live commentary will start at 6.30pm and final presentations will be around 9.30pm. 

Check my site by the end of the week for some photographs of the event.

Lost a sixpence....

So, the joys of being a just a freelancer hit home again, quite hard this time.

I had applied to cover the London Anniversary Games (26th-28 July) as I have been covering athletics for a while now and hoped that I might sneak in to this event which will be one of the biggest ever athletics events in the UK.

However, over 400 other photographers also had the same idea.  So, being just a freelancer with no particular ties to an athletics publication, I probably came well down the pecking order......insert icon here for sad face.

It will be a fabulous event, I'll just have to enjoy it on the television.

HarperCollins - wanting the world, but not at a price....

I was recently intrigued to be contacted by the world-renowned publishing house that is HarperCollins. 

They were after the use of one of my local photographs for a new book publication which would be a major new history of English architecture.

The requirement specification was: "File should be 300dpi jpeg usable up to about A4 size is poss. It won't actually be used any larger than 1/4 or 1/2 page size but this gives us the potential to crop, if need be. This chapter hasn't been laid out yet so I can't confirm exact usage but the publication date is September 2013 with world all language rights, hardback and ebook editions."

Checking on what would be an appropriate price to quote for such a work (£180), I was told by them that they (one of the largest publishing house in the UK) did not have a budget for this, but could offer me a copy of the book as a 'Thank You'. 

While it might be nice to get a picture included in a book, I did not take the request any further as a book will not pay for a new lens or cover my website for another year.  I guess that it is just another example of the big boys wanting the world and not wanting to pay for it.  And yes, I will look out for the title when it comes out to see just what they did include instead.

A hot, sunny day in Pontefract, enjoying the Liquorice Festival

Well, the temperature reached about 28C, bringing out the crowds to Pontefract to enjoy the annual Liquorice Festival.  Here is a shot of the lovely Lucy Liquorice entertaining the passers-by:

Especial thanks go to St Giles (http://www.stgilesonline.org.uk/) for allowing me to climb to the top of their bell tower to get some aerial shots (and to cool down a bit in the breeze that was blowing up there).

Student Flat in Scarborough

Waiting on your 'A' level results and hoping to get on a course at 'University of Hull (Scarborough Campus)'?  While waiting, look at the accommodation available and especially the views from this flat:

The flat has two bedrooms (double and single, both with good sea views over North Bay), a kitchen and lounge/diner (both with excellent sea views over South Bay), bathroom/toilet, and entrance hall.

Available from 1st September 2013, more details can be found at the official StudentPad website: http://www.scarboroughstudentpad.co.uk/Advert/46387

BRITISH GAS SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2013

These were held at Ponds Forge from 26th-30th June 2013.  There was a large number of records (English, Welsh, Scottish as well as British and the occasional World!) broken over the 5 days and many swimmers posted times that qualified them for the World Championships coming up in Barcelona.

A selection of the best photos that I took at the event can be found at: http://www.peverilphoto.com/section665568_579191.html

Making a splash at Ponds Forge

The British Gas Swimming Championships are taking place this year at Ponds Forge in Sheffield from 26th-30th June 2013.

Despite the heat and humidity, I will be there on each of the 5 evenings for the final sessions.  By early next week I hope to have some of the best photographs in a gallery at: http://www.peverilphoto.com/section665568_579191.html

The time lag is due to the late finish, work next day, the disinclination for midnight updates etc etc - as Miranda would say "...bear with..."

The Sweet Taste Of Success

As a change from the usual weekend of photographing sporting events or family gatherings, Wakefield Council have commissioned me to photograph this year's Pontefract Liquorice Festival.

This will take place on Sunday 14th July 2013 around the centre of Pontefract and will celebrate Pontefract’s historic association with this unusual plant.

Find out more at: Wakefield Council

Why are there no mobile phone masts at Chatsworth?

Been to Chatsworth recently?  Tried to get a mobile signal there?  Anyone would think that the Duke of Devonshire had an aversion to a mobile phone mast being anywhere near the country estate.  I don't know why - there are plenty of the cancer-causing eye-sores designer towers in Sheffield - surely one would fit into the gardens near the other bits of 'modern art'?

The inspirational Karen Darke

As Karen herself says: "Luckily I've got an adventurous gene, as life in a wheelchair is full of unexpected adventure. I was a keen runner, climber and all round outdoor addict, and then at the age of 21, I fell off a cliff and became paralysed from the chest down."

 

She is an insprational speaker: http://www.karendarke.com/  and plans to reach the South Pole at some point soon: http://poleofpossibility.com/

More details at: Andy Chubb Photography

Where has Christa Ackroyd got to?

Much as we all like Nicola Rees, we are all still wondering just where in the world the lovely Christa Ackroyd has got to.  Look North is definitely a quieter place without her...

