Introduction
2018 was a truly brilliant year for 'Silvester'.
'Photography Escapes, Isle of Man' was successfully launched at The Photography Show in Birmingham and later in the year, 'Photography Tours, Isle of Man' was added to our business portfolio.
A fabulous new website replaced the old at 'Manx Motorsport Photography'
I began our winter weekend photography workshops for all ages and abilities, here on the Isle of Man. The whole nine week programme of saturday morning learning was a complete sell out, with many photographers returning for many of the remaining sessions.
Due to demand, I have now increased the number of subjects covered to twelve, for the 2019/20 season, and photographers have a choice of attending upon either a Saturday or a Sunday.
For full details of our current Winter Weekend Photography Workshop programme, please visit and 'like' our dedicated facebook page at 'Manx Photography Training'
The wedding, portrait and commercial photography genre were all continuing to prosper.
With so many exciting developments, I decided the time was right to update our social photography website, to encompass many of the above genres.
We respect the privacy of our wedding and portrait customers, therefore we will refrain from promoting such projects here. Please visit our galleries to peruse a few selected wedding and portrait images.
And so, here we are - S i l v e s t e r, photography of distinction.
Please enjoy our adventures.
All images are copyright protected, therefore please show the necessary respect.
© David Silvester, 2020.
Thank you.
And so, here we are - S i l v e s t e r, photography of distinction.
Please enjoy our adventures.
All images are copyright protected, therefore please show the necessary respect.
© David Silvester, 2020.
Thank you.
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more news coming very soon !
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Well, we survived !
It is now September 2020 and our whole year so far has been devastated by the Coronavirus pandemic.
From a work perspective, we have 'written off' the rest of 2020 and maybe the first quarter of 2021.
This very quiet period has allowed us the time to improve both our guest accommodation (please refer to photography escapes) and our working studio facility.
We have been busy with our photography training on line, thanks to the Zoom.us platform.
Our customers have enjoyed first class education from the comfort of their own homes.
It is now September 2020 and our whole year so far has been devastated by the Coronavirus pandemic.
From a work perspective, we have 'written off' the rest of 2020 and maybe the first quarter of 2021.
This very quiet period has allowed us the time to improve both our guest accommodation (please refer to photography escapes) and our working studio facility.
We have been busy with our photography training on line, thanks to the Zoom.us platform.
Our customers have enjoyed first class education from the comfort of their own homes.
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Naturally, March 2020 is dominated by the Coronavirus pandemic and therefore the whole of our business is on complete lockdown.
Hopefully, we will be back very soon with news of exciting projects.
Take care and stay safe everyone !
Hopefully, we will be back very soon with news of exciting projects.
Take care and stay safe everyone !
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February 2020 ... The Pavilion & Golf Club, Port St. Mary
Great fun was had covering the refurbishment of The Pavilion, Port St. Mary.
The amazing job by all concerned made our job so much easier.
We wish Becki & Steve and the whole family, the very best of luck (although I doubt if they will need it !).
We wish Becki & Steve and the whole family, the very best of luck (although I doubt if they will need it !).
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January 2020 - Desktop Housekeeping
2020 and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year to you all.
January is always a good time to ensure all websites and social media channels are all tidy and up to date.
January is always a good time to ensure all websites and social media channels are all tidy and up to date.
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December 2019 - A Trip to Yorkshire
December is naturally a busy time for Silvester Photography, however once all orders are placed with our suppliers, there's a few days to wait until everything arrives in for Christmas delivery.
What better time to enjoy a few days away with the family and nature ?
What better time to enjoy a few days away with the family and nature ?
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December 2019 - Our Christmas promotional video
Our promotional Christmas video is aimed at those wishing to create memories and not unwanted gifts. It was great fun to put together.
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November 2019 - Commercial website images.
A most enjoyable, but hard working day in the beautiful Manx November sunshine.
"Thank you" to the lovely and valued, long term customer Catriona at Manx Walks.
"Thank you" to the lovely and valued, long term customer Catriona at Manx Walks.
Website design and photography by yours truly.
