2020 – Page 5 – RANDY WELLS – WHERE PHOTOS, VIDEO, AND WRITING ABOUT CLASSIC CARS, TRANSPORTATION, AND AUTOMOTIVE LIFESTYLE MEET – SEATTLE / L.A. DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

SLOT CAR RACING AGAIN

As a kid, I raced slot cars at commercial hobby tracks pretending to be the famous British driver, Sterling Moss. I still have my box of cars and controller. Twenty years ago, I started collecting the 1/32nd scale slot cars that were being produced at the time. Continue reading “”

STERLING MOSS R.I.P.

Happy Easter. It is with a sad heart that I report Sir Stirling Moss passed away this morning. Considered the greatest racing driver never to win the Formula 1 World Championship, he succumbed to a long-term illness at 90 years of age.

Sterling won just about everything else during his long career – including numerous F1 races, Le Mans, Sebring, Targa Florio, and the Mille Miglia. Amazingly, he won 212 of the 529 races he entered. Godspeed. Continue reading “”

PHOTOGRAPHING SCALE MODEL CARS

Since we are spending another month (or more) at home because of the global health pandemic, now is the perfect time to photograph some scale model cars. Continue reading “”

FAST CAR

Tracy Chapman broke the airwaves in April 1988 with this song and others on her self-titled album. Singles from the record, like “Fast Car” and “Baby Can I Hold You” are still relevant today. The CD, or better yet, the record or the elusive 12″ single discs, are audiophile grade music. Check it out. Continue reading “”

STAY CREATIVE, AND FIND JOY WHERE YOU CAN

While in quarantine during the plague that was raging in London, Shakespeare wrote King Lear. Even with social isolation, it’s possible to be creative and stay joyful. If you like to write or photograph, now is the perfect time to start those projects you never had time for. Continue reading “”

BORED? BUILD A 1:3 SCALE PORSCHE 4-CAM MOTOR!

The 4-cam Carrera engine is a technical masterpiece. It propelled Porsche to several race wins in the ’50s and 60s with cars like the 550 Spyder and the 356 Carrera 2. I’ve driven both, and let me tell you these multi-million dollar icons are the real deal. Continue reading “”

CAR PHOTOGRAPHY & WRITING IN THE AGE OF COVID

First of all, my heart goes out to all of those who have been impacted by the Covid-19 crisis.

Fortunately, working from home, my writing routine has changed very little. For my photos, I’m working on projects that have been idle for awhile.

Once the “stay at home” order is lifted, I can resume my car photography. All I need is one person to drive the assigned car into position in front of an appropriate background. I can shoot the whole take with a normal and telephoto lens, keeping ten feet from the car and driver at all times. Of course, that doesn’t help the millions of people who are not so fortunate. Continue reading “”

TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER

Jackson Browne sang it best on “The Only Child”, but “Living in Another World”, a song by the British band Talk Talk, is just as good. It was recorded for their sophomore album The Colour of Spring in March of 1986.

I think it’s one of the more appropriate tunes for these uncertain times. I’m losing feathers too. “Life is what you make it” ain’t bad either. Continue reading “”

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Long-time travelers will recognize this photo as a late ’80s Alaska Airlines commercial coach seat.

During all my miles as a travel photographer, I only saw this view once. Red sunset and red hair.

The last thing I ever wanted to see is what we are all going through now. Continue reading “”

THE CONVENIENCE OF TRUTH

A good friend of mine, whom I admire greatly, reminded me of the convenience of truth. It’s a lot easier than embellishing or outright lying. You will never have to remember what you said, because the story you told never has to be changed or corrected. Continue reading “”

FOR YOUR IRISH EYES

Classic relief. A 1960s Irish Green Porsche 356 Carrera 2 Cabriolet ready for St. Patrick’s Day! Continue reading “”

QUEEN OF THE SLIPSTREAM

OK, I’m on a Van binge. Here is one of my favorite tunes he wrote about a long distance relationship.

Now we call it social distancing.

Continue reading “”

HYMNS TO THE SILENCE

Recorded 20 years ago, this Van Morrison release is my go to album when I’m feeling the strains of being a freelance photographer, writer, and filmmaker. Continue reading “”

MPG FINALIST FOR BEST AUTOMOTIVE PHOTO IN 2019

Thanks to the Motor Press Guild for selecting my image as a finalist in the annual Bob D’Olivo Award for “Best Photography”. Continue reading “”

SELFIES

The subject was sure to come up sooner or later.

I avoid well-known scenic overlooks, unless I need to photograph them on assignment. Fortunately, I spent my early travel photography career hanging out at the best spots before they became widely discovered. Continue reading “”

NIKON F APOLLO

Here’s a sweetheart from the past. It’s the last version of the classic Nikon F film camera, commonly known as an “Apollo” type, a 35mm SLR produced from 1971 to 1973. This one’s from my collection shown with the ultra-fast 55mm F/1.2 Nikkor lens. Continue reading “”