The Fantastic Mr Fox

Stretched out on the sunny patio yesterday, like an old dog enjoying the summer sunshine, was this young fox:

I reckon that mum had decided he was old enough to kick out of the den and he was sizing up some new territory in suburban Sheffield to call his own.

Well, I'm assuming it was a 'Mr' - he let me get to about 12 foot away before he decided that I wasn't that friendly enough to stick around.

Protective Lens Cap

If you bought a car and the manufacturer didn't think to give you a windscreen, just a bit of sheeting to cover you while driving, you would think yourself pretty short-changed.

Well, for some reason, camera lens manufacturers seem to think that when you spend a heck of a lot of money on a BIG lens, they can do away with giving you a lens cap.  Never mind that gorgeous front element, all you get is something like a neoprene/polypropolene(?) 'sock' to cover it with.

Well, thank goodness for Don Zeck.  He manufactures lens caps for high-end Canon and Nikon lens which can be used with out without the lens hood.

I recently got one for my 300mm f/2.8 lens and it is so good to know that there is a bit of extra protection on a piece of glass that I plan on having for the next 10 years or so.

See more at: http://www.donzecklenscap.com/

Dambusters 70th Anniversary

On the night of the 16th May 1943, 19 Lancaster bombers of 617 squadron took off to attack the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe dams.  Their actions that night have gone down in legend as 'The Dambusters'. 

On several years since then, a flypast has taken place at the Derwent Dam in Derbyshire (one of their practice sites) to salute those heroes, especially for the 53 aircrew who did not return.

I was lucky enough to have the day off to take some photos on the 70th anniversary of the raid, celebrated with a flypast by a Lancaster bomber and Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial flight, and two Tornadoes from the current 617 squadron.

A selection of photos can be found at: http://www.peverilphoto.com/gallery_572046.html

Making It - Ronnie O'Sullivan's homepage!

I managed a lofty and unique space to take some photos of Ronnie O'Sullivan coming back to the Crucible to defend his World Snooker Crown.

Ronnie's official website liked it so much that they wanted to use it on one of their reports: http://www.ronnieosullivan.tv/?p=1013

More photos from the Snooker at the Crucible at: www.peverilphoto.com

Ronnie O'Sullivan in Oils!

An artist is using one of my pictures of Ronnie O'Sullivan from the 2012 Snooker World Championship to produce a portrait painting:

I'm looking forward to seeing the ooutput in a couple of months.  Copies of all my Snooker pictures over the years are available to buy at www.peverilphoto.com

The Return Of The King - Ronnie O'Sullivan is back at the Crucible!

Rapturous applause at the Crucible in Sheffield on Saturday morning as Ronnie O'Sullivan started the defence of his World Snooker crown with a first round match against Marcus Campbell.



It was all over just after 8:30pm that day and he has some time off now - not that it looked like that he needed the practice!

More photos available at: http://www.peverilphoto.com

Santander - what's that all about?

Didn't Rory McIlroy just get a $100million 5 year contract with Nike?  So what is he doing eating apples in adverts?  Thank goodness it hasn't affected his form!  How spooky to have Jensen Button appear as you open your front door. And the lovely Jessica Ennis as well......

I must be doing something wrong - perhaps my standard fee of a packet of Jaffa Cakes needs to be reviewed?

SHEFFIELD VARSITY GAMES 2013 - THE PHOTOGRAPHS

Well, it's all over for me (I won't be around to photograph the football on Wed 10th April), so I've put a selection of photographs from this year's Sheffield Varsity into a gallery at: http://www.peverilphoto.com/section665568_558710.html.

Photographs can be purchased from this gallery as JPGs (they will be emailed to you as 3-5Mb files).  They cost £2 each and all proceeds will be going to 'CANCER RESEARCH UK'.  The photos will be hosted in this gallery until the end of April.

Sheffield Varsity 2013

Well, it all 'ended' yesterday on a bit of a b*m note as Sheffield Wednesday decided that they didn't want two student games cutting up their pitch ahead of an important clash with Cardiff City their pitch was frozen and so a risk to health and safety.  So, football and a few other clashes still to be decided but it leaves the University of Sheffield in the position of finally being able to wrest the Varsity Trophy away from the cabinet at Hallam Univesity where it has been screwed down for the last 9 years.....

I finished off yesterday with photos of badminton, kaufball and athletics at a very dim and dingy EIS (I did offer them 10 bob for the electric meter).  It really pushed the cameras to get any sort of half-decent speed at 6400 ISO and f/2.8 - thank goodness for the ability to drag details out of the shadows in Photoshop!

Will try to put some photos on my website this weekend after a Saturday morning spent being creative (or trying to be) with two fencers, a black backdrop and some glow-sticks!

Time wasters

I have been around enough now to know that life isn't always a bed of roses, but I am still puzzled at various points by people.  "There's nowt so queer as folks", and I know that it is a palliative to be able to say to someone "thanks, we'll look to book you for some photos in the summer..." when they have no intention of doing so, but I am still amazed at how people can start off a dialogue of wanting some work done with no real intention of seeing it through.  I will chase up work as much as the next person, but there comes a point when you think: "hang on, you came to me and yet I seem to be the one doing all the running round here with nothing concrete to show for it yet...".  Weird - got better things to do with my life.

