It was, quite rightly, pointed out to me this afternoon that my Blog has been hopelessly neglected in going un-updated for AGES!  The cameras have been busy, but I haven't managed to update this blog, and for that, I apologise. So here's a little sneak peak at some fun I had with the Great Mare, and Champion, Black Caviar.  I hadn't seen her since kissing her goodbye with the a carrot at Morphetville Racecourse on 12 May.  And I am pleased to report that she remembered me, and has the same expectation that my pockets contain a never ending supply of carrots!  As is frequently the case with the Famous Pony, the weather can threaten to be terrible, but around her the sun usually agrees to shine!

It's a special thing to have your image published on the front cover of any book. So it goes without saying that being awarded the front and back cover images, on a book such as this, is a truly special moment. Particularly when the Pony in question is so close to my own heart.   When you've been photographing professionally as long as I have, it's not the done thing to boast about every photograph you get published.  However this is a project that I've worked closely on, that is close to my heart, and being written by an author and person that I hold in high regard.  And it's on my Famous Pony, the great, great champion, Black Caviar, whom I have grown so close to, so it's a little hard on this occasion not to say "look at me, look at me!!!!". Thank you Pony, for making the past 2 years of my life such an amazing ride.  xxx

Some of you may already be aware that I've started a new part time job, working in the Showroom at Dunstone Design.  I spend 3 days per week surrounded by the most beautiful looking, and finely crafted, furniture that you can find anywhere in Australia.  Or indeed the world.  I've also been photographing the new pieces as they come through for Evan and his team, both in their finished glory in the Showroom prior to delivery, and in the Workshop as the pieces either gain shape or are nearly completion. I hope the existing readership of The Image is Everything will take the time to wander across to the new Blog I have started for Dunstone Design, to see what glorious pieces they are working on throughout the year. Dunstone Design Blog Enjoy...

GUN CAMERAMAN PASSES AWAY Tony Leonard ( right ), a legendary equine photographer who chronicled the golden age of Thoroughbred racing, died July 14 at Homestead Nursing Home in Lexington. He was 89. Born Leonard Anthony Bergantino on Aug. 8, 1922 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Leonard served in the Army during World War II and became a professional entertainer after the war, performing first in nightclubs across the country and eventually on Broadway. He took up the stage name of Tony Leonard at the suggestion of Bob Hope’s manager and came to Kentucky in 1961 with his wife Adelle. Deciding to settle down in the bluegrass, Leonard began taking pictures of horses in the area as a hobby that soon turned into a full-time profession. He first made his name in racing when he went to Darby Dan Farm in Lexington and photographed the great Ribot in his paddock. Several of the photos appeared as part of a feature in the Morning Telegraph and Leonard was on his way to a career as a T

I've been feeling a little flat, confused and low the past couple of weeks.  It's a feeling that I am having difficulty shaking, and uncertainty doesn't help either.  So while I was in Sydney this week, I turned to the ponies to try to help myself feel better.  And that was fun.  I spent some time at Randwick, with some of Gai Waterhouse's horses, including her 2 stars, the champion mare More Joyous and her unbeaten 2yo Triple Crown champion, Pierro.

Dan (my car) is packed.  And clean (well, sort of clean for him, anyway).  I am always amazed by the amount of horse feed I have to sweep out of him each time I clean him out, and the assortment of kids toys, and left over food, which always makes me curse.  His oil and water are checked (think the oil was low, again), and I just need to fuel him up, on route to feeding my pony and picking the kids up.  I am feeling tired and sick, and can't shake a cold that just wants to get nastier.  The reason for the trip this weekend is my mum's birthday party, as she turned 70 on Wednesday, and is having an afternoon tea for a party in Sydney tomorrow afternoon.   I have of course thrown the camera in, as there will be photos to be take, and I kept wandering back to my cupboard and looking at the big lens in its bag, thinking 'should I, shouldn't I?'  Then decided that spending a little bit of time with some ponies will be good for my soul, so made a quick phone call to