I wish you the very best of luck with your new business.
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October 2019 - Commercial website images.
A commercial photoshoot for my great pal Marianne.
A laughter filled day is always on the menu when we collaborate.
Marianne has recently qualified as an amazing 'life coach' and her exciting website will be available very soon.
'Watch this space' for details.
A laughter filled day is always on the menu when we collaborate.
Marianne has recently qualified as an amazing 'life coach' and her exciting website will be available very soon.
'Watch this space' for details.
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September 2019 - Canal du Midi.
Wow !
What an adventure ?
With amazing friends, delightful scenery and plenty of local wine, bread & cheese on board, what could possibly go wrong ?
Fantastic trip !
What an adventure ?
With amazing friends, delightful scenery and plenty of local wine, bread & cheese on board, what could possibly go wrong ?
Fantastic trip !
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Carcassonne
The celebrated mediaeval Carcassonne was the halfway point of our trip and therefore a full day was allocated to explore.
A disappointment of epic proportions.
Within the city walls lies nothing but tat, cafes and bars - a heritage disaster !
A disappointment of epic proportions.
Within the city walls lies nothing but tat, cafes and bars - a heritage disaster !
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September 2019 - Bordeaux.
After a long, hard, but enjoyable year of image making, it's time for a holiday.
Great friends met up in Bordeaux for a few nights, before heading to le Canal du Midi in south west France.
A return to Bordeaux to rest before heading home.
Wow ! What an adventure ?
Great friends met up in Bordeaux for a few nights, before heading to le Canal du Midi in south west France.
A return to Bordeaux to rest before heading home.
Wow ! What an adventure ?
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August 2019 - Vienna.
Three nights in Buchlovice and on to Vienna.
Three days capturing more stock imagery and meeting up with great friends.
If architecture 'floats your boat', then it has to be Vienna.
Lots of useful information about Vienna is to be found here.
Three days capturing more stock imagery and meeting up with great friends.
If architecture 'floats your boat', then it has to be Vienna.
Lots of useful information about Vienna is to be found here.
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July 2019 - Wedding celebrations in the Czech Republic.
A two to three hour drive south from Prague, and on to the small traditional village of Buchlovice, and more fabulous wedding festivities.
As previous, I prefer not to publicise personal customer projects here, but once again, this was an exceptional adventure.
An amazing few days ended far too quickly and many more fine people added to my friends list !
Including these two, whom you should recognise if you are an Isle of Man TT fan.
As previous, I prefer not to publicise personal customer projects here, but once again, this was an exceptional adventure.
An amazing few days ended far too quickly and many more fine people added to my friends list !
Including these two, whom you should recognise if you are an Isle of Man TT fan.
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July 2019 - Prague.
I return from Le Mans, two days home, and it's off again.
Another overseas wedding and this time I'm in the Czech Republic.
Flying in to Prague, it would have been crazy to not stay a few nights and capture images for my stock library clientele.
For more information on Prague, please visit the Prague Tourist Board.
Another overseas wedding and this time I'm in the Czech Republic.
Flying in to Prague, it would have been crazy to not stay a few nights and capture images for my stock library clientele.
For more information on Prague, please visit the Prague Tourist Board.
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June 2019 - Le Mans - social
Traditional Honfleur dinner
Le Mans headquarters
Dinner on the circuit
Home sweet home, interior
Home sweet home, exterior
Honfleur from our hotel
June 2019 - Le Mans - work
The TT festival climaxes on the Saturday, and so it's off to the ferry on the Monday at 'silly o'clock'.
Crossing the channel on the Tuesday ensures I'm at Le Mans for registration, safety briefing and the first night of practice.
Paul and the team at Just Tickets have looked after us for many years and 2019 was no exception, "thank you".
From around twenty years ago and as a small group, we visited Le Mans every year.
I organised dinner on race night at Auberges des Hunaudieres, a famous restaurant on the circuit and along with other groups of pals, we totalled 130 bodies.
An amazing night.
The 'team' eventually dwindled to leave only two of us.
