ROGER GRAGO
A very popular Porsche/VW enthusiast and dear friend of mine is sick. After complaining of headaches, they found a mass behind his ear. Brain surgery was performed to remove it, and Roger will be released today. Continue reading “”
FLEETWOOD MAC
There have been at least three different versions of the band Fleetwood Mac over the years.
This rare video captures the short lived ’71-72 line up with rhythm guitarist Bob Welch on lead vocal, lead guitarist Danny Kirwin and keyboardist Christine McVie on back up vocals, and the band’s founders, Mick Fleetwood on drums and John McVie on bass. Here they are playing a live “Moses (Lay It All Down)” from the 1971 album Future Games – one of my faves. You will want an original UK LP with yellow cover for best sound. Continue reading “”
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO TIPS
In a couple of days I’m presenting an overview of travel photography to students at The Art Institute of Seattle. I’ve included my outline here for those who are interested:
1. Introduction
Choosing a destination – Research
Packing light – Pacing yourself, staying healthy
2. The Essential Ingredients
Culture: People, Crafts, Events, Recreation & Food
Architecture: Icons, Skylines, Attractions & Aerials
Geography: Landscape, Weather, Flora & Fauna
MORE IN THE NEWS
OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER MAGAZINE ARTICLE : 50 YEARS AFTER “TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY”
The current September 2010 issue of Outdoor Photographer magazine contains a five page article of my photographs covering my twelve year, 150,000 mile journey following John Steinbeck’s 1960 route from his travelogue Travels with Charley in Search of America. Read the whole story here!
IN THE MAIL AND ON THE NEWS STAND:
EXCELLENCE MAGAZINE FEATURES :
RICH LAMBERT AND RAY MCEVOY
The October 2010 issue of Excellence magazine features my text and photos on two early 911s: Rich Lambert’s white ’66 (above) and Ray McEvoy’s red real ’73 RS. These are both stunning machines. If you are a hot rod or Porsche fan, you can check them out here: Continue reading “”
PORSCHE 918 PROJECT
Asserting that super cars will still be around in the future despite rampant restrictions, Porsche developed a cost no-object hybrid concept car. It was unveiled in Monterey last week. Here’s one example of meeting automotive regulation and still succeeding in creating a high performance vehicle (even if it’s only a V-8). Kudos to Porsche for not going quietly. Think Steve McQueen in the 21st century. Continue reading “”
STEINBECK EXHIBIT
Just home from two weeks away on a very rewarding trip. I want to thank all the people involved with making my exhibit and film at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas a success: Colleen Bailey, Deborah Silguero, Paul Van de Carr, Thom and Gail Steinbeck, Susan Shillinglaw, McIntosh & Otis, Tony Straka, James Johnston, Kurt Henze, and last but not least my wife, Andrea Wells. Thanks also to Curtis Autenreith and Chuck Miller for their support. Continue reading “”
30TH ANNUAL STEINBECK FESTIVAL
“Journeys – Steinbeck Around the World”
Thursday, August 5th – Sunday, August 8th
NATIONAL STEINBECK CENTER, SALINAS CALIFORNIA
“We do not take a trip. A trip takes us.†–John Steinbeck
This coming weekend, set out for the open road.
Your destination: The world – today and at key moments in history, with John Steinbeck as your guide. Eat, drink, and dream of far horizons. Go behind the Iron Curtain in the 1960s and wander through Moscow, Krakow, Budapest. Stand at the Berlin Wall. Visit Rome, Paris, and Mexico. See literary landmarks around the globe. Drive through the Badlands of North Dakota with a poodle just like Steinbeck did 50 years ago. Create your own journey. Continue reading “”
PIKES PEAK IN A PORSCHE GT3 “RS”
Fellow Porsche photographer and film maker, Jeff Zwart, placed sixth overall and first in the Time Attack class beating the previous record at Pikes Peak, Colorado by 38 seconds in a GT3 updated to 2010 RS specs. Continue reading “”
MORE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES & PHOTO TIPS
What one does is what counts, not what one intends to do. -Picasso
Success is what you give yourself, fame is what others give you. -Deanne Delbridge
In every artist there is poetry. In every human being there is the poetic element. We know, we feel, we believe. As knowers, we are like the scientist, relating through logical determination. As feelers, we are like poets, relating the unrelated through intuition. As believers, we are only accepting our human limitations. The artist must express the summation of his (her) feeling, knowing and believing, through the unity of his (her) work. One cannot photograph art, one can only live it in the unity of his (her) vision, as well as in the breadth of his (her) humanity, vitality and understanding. -Ernst Haas
WEIDMAN WHEELS
There are very few wheel men in the business who are as experienced with Porsche Fuchs as Harvey Weidman of Oroville California. His knowledge is encyclopedic, and he is as down to earth as anyone I know. I recently had the opportunity to visit his shop twice and was very impressed with the care and service he provides to his customers. From repairs to refinishing, to even remanufacturing rare wheels, Harvey can do it all. Continue reading “”
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
Here’s wishing you safe travels and the freedom to do what you want today.
Some American quotes:
“The United States are essentially the greatest poem.” – Walt Whitman
“Each generation of Americans has to face circumstances not of its own choosing, by which its character is measured and its spirit tested.” – Jimmy Carter
“The great social adventure of America is no longer the conquest of the wilderness but the absorption of fifty different peoples.” – Walter Lippmann Continue reading “”
OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER ARTICLE
The September 2010 issue of Outdoor Photographer magazine will present a five page article with my photographs titled “50 Years After Travels With Charley.†This feature will cover my twelve year, 150,000 mile journey following John Steinbeck’s route from his 1962 travelogue. My book agent is contacting prospective publishers about my work-in-progress project, which celebrates the publication of Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley in Search of America fifty years later. Continue reading “”
DECIPHERING BEATLES STAMPERS
I’ve had some inquiries on how to decipher the small markings in the vinyl next to the label on UK Beatles LPs. You can deduce the numbering system for early EMI pressings by looking at the label and going to 6 o’clock in the dead wax (run off groove) area of the vinyl. The following holds true for all records pressed by EMI during the 60’s and 70’s. Continue reading “”
PORSCHE WINS GT2 CLASS AT LE MANS
After a three year absence from the podium at Le Mans, Porsche returned with a GT3RSR winning its class at the worlds greatest 24 hour endurance race. Factory drivers Marc Lieb (Germany), Richard Lietz (Austria) and Wolf Henzler (Germany) piloted their German Felbermayr-Proton Porsche to a two-lap GT2 win over the second-place Ferrari. With this victory Porsche bested some very strong opponents, including BMW, Chevrolet Corvette, Jaguar and Spyker. The latest GT3RSR currently holds the championship lead for both the European and American Le Mans Series, and was the most successful GT race car of 2009. Continue reading “”
HIDDEN WILDS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
In my travels I sometimes come across a slice of Americana so remote and hard to get to that it remains essentially unchanged from earlier times. As you might imagine, locations like this are becoming increasingly scarce. The only thing that keeps these communities isolated from progress are roads so treacherous that transport along them is ill-advised.
I recently came across such a location on my last trip to California. Continue reading “”