I recently went to Adelaide for the first time in well over 15 years.  I used to visit there, for work, in a past life with CSIRO.  The reason I returned was because trainer Peter Moody had selected 2 races at Adelaide's Morphetville Racecourse to prepare his great champion, and my favourite Pony, Black Caviar, for her engagement with the Queen at Royal Ascot. On the first trip, on 28 April, after the race was run and won, I spend some time out the back with the Pony.  Those who know my Blog and me will have seen the images from the day, including my own little reunion with the Pony.  What I hadn't posted were some images I took of a lady in a wheel chair, who was able to meet the Pony in the stalls just before they put her on the float home.  I didn't know who the lady in the wheelchair was, I was just intrigued by her, and by the wheels that bore the Famous Pony's great colours.  They brought Nelly back to the stalls, and before the lady realised it, there was a

There's a very important book being written at the moment, about an important little Pony...  It's being written by an eloquent and respected writer as well. And there's a photographer who's close to the Pony, and her heart (ok, and her stomach if truth be told! but we are v good friends!!!) who's also being closely involved in this project.  I've seen some of the artwork.  There are some occasions where you doubt everything that you do. This Pony makes a difference through.  To everyone.  Especially me.  In the darkest moments, she is a light that brightens my way.  Thank you Pony....

Winter is fully upon us.  Here in Canberra, the night time temperatures have fallen to around the -5 to -6 mark for the past 2 nights, and daytime temperatures being, well, damn cold!  My daughter AND I have also been a little sick with colds.  During winter I am kept busy with incoming photograph requests, bookwork and tax returns (enough to bore me stupid!), soccer photography for the local soccer club (with the annual soccer yearbook soon to be completed, which is a big job in itself), and my new job running the Showroom, and photographing for Dunstone Design.  The good news is that the Pony will be on the plane home soon.  It will feel nice to have her back in the country again.  Moody told me this morning that my Pony is doing ok, and that she is coming home soon.  Her lovely trainer is tired, and glad it is all over, but immensely proud of Nelly, her jockey, and his whole team.  He can rightly be very proud of what he's achieved.  It's an enormous feat.  I think Mr C

Paddock for Nelly.. The Pony has suffered 2 muscles tears, and severe bruising to her hindquarters during her Royal Ascot triumph last night. She has entered quarantine, and will arrive home in Australia in approximately 2 weeks, and then head to the paddock..  I was so proud watching her race.  And win.  She is my love..  My darling...

Who else on this side of the world will be staying up late to watch the Famous Pony race at Ascot tonight?  I sure as hell will be.  I usually can't keep track of where all my images are published, as their use is getting reasonably prolific, but my lovely editor, Ed, of the time honoured Owner & Breeder magazine in the UK, sent me a lovely little email saying one of my beach images was gracing the back page of The Times over there and he'd been delighted to see it.  I thought that was nice of him, as was going to the effort of scanning the back page at my request and sending it across to me.  Thanx Ed... Good luck tonight Pony.  Show them what you've got.  xxx

One more sleep.  My heart still breaks because I am not over with my Famous Pony..  But thinking of her constantly. Let her run Lukey, keep her safe and bring her home to me in one piece, but let them see how special she is.  Go Pony.....

I sat up and watched the opening race of the 2012 Royal Ascot Carnival last night.  The very first race had the unbeaten UK superhorse, Frankel, running in it.  I've never sat up and watched Frankel live before.  He was breathtaking.  He made me sit up, and think 'oh goodness' to myself (because I was the only one in the room!).  He didn't just win.. He annihilated the rest of the field, with a complete display of brilliance and arrogance, setting sail for the post with ruthless determination.   I will never be one to compare Frankel with Black Caviar, as I believe they are two totally different animals.  But if watching him has done anything, it has made me think ' Please Pete, just this once, let Lukey ride her out, let him say, let's show them what this baby can really do.  Turn her loose and ask her to run.... '  That's all I want to see now.  Even if I can't be there to photograph her in all her glory, with all her flags flying!