2019 saw the reunion of the old team and a fabulous few days were enjoyed by all, culminating in dinner at Hotel Arbor, once again, right on the circuit.
I am therefore going to spoil you with two photo grids.
Crossing the channel on the Tuesday ensures I'm at Le Mans for registration, safety briefing and the first night of practice.
Paul and the team at Just Tickets have looked after us for many years and 2019 was no exception, "thank you".
From around twenty years ago and as a small group, we visited Le Mans every year.
I organised dinner on race night at Auberges des Hunaudieres, a famous restaurant on the circuit and along with other groups of pals, we totalled 130 bodies.
An amazing night.
The 'team' eventually dwindled to leave only two of us.
2019 saw the reunion of the old team and a fabulous few days were enjoyed by all, culminating in dinner at Hotel Arbor, once again, right on the circuit.
I am therefore going to spoil you with two photo grids.
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June 2019 - The Isle of Man TT Festival.
It is June again and the one thing on every Islanders mind is the amazing TT festival.
For two weeks the main, central roads are transformed into 37.76 miles of the most testing and unforgiving racetrack on the planet.
For two weeks the main, central roads are transformed into 37.76 miles of the most testing and unforgiving racetrack on the planet.
Further details of our own motorsport holiday packages may be found here
More information on the Isle of Man TT Races may be found upon the official TT website.
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May 2019 - Trip to the Calf of Man.
I took a small group of photographers out to the amazing Calf of Man.
Everyone returned tired, but so excited about the trip and the images they had captured.
The 'Calf of Man' is a small island just off the southern tip of the Isle of Man.
There is a bird observatory, a few deserted lighthouses and a warden in residence, during the summer months.
We travel in small groups, in a small boat, and generally enjoy around three to four hours ashore. Suitable footwear and sensible clothing is always recommended.
Fancy a trip out on the next adventure ?
Everyone returned tired, but so excited about the trip and the images they had captured.
The 'Calf of Man' is a small island just off the southern tip of the Isle of Man.
There is a bird observatory, a few deserted lighthouses and a warden in residence, during the summer months.
We travel in small groups, in a small boat, and generally enjoy around three to four hours ashore. Suitable footwear and sensible clothing is always recommended.
Fancy a trip out on the next adventure ?
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May 2019 - A Wedding in Corsica.
Details of personal customer projects are normally not published here, but my wedding trip to Corsica was exceptional.
Unfortunately, during May, there is only one flight per week from Manchester, and i therefore had to suffer fun and adventure for a whole week !
I was looked after extremely well by the bride and groom's wonderful families.
The people, the weather, the scenery (and the hire car) were all simply magnificent.
I want to return to this hidden gem !
Unfortunately, during May, there is only one flight per week from Manchester, and i therefore had to suffer fun and adventure for a whole week !
I was looked after extremely well by the bride and groom's wonderful families.
The people, the weather, the scenery (and the hire car) were all simply magnificent.
I want to return to this hidden gem !
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April 2019 - A Visit from the USA
Maria and James booked an independent tour with us via our Photography Tours website.
I collected both from their cruise ship berth in Douglas.
The customer's itinerary requirement for the day was to visit and photograph the Island's lighthouses.
They returned to Texas with some great images and fond memories.
I collected both from their cruise ship berth in Douglas.
The customer's itinerary requirement for the day was to visit and photograph the Island's lighthouses.
They returned to Texas with some great images and fond memories.
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March 2019 - "Down on the Farm" Training Day.
The delightful Corina (of our Italian, editorial photoshoots fame) visited for a few weeks.
Happy to model for us, Corina braved the bitter cold to add warmth and glamour to a brilliant workshop day "down on the farm".
Our delegates learned to balance a supplementary light with the existing daylight.
Great fun !
Happy to model for us, Corina braved the bitter cold to add warmth and glamour to a brilliant workshop day "down on the farm".
Our delegates learned to balance a supplementary light with the existing daylight.
Great fun !
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February 2019 - Photo Training Overseas, part two.
Work finished and a few days to relax in the sunshine.
Watching the whales in the bay and the release of two day old baby turtles, were both magical to behold.
