Fast Mowers and slow Shutters: The West Show and the Art of Capturing Speed in Monochrome
Every year in August, something magical happens on the west coast of Guernsey. No, it’s not a mystical fog rolling in from the sea or a rare bird gracing our shores. It’s the West Show—a joyous, chaotic, and utterly charming blend of agricultural fair, community festival, and yes, high-octane lawnmower racing. And while the show is a feast for the senses, it’s also a playground for photographers, especially those of us who can’t resist the allure of black and white, grainy images that capture the soul of an event. So grab your camera (and maybe your earmuffs), and let’s dive into the history, the hilarity, and the sheer photographic potential of Guernsey’s West Show.
The West Show lawnmower racing
The West Show lawnmower racing
The West Show: A Century of Community and Culture
The West Show is an institution as well as an event. Established over a century ago in 1913, it began as a humble agricultural and horticultural exhibition, thanks to the vision of Abraham J. Simon and a group of local leaders who wanted to promote farming and gardening in Guernsey’s western parishes. The first show, held at Les Islets Arsenal, was a roaring success—helped, no doubt, by the uncharacteristically good weather. Since then, the West Show has weathered two world wars, economic downturns, and even the occasional foot-and-mouth outbreak, evolving into a vibrant celebration that draws locals and visitors alike.
Over the years, the West Show has featured everything from prize-winning cattle to “musical chairs with bicycles” (a crowd favorite in 1921), but one of its most beloved traditions is lawnmower racing. Yes, you read that right—lawnmower racing. It’s the kind of event that makes you wonder, “Who thought of this, and why aren’t they more famous?”
The West Show lawnmower racing
Lawnmower Racing: From Pub Talk to Speed Demons
Lawnmower racing is exactly what it sounds like—racing modified lawnmowers at speeds that would make your gardener proud (or terrified). This quirky motorsport originated not on a race track, but in a pub in Wisborough Green, West Sussex, where in 1973, a group of friends, lamenting the high costs of motorsports, decided to race something everyone had: lawnmowers. And thus, the British Lawn Mower Racing Association (BLMRA) was born.
In Guernsey, lawnmower racing found its home at the West Show, where it quickly became for me, a highlight of the event. Participants strip their mowers of blades (safety first!), but leave the original engines intact. (or slightly modified) These garden machines, once used to keep lawns trim, are transformed into speed machines capable of hitting 50 mph on the right track. The races are as much about skill as they are about speed, with competitors navigating tight turns and bumpy terrain, all while the crowd cheers them on with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for Grand Prix races.
But what makes lawnmower racing truly special isn’t just the speed or the competition—it’s the spirit of fun and community that underpins the whole thing. It’s a sport that doesn’t take itself too seriously, even as the racers push their machines to the limit. And this blend of seriousness and silliness is what makes it such a joy to photograph.
The West Show lawnmower racing
The West Show lawnmower racing
Capturing the Madness: The Art of Panning and the Timelessness of Black and White
So how do you photograph a lawnmower race? With panning, of course—a technique as old as motorsport photography itself. Panning involves moving your camera in sync with the subject’s motion, using a slower shutter speed to keep the subject in focus while the background blurs into a streak of speed. It’s a method that perfectly captures the chaos and energy of lawnmower racing, freezing the racer in a moment of sharp clarity while the world around them rushes by in a blur.
Panning has been a staple of motorsport photography since the early 20th century, with pioneers like Jacques Henri Lartigue capturing the thrill of speed in a way that made viewers feel like they were right there on the track. As motorsport grew in popularity, photographers continued to refine this technique, creating iconic images that conveyed not just the action, but the emotion and intensity of racing.
But why stop at panning? Shooting in black and white adds another layer of depth and drama to the images. Black and white photography strips away the distractions of color, focusing the viewer’s attention on the essential elements of the scene: the contrast, the composition, and the texture. The grainy quality of the images, reminiscent of classic film stock, adds a timeless feel, linking the modern, quirky world of lawnmower racing to the grand tradition of motorsport photography.
Historically, black and white was the only option available to early photographers, and it became the standard for documentary and sports photography. Even as color film became more accessible, many photographers stuck with black and white for its ability to convey mood and atmosphere in a way that color sometimes cannot. In motorsport, where speed and action are everything, black and white images can emphasize the stark contrasts and dynamic motion that define the sport.
Photographing the West Show’s lawnmower races, with panned subjects and grainy, monochrome aesthetic, wanted to do more than just document an event—i wanted tell a story, and capture the spirit of the West Show, the thrill of the race, and the timeless appeal of a sport that combines everyday practicality with sheer, unadulterated fun.
The West Show lawnmower racing
The West Show lawnmower racing
The West Show lawnmower racing
Fast Mowers and slow Shutters
The West Show is a celebration of Guernsey’s past, present, and future—a place where tradition meets innovation, and where the community comes together to celebrate everything that makes this island special. Whether you’re watching a prize pig parade, tasting or listening to the local jams, or cheering on the lawnmower racers as they hurtle around the track, the West Show offers something for everyone.
And as a photographer, it’s a goldmine of opportunity. The races are a chance to capture not just speed, but the spirit of competition and community that defines the West Show. The black and white aesthetic adds a layer of nostalgia and timelessness, linking the modern event to its historical roots. And the panning technique brings the action to life, freezing the racers in moments of sharp clarity against a backdrop of motion and excitement.
The West Show lawnmower racing
