Author: Randy Wells

FACES

Released in 1971, A Nod Is As Good As a Wink… to a Blind Horse remains The Faces definitive album. While “Stay With Me” is their all-time rocker, I’m a bit partial to “You’re So Rude”.

Not politically correct today, or perhaps ever, but their songs sure worked during the closing credits of Sahara, one of my fave movies with Penolope Cruz and Matthew McConaughey. Continue reading “”

NEW COVER THIS MONTH

Everyone knows Porsche is my favorite marque. So, it’s with much pleasure that I announce my latest cover for the Porsche Club of America’s national magazine Panorama. It’s about the people with this club. That’s why I love working with them so much.

Austin Urfer and his father decided to buy a 944 Turbo together. “All in the Family” is my September 2022 cover feature, where they share their journey together, with a bit of my personal journalistic slant added in. Enjoy this PCA “Youth Issue”, lots of good stuff!

INTENTION, OBSTACLE, CONSCIENCE, OUTCOME

Doing it right takes more than just talent and attention to detail. It also helps if you have the experience to pull off the job under any conditions.

That’s why a major car manufacturer hired me last week, and why you should too (shameless plug).

(Photo of Randy – Andrea Wells, circa 2021)

WILLIAM KLEIN PASSES AT AGE 96

William Klein was an American-born photographer and filmmaker noted for his ironic approach and use of unusual photographic techniques in the context of photojournalism and fashion photography. He was ranked 25th on Professional Photographer’s list of 100 most influential photographers. Along with Robert Frank, Klein is considered among the fathers of street photography.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II

Britain’s longest-reigning monarch died today at age 96. I was in London the week Princess Diana was killed in Paris. If this next week is anything like what I saw then, and it surely will be, it’ll be something to experience. The English have always had a special relationship with the queen mother, and it will on full display everywhere.

CAROL MADONNA AND HER PORSCHE 356

Carol Madonna of Southern California is the proud owner of this 356B Super 90 in metallic blue, a color that matches the nearby Pacific Ocean perfectly. Her independent nature is encouraging to see as she frequently tours to Porsche club events solo and with friends. Congrats for being published in the latest issue of the Porsche 356 Registry magazine with your cool car!

Porsche 356 Registry Magazine

THANK YOU PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION PORSCHE CLUB OF AMERICA

It’s an honor to have my Porsche photographs gracing the revolving image banner of my PCA region’s website home page.

A member since 1996, I’ve photographed local events and many member’s cars. My images have also been featured in the region’s award-winning magazine, Spiel, and several have made the cover.

PNWR PCA

Thanks again guys and gals!

MY FATHER WAS CHUCK WELLS

Chuck Wells and his Alaskan king crab boat, the F/V Shaman, from 40 years ago were little known on the Internet until an on-line article appeared last year.

My father was one of the shrewdest people I’ve ever known. He was way ahead of his time. Although he made and lost millions, I’m still proud of him. I made this image onboard in 60 knot seas, which was our limit for pulling 800 pound pots.

When he stopped fishing crab in the late ’90s, the concept of a “World’s Deadliest Catch” dramatic TV documentary was just getting started. Continue reading “”

THE LAST ST

My favorite 911.

In the latest Porsche Club of America’s national magazine Panorama, my photographs illustrate a feature about the last 1972 911ST built. I shot this four years ago, and, even though some stories can take a while to make it into a magazine, I’m absolutely thrilled to see it in print now! We kept it B/W, and the writer Jay Gillotti did a great job with the text. Thanks, PCA!

GARY EMORY

Gary Emory and his son Rod represent the best of modern day Porsche fabricators. Their 356 outlaws are legendary. I’ve known them both for over 20 years. They are the real deal and continue to contribute to the Porsche 356 hot rod community every day as they have for decades.

Gary’s original vision and Rod’s hands-on artistry have produced hundreds of iconic renditions of the cars many of us love.

Check out my in-depth feature on Gary and the family in the latest PCA Panorama Magazine.

Panorama Magazine

THINGS HAVE CHANGED

People are crazy and times are strange
I’m locked in tight, I’m out of range
I used to care, but things have changed

These lyrics are from 2000. Always ahead of his time, Bob Dylan remains the only artist who can write like this.

Yeah, I’m listening to a lot of his stuff lately.

MOBILE FIDELITY CUTS THEIR VINYL FROM DIGITAL FILES!

Well, for the past several years anyway, and maybe longer than that. Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs has just admitted to working from Direct Stream Digital (DSD) copies to cut their LP reissues labeled Original Master Recording on the cover. Wow!

As audiophiles, we knew the MFSL SACDs were made using DSD files. Those are DDD after all.

Not for the LPs… we didn’t know about them not being AAA, until now. Not cool, especially considering their premium pricing. Continue reading “”

BECOME COMFORTABLE WITH BEING UNCOMFORTABLE

We are entering a new era, and, as an artist, you will most likely feel uncomfortable.

Life will require more from you. You cannot escape the world into a numbing existence and still make a difference.

Creatives are necessary for this next step. Do what you can to become a part of it.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE YOUR PHOTO MIGHT SHOW UP

The Chicane is an on-line blog that features what they consider the best automotive images. Surprisingly, one of my photos was featured on their blogscroll in May, and I just came across it. I guess they found it on Tumblr where photo credits are rare. Uncredited here, when you drag and drop it, buried in the jpeg metadata is my 2013 copyright notice. No worries…