I am not a professional sports or events photographer; however, action and event photography have been terrific fun for me, and many of my exhibition awards have come from this type of activity.

Inevitably, if there is a group of photographers gathered at one location during an event, I will probably be standing somewhere else. If I can get lower, I will. If a long lens provides an opportunity to change the perception of the scene, I will try it. I am always looking for a different viewpoint or approach that can turn a familiar event into something less predictable.

The RAW Challenge, with its muddy participants, and the Magic Millions, with horse racing on the Gold Coast beach, are perhaps the best examples of this approach.

Moving from Queensland to Victoria has changed the types of events I can readily access. As a result, my more recent work has shifted towards boat and car racing rather than surfing. The events may have changed, but my approach has not: look for the position, perspective or moment that provides something different from the obvious shot.