Blooming freezing!

Headed out to Damflask Reservoir early yesterday morning to photograph the Varsity 2013 rowing matches.  The 14 races started just after 8am as advertised on a very cold morning with the hills covered in a layer of snow and flurries blowing across the water at various times.

By 9:30am I could take no more - even with gloves on, I couldn't feel my fingers any more and headed back to the car.

Looking forward to the final day on Wednesday - athletics, kaufball and badminton at the EIS and then to Hillsborough for the ladies and mens football matches.

Sheffield Varsity Games 2013 - Boxing

A good card at the Octagon Centre last night to see a variety of matches which culminated in 3 bouts between the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University.

My favourite shot of the night was this one of Sam Gunter (Captain, University of Sheffield boxing) drawing blood from Rory Balfour (Durham University):

Balfour went on to win with a unanimous points decision, much to the delight of the away (Sheffield Hallam University) fans.

Photograph is copyright Andy Chubb Photography www.peverilphoto.com

Yeah, Ronnie O'Sullivan!

Yes!  The Rocket is back!  Ronnie O'Sullivan yesterday confirmed that he will be back at The Crucible this year to defend his Snooker World Championship title.

As the holder he will now kick off proceedings at 10am on Saturday 20th April 2013.  I hope to be at the tournament for some of the best games going, look out for photos at: World Snooker Champioship 2013

It's official - Getting Old

You know that you are on the slippery slope when both your kids are now faster down the flumes than you are =:~(

Ho hum, never mind, there must be something that I am still better at than them - might have to think about that one.....

Still, starting this week is the Varsity Games - a series of sporting adventures between The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University.  It all kicks off (for me) with boxing on Thursday and then runs swiftly through sailing, rowing, athletics, korfball and finally football over the next fortnight.  All the pictures will be going to The University of Sheffield, but I will post some of the best here or at www.peverilphoto.com

Thanks to British Athletics

Two weekends, two great athletics events.

If anything, the Birmingham Grand Prix surpassed all expectations.  Sell-out home crowd, great even lighting, lots of ACRs and PBs, and a win for Mo Farah who delighted the crowd by passing out autograph cards afterwards:

Photos from the event are at: Birmingham Grand Prix

Big Thanks to British Athletics for organising - here's to a great summer of outdoor events.

British Athletics Grand Prix 2013

The British Athletics Grand Prix returns to the NIA in Birmingham on Saturday 16th February 2013 for what is widely regarded as the world’s best indoor athletics event.

Newly-crowned Olympic gold medallists Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah, as well as Olympic bronze medallist Robbie Grabarz, were in fine form at the NIA last year. Grabarz leapt to a convincing victory in the high jump with 2.32m, while Farah smashed the British and European indoor two mile records with a time of 8:08.07. Ennis saw off competition from world silver medallist Danielle Carruthers to win the 60m hurdles.

Looking forward to a good session tomorrow, especially as there will be live TV (reminder to self - kepp the bald patch out of the way).  Hoping to catch Mo Farah in action in the 3000m in the last event of the day.

Should have some photographs posted to: Andy Chubb Photography by Monday 18th Feb 2013.

British Athletics European Trials & UK Championships

The EIS at Sheffield hosted this last weekend and there were some great performances over the two days.  Everyone was sad that Jessica Ennis had decided to concentrate on her outdoor performances this year and so gave the event a miss for the first time in many years.

Holly Bleasdale continued her good form by clearing 4.77metres in the pole vault:

See more at: Andy Chubb Photography

All kitted out!

Many thanks to the wonderful people at Leon Paul who had some photos of mine from the recent Beazley Trophy/Corble Cup matches and have kindly sent on some fencing gear to allow me to (hopefully) take some arty-type shots (well at least prepare better for them anyway).

No pressure then.......now, how do I sneak a fencing foil and mask into the house, past Mrs C...???!?!?

It's all happening - and not even the snow could stop it!!

Well, the photographic diary is now as full as it has ever been.

Having just finished processing and posting pictures of the Women's Sabre World Cup events (Beazley Trophy and Corble Cup) from Surrey Sports Park last weekend

weekends in February now mainly consist of major athletic events:

British Athletics European Trials & UK Championships, EIS, Sheffield - 9th & 10th Feb 2013


British Athletics Grand Prix, NIA, Birmingham - Saturday 16th Feb 2013

These will be followed by a multitude of sporting events for the Varsity matches between the University of Sheffield and Hallam University (boxing, sailing, rowing, athletics, football......at a number of venues across South Yorkshire to take me to mid-March. 

Plans for after then, and probably after Easter, will be some staged shoots of fencing to get a light-sabre trail and of a very promising young athlete hurdling the Sheffield skyline.