These should be on everybody's bucket list.
Watching the whales in the bay and the release of two day old baby turtles, were both magical to behold.
These should be on everybody's bucket list.
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January 2019 - Photo Training Overseas, part one.
Portrait Photographer of the Year Winner
Joyful David
Wedding Photographer of the Year Winner
January is always a well earned break following the busy pre Christmas period.
A couple of weeks pass by while I catch my breath, bring websites etc. up to date, before I dust off the camera and the suitcase in readiness for the last ever Photo Training Overseas adventure.
Throughout the last ten years of PTO, I have enjoyed being a guest, a speaker, a judge, a sponsor and a contributor to all of the learning, fun and the laughter.
As owners George & Glenys retire, this will be sadly, the last ever event.
And what an event ?
A week of work and a week of sunshine.
At the end of the week's work I managed to secure not only "Wedding Photographer of the Year", but also "Portrait Photographer of the Year", with the above images.
A couple of weeks pass by while I catch my breath, bring websites etc. up to date, before I dust off the camera and the suitcase in readiness for the last ever Photo Training Overseas adventure.
Throughout the last ten years of PTO, I have enjoyed being a guest, a speaker, a judge, a sponsor and a contributor to all of the learning, fun and the laughter.
As owners George & Glenys retire, this will be sadly, the last ever event.
And what an event ?
A week of work and a week of sunshine.
At the end of the week's work I managed to secure not only "Wedding Photographer of the Year", but also "Portrait Photographer of the Year", with the above images.
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December 2018 - Spooyt Vane Waterfall
Returning customers to Photography Escapes, Mandy and Mike, came back to enjoy shooting waterfalls, but this time in mid December. The crisp winter light adds something special.
The Isle of Man has amazing adventures on offer, all year round.
If you are not convinced, please take a look here at "The Isle of Man's Extraordinary Story".
The Isle of Man has amazing adventures on offer, all year round.
If you are not convinced, please take a look here at "The Isle of Man's Extraordinary Story".
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November 2018 - Paris Photography Festival
November witnesses our annual trip to the amazing Paris Photography Festival, and a chance to meet up and relax with great friends.
October 2018 - Punta Secca, Sicily
"When in Rome ...." as they say.
So whilst in Sicily, I had to visit the home, restaurant and village of my favourite TV detective, Inspector Montalbano.
I was not disappointed.
So whilst in Sicily, I had to visit the home, restaurant and village of my favourite TV detective, Inspector Montalbano.
I was not disappointed.
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October 2018 - Touring Cultural Sicily.
Sicily is just a short flight from Naples, so it made sense to pop over for a bit of a break.
However, the camera came out in the quest for capturing more images for my stock library.
A few days touring (it just had to be the Fiat 500) around the many temples and archaeological sites proved both fascinating and satisfying.
Discover more about Sicily's historical sites here.
However, the camera came out in the quest for capturing more images for my stock library.
A few days touring (it just had to be the Fiat 500) around the many temples and archaeological sites proved both fascinating and satisfying.
Discover more about Sicily's historical sites here.
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September 2018 - Sorrento Editorial Photoshoot
A wonderful "Lady in Red" editorial photoshoot in sunny Sorrento was simply fantastic.
The gorgeous Corina was our model for the day along with a delightfully restored Fiat 500.
The gorgeous Corina was our model for the day along with a delightfully restored Fiat 500.
A fabulous day was enjoyed by all.
A huge 'thank you' to the lovely Corina and the Ladies at yellow vintage 500 who will happily talk to you about renting this amazing car for your celebrations.
A huge 'thank you' to the lovely Corina and the Ladies at yellow vintage 500 who will happily talk to you about renting this amazing car for your celebrations.
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September 2018 - Relaxing with Industry Friends.
I was delighted to entertain long time friends within the photography industry.
What better way than with dinner on the steam train ?
Bev is a photographer colleague from the English south coast and Debbie looks after my account at Loxley Colour, my photographic print laboratory.
What better way than with dinner on the steam train ?
