Robert Walkley: Blog

First game new season 2016/17

(Robert Walkley) — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 18:34:55 GMT

New season starts here at home to Stevenage Town in a friendly , Its time to get back and get our eye back in but these games aren't about getting good action shots but trying to get a profile images of all the new signings. The hard bit for us photographers is Learning what certain players will do on the pitch, surprising watching players though the lens you soon start to know which ones will shoot on sight and which ones will always look for the pass More importantly you need to know which ones are likely to flare up. On the other side its great to be back down to the park and seeing the clubhouse looking so good and listening to the rumour mill.

Americana awards 17

(Robert Walkley) — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 18:30:27 GMT

I've always wanted to do a few concerts but being freelance and no portfolio of music acts, its impossible to break into this industry. After months of e-mailing promotors, venues with no luck. I volunteered to do the Americana awards in hackney with 20 odd acts over two days. It was a win win situation with networking included and a chance to get close to the bands, as the venues were on the small side. two rewarding longer and harder than expected days followed . First act was Carter Sampson from the USA, Carter seemed to have a look of Roy Orbison about her maybe not his voice, A lovely voice never the less and a good easy start for the photography. Then I ran across the street into the Oslo bar for The grande who were somewhat different, Louder and being five on the stage somewhat harder to photograph. Back to to the Vintage Dress for the Black feathers a two piece band whose Mic got my attention from the start, Black Feathers themselves are a band I enjoyed photographing, full of emotion when singing. Over the road again for Murder Murder a bluegrass band from Canada. Full of movement and plenty to focus on, The fiddle player was playing to the camera which is just a bonus for me. Back at Vintage Dress Amanda Rheamure was already on the tiny stage in the the room that holds 80 and impossible to move in. Again another good performance and easy to get images. Jo Harman, Walton Hess, Angaleena Presley and to finish the night off for me was Emily Barker. Home at 1am quick download in bed by 2am and up up and on my way back by ten to watch and photgraph the singer/songwriters Panel. Beth Nelson Chapman and Graham Goldman who has written some great songs including 'I'm not in love' by 10cc. Bob Harris was next in a talk with American singer Mary Chaplin Carpenter Once again the hour flew by. Managed to get a couple of frames with Mary Chaplin and Bob together. On to the awards Red carpet pics first then Yola Carter opens the event. Yola has a voice that fills the church what a great act to open with. The night whizzes by Van Morrison makes an quick appearance along with Jools Holland. The highlight Of the night was Mary Chaplin Carpenter who you would not recognise from the afternoon. The evening finishes around 10pm before the after show party began. Now you may ask why no images of Mary Chaplin appear on my website and the answer is every other act had no problem but Mary Chaplin has to ok every image before publication. The Link to images are at.

https://goo.gl/bTlpYy

http://www.robertwalkley.co.uk/f1060137096

Americana Awards 17Black feathers

will I get there.

(Robert Walkley) — Sun, 27 Mar 2016 00:26:40 GMT

The pressure of getting to this weeks game starts of a Friday night when I leave for work at 5PM, having to stay overnight in Brussels and not starting work till the morning of the game, Everything has to fall in to place with the main worry being will the 12.52 from Brussels arrive on time in London. The much shorter journey from St Pancras to St Albans City and as it happens everything runs to time and after a quick drive from the station, yes I know its quicker to walk but the equipment weighs a ton and its raining. Car parked and walk into the ground just as the Ref blows for the kick off . I Sit down not quite got the camera out only to look up to see Eastbourne score, Watching the game I do wonder why the Refs at this level seem to take the easy decisions to give a clear penatly should have been given on Ben Martin (The Eastbourne player pulling his shirt from behind) only for the Ref to turn around a give the foul in favour of the Eastbourne defender. then every time a Eastbourne player hits the floor its a foul, seems to me at this level all you need to do is go down with a scream and the Ref will blow his whistle, The linesmen gives the defenders the benefit on the offside decisions when clearly not keeping up with play. Not saying all the decisions are wrong but far too many are at this level are. Still City carry on with the same attacking football that over the last 6 weeks has seen our fortunes change and its not long before McDonald pulls us level and from then in only one team is going to win this game. Hardly any Eastbourne fans are in the ground so a crowd of 650 or so seems to be a good turnout.

Now on to Hemel.

Full time worker Part time Photographer.

(Robert Walkley) — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 20:03:11 GMT

Lucky enough to have a full time job which requires me too work shifts whilst trying to attend every St Albans City football match can cause problems not only with work but the wife too!. This weeks game against Concord Rangers was tougher than most, as been on a long night shift starting at 20.19 and working till 06.30 in the morning. Finally my head hitting the pillow around 8am then getting back up at 12.45 quick wash then straight into the car (13.30) for a 65 mile trip to Canvey Island to arrive at the ground by 2.40. Then picking up team sheets, time for a quick chat and the teams are out. Once the game is over its straight back into the car home by 7pm. Time then too quickly edit and the photos and send them off to the people who need them for the reports, just enough time to eat a late dinner have a quick bath get back in to uniform and drive back into central London to start work again at 10.20 work all night. Drive home at 8.30 and sleep, for most of the day, was it worth it well when Louie Theopananous shot broke the net for a 90th minute winner then yes it was! .

