Author: Randy Wells

ROYALTY IS ON THE MENU!

For those who receive the Porsche Club of America’s national magazine, Panorama, a rare treat is coming your way. The November 2025 issue will feature my photos and story on the 1973 12 Hours of Sebring race winning Porsche 911 RSR.

This exclusive feature is one of the highest honors I have received in my automotive photojournalism career. Hope you like it.

The story begins the day after Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood of Brumos Racing won the 24 Hours of Daytona in a white Porsche M491 Carrera 911. That’s when they went looking for another 2.8L Carrera they could campaign at the 12 Hours of Sebring, which was only six weeks away.


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WINTER HOLIDAYS ARE IMPORTANT

Especially if you live in the northern United States.

Heading from Seattle to Las Vegas for F-1 assignment next!

Image of Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari during a Formula One race at Hockenheim, Germany by Randy Wells

CINEMATIC WIDESCREEN

Framing has an amazing impact of how an image, stills or motion, is perceived.

It can be confusing when describing a stills style as cinematic widescreen. Here is a reference for different aspect ratios. Cinematic widescreen is the widest format at 21:9. Traditional full frame 35mm stills is 3:2, which is entirely different, unless you are shooting side by side panoramas.

NO DRAMA PLEASE

Yes, I collect vinyl. Going to record stores and flipping through LPs helps me relax from the jealousy, pettiness and drama that can sometimes confront me in my line of work. It’s a chance to unplug from digital distractions and feed my soul. When life’s not fair, I try to solve problems, not make them.

Here I am recently at my favorite store in Seattle, Easy Street Records. Fantastic selection. Great service. Pub food in house. Go upstairs for the collectible section. Jive Time is also recommended. Good Stuff!

(Photo: Andrea Wells)

MISSING DIANE KEATON

Quirky but irresistible. An actress and photographer, among other things, Diane was a funny, adorable iconoclast who earned my respect. She was an exemplary example for independent women everywhere with her bold ideas, leading fashion sense, and choice in films that she was a part of. She will be missed.

(Self portrait: Diane Keaton)

PCA PARADE ISSUE COVER!

My sincere thanks to the team at Porsche Club of America for all I was gifted with this month, including the cover of Panorama Magazine, two features of images, and the majority of the Parade photo coverage. David Mathews was the writer I teamed up with on many of these pieces, and he did a masterful job. Check out the October issue!

My best regards to the PCA Executive Council, Rob Sass, Richard Baron, Jeff Majeske, Margaret Kelly, and Emma Smith for their generous support!

PCA Panorama

A BUSY TIME OF THE YEAR

Randy Wells, Seattle, Santa Barbara, Car, Photographer, Automotive, Photography, Image of the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, Pacific Northwest by Randy Wells

In the life of an automotive photographer and writer, there is always something to do. Much of it has to do with running a business: contacting clients and car collectors, sending estimates, and planning for the next assignment. Yet, the best part of my job remains the creative side: making photographs and writing.

When I’m not on deadline, I have a chance to do the creative part for myself. Fall is always a great time of the year for that, even if I tend to be busy with tying up summer projects. This year, I plan on traveling from my base in Seattle to the Columbia River Gorge. That’s where I can be free to make landscape images that are both abstract and informative. Fall color will be peaking there soon. Check it out!

LOVE NOT HATE

The Capitol, Washington DC

There is love and there is fear. Fear spawns hate in those who choose it. Choose love instead.

Everything else is just opinion. So far, that’s still legal to voice in the USA, depending on who you talk to. I find it better to say nothing, because you never know who’s listening.

THIS JUST IN  


 
THE PARADOX OF CREATIVE INDIVIDUALS

1. Creative individuals often possess an unusual amount physical energy, yet they also value stillness and quiet reflection. They can spend hours in quiet contemplation, waiting for the right moment for creativity to arrive.

2. They tend to be intellectually sharp while maintaining a sense of childlike wonder, seeing the world in a way most people don’t. Continue reading “”

8-25-25

GARY EMORY HAS PASSED

It is with a deep sense of loss that I report Gary Emory of Emory Motorsports, “The Original Porsche Outlaw”, has passed. No one came close to his influence on the hobby of hot rodding 356s and early 911s.

PHOTOGRAPHY ADVICE I’VE COME ACROSS LATELY

Most photo advice I see is overly simplified and often wrong. These posts from writer Alex Cooke at Fstoppers are worth reading if you are interested in becoming a better photographer in today’s world.

Mindfulness and walking meditation in photography

And now some hard truths from Cooke:

Ten brutal truths about amateur photography

10 ways social media destroyed photography

Want to make photography a business, but don’t have a trust fund?

5 fatal photography business mistakes

(Illustration: Author Unknown)

SING A SONG FOR DEPRESSED ANGELS FALLING FROM ABOVE

“I won’t retire, but I might retread. Seems like that guy singin’ this song been doing it for a long time. Is there anything he knows that he ain’t said?
Sing a song for Freedom. Sing a song for Love. Sing a song for depressed angels falling from above.”

When it comes to folk-rock music, something I’ve been into for most of my life, Neil is still tops in my book, especially on Classic Records vinyl. He’s been saying it since the ’60s. Here’s one from 2002. Spin it with a little love and affection in every thing you do…

IT’S WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY WEEK

Make a photograph that’s surprising. One you haven’t seen before. That’s the challenge to give yourself every day. Just don’t be this guy.

Next week, a look at today’s “photography”.