Bev is a photographer colleague from the English south coast and Debbie looks after my account at Loxley Colour, my photographic print laboratory.
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August 2018 - A Trip to Dublin
Business meetings in Dublin allowed a couple of days with my good friend Vinnie O'Byrne.
How can you not enjoy the sights and sounds of Dublin ?
How can you not enjoy the sights and sounds of Dublin ?
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July 2018 - Helen and David Visit
Peel Castle
Our private guest lounge
Dusk on Peel Hill
Sunrise at Langness
Sunrise at Langness
Sunset at Peel Castle
Helen and David won our major competition at The Photography Show.
The challenge was to estimate the amount of time it took to photograph ten local beauty spots in the South of the Island. One hour and twenty one minutes was the correct answer, securing Helen and David a four night stay in our delightful four star, gold awarded, Bed & Breakfast home.
Following two amazing and enjoyable days of landscape photography tuition with David,
they left as friends and not customers.
they left as friends and not customers.
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June 2018 - The Le Mans 24 Hour Race.
I am very lucky to travel to the prestigious Le Mans 24 hour race festival each year.
With my Getty Images®contributor hat on, I enjoy intimate access to the cars, teams and the pit lane areas.
No luxury hotels around but 'glamping' inside the circuit ensures a short walk to work !
The journey home always involves a welcome stay and hot shower at le Cheval Blanc in Honfleur.
No luxury hotels around but 'glamping' inside the circuit ensures a short walk to work !
The journey home always involves a welcome stay and hot shower at le Cheval Blanc in Honfleur.
Thank you to Vincent at Le Cheval Blanc and the staff at La Bisquine for looking after us for almost twenty years.
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June 2018 - The Isle of Man TT Festival.
The Tourist Trophy road race festival is when the Island really comes to life.
30,000 visitors and competitors transform the Isle of Man into a haven for the motorcycle enthusiast. We offer seven day (minimum) breaks during both qualifying week and race week, for the photographer wishing to stay with us and enjoy four star accommodation, transport and expert motorsport photography tuition at all sessions.
Further details of our motorsport holiday packages may be found here
Further details of our motorsport holiday packages may be found here
More information on the Isle of Man TT Races may be found upon the official TT website.
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May 2018 - Our Private Hire Licences
Hard work throughout May saw David achieve Private Hire licences for both himself and 'black beauty'. We are now qualified to transport bridal parties, tour clients and our very own 'Photography Escapes' customers.
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March 2018 - The Photography Show.
exciting anticipation
all ready
daily prize winners
amazing staff
a busy stand every day
5pm, last day !
Van loaded to the roof and we're heading to the ferry.
It is March 2018 and we launch Photography Escapes, Isle of Man over four long days at The Photography Show in Birmingham.
While there, David took advantage to renew his membership (15% show discount) with the Royal Photographic Society.
It is March 2018 and we launch Photography Escapes, Isle of Man over four long days at The Photography Show in Birmingham.
While there, David took advantage to renew his membership (15% show discount) with the Royal Photographic Society.
Elaine, Jan and Rebecca worked tirelessly hard each day for seven hours, while I (allegedly) "swanned around meeting old friends and drinking coffee !"
We presented prosecco to our daily competition winners, however Helen and David were the winners of our major competition, and an amazing prize of a four night stay and two days tuition with yours truly at Photography Escapes.
Our grateful thanks go out to:
Loxley Colour and Fujifilm for their help with the fantastic printed photographic boards.
Neil at Words & Spaces for his patience and the printed material.
And finally, to Rebecca, Jan and Elaine for the hard work, the laughs, and the incredible bar & restaurant bills !
We presented prosecco to our daily competition winners, however Helen and David were the winners of our major competition, and an amazing prize of a four night stay and two days tuition with yours truly at Photography Escapes.
Our grateful thanks go out to:
Loxley Colour and Fujifilm for their help with the fantastic printed photographic boards.
Neil at Words & Spaces for his patience and the printed material.
And finally, to Rebecca, Jan and Elaine for the hard work, the laughs, and the incredible bar & restaurant bills !