All is well

(Robert Walkley) — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 11:59:30 GMT

Finally the season is drawing to a close 8 games to go and need to win 5, I wonder is it better to be in this position and have something to play for or be in mid table and just seeing the season out. Dare say the owners and staff/Players would prefer the second option. On saying that being in need of points brings in the fans and the money. As a fan I still find it hard not to celebrate when City score or shout a few swear words to the ref once another decision goes against us and this season believe me, we have been on the end of some awful ones. Still i live in hope that we win these games and stay up

Its ok for you , you don't pay

(Robert Walkley) — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 11:08:36 GMT

Surprising how many people think this sentence seems funny, After hearing it yet again I thought I would let you know how much goes into turning up week after week sometimes twice a week. Lets begin with a few facts you might not have thought about. The ever increasing cost public indemnity insurance £126.00 per season. Not forgetting the cost of equipment which will work in extreme cold and wet weather, Its not always sunny in the middle of December. Cost of two decent camera bodies, lenses and flash guns, which is approximately £7000 also the constant wear and tear. Lets not forget travel expenses to away games and the fact I have to arrive early.

While we're talking about time, as much as I'd love to spend the pre-match in the club bar drinking, going for a pee halfway through the first half stops this. Time after the game is spent down loading images going through them cropping and sending to various parties who need the pictures by a certain time on a Saturday night, then uploading them to my website which is yet another cost to me. Then dealing with players who request pictures which are provided free of charge,(Which I am happy to do) this can take up to three hours after the game. Mid week away games I might not get to bed until 1:00 am in the morning and still have to attend my full-time job, as earnings at this level of football are non-existent. The Herts ad and St Albans Review both expect images for free. The constant request for yet more free images during the week, takes both time and energy.

Lets discuss Mid winter when frozen to one spot without cover listening to the same shit that one or two of the home supporters continually shout. If I never hear defend defend defend again it be to fooking soon.(what does he think the players are trying to do)I do wonder if they are actually watching the same match as I am, on saying this due to the fact I miss half of the goals whilst focusing on the player who is midst of the action and about to shoot its impossible to actually watch and enjoy the game!!

So next time you say to me it's ok for you, you get in for free don't be surprised if I turn round and kick you in the bolicks!!!!!

The View from a photographer in non league football

(Robert Walkley) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 21:20:50 GMT

Cold wet and miserable down the park once again, still 45 mins till kick off. Have to get to the ground early, I rush to the press box to be welcomed by young Brian and his family to pass a few pleasant minutes and I think this is what makes non league football such a pleasure. Next I turn to the Herts ad reporter Mark and ask what images he would like this week, to which he replies rather dryly “just one in focus would do”. next I ask Tav’s for a team sheet making the fatal mistake of adding whats this week’s gossip, as he starts talking my thoughts start to wander I look up and think would the old blue beams holding the old main stand up take my weight if I decide to hang myself. After a few minutes I awake from this daydream state to see Dave waiting patiently for a answer to a question I never heard, Coffee I say and make a escape towards the hot dog van, what no chips again, still it helps to keep me going.

Quick chat with Leigh the other photographer down the park as we await for the mighty Saints to appear we check our equipment and talk technical details which involves Leigh holding out his hand and stating the obvious its stopped raining but looks like we will get a soaking at some stage this afternoon.

The Teams arrive and line up, a quick chance to photograph this weeks new players,

hope full the Saints lose the toss and have to kick into the sun making life so much easier for us, if not the players. Then we sprint to our positions always taking the same places sit down and wait for the action to begin. The opposition go straight on the attack and the lone voice from the terrace shouts defend! defend! defend!, Not sure the players are taking any notice of this advice as the ball hits the back of our net. Some time later after defending and the ball breaks out to C.Henry who runs with the ball towards the byline he looks up and sees Simon Martin sprinting from the half line, Chris takes a break has a cup of tea and poses for a few more images to fill up my hard drive, he looks up once more to see Simon just arriving at the edge of the box, then the ball go back to where it once came 30 yards back down to the wing to Layne who then turns passes the ball across the middle of the park to Graham then onwards to the other wing for Seeby. I feel lost the players seem to be passing to each other and playing the ball along the floor, not sure football at this level will catch on. Oh! how I wish for the old days when the fullbacks would just boot the ball as high and far upfield and our forwards would chase it more in hope than expectation. As quick as a flash Seeby crosses and little Greg Ngoyi nips in and scores, too bloody quick for me to capture it sharp, still he runs towards the camera to celebrate, I don’t have the heart to tell him I’ve missed the goal.

Half time comes and I am off to see Dave for the statistics, 6 shots on target to their 3, 7 corners to their 2

4 offsides all Henry to their 1. He omits to mention the goal tally our one to their 3

second half to follow.