Author: Randy Wells

THE LOS ANGELES PETERSEN MUSEUM “WE ARE PORSCHE” EXHIBIT

From PCA.ORG:

“The Petersen Automotive Museum is known for hosting some of the most impressive exhibitions celebrating the automobile. The museum will once again host a new exhibition, called ‘We are Porsche,’ officially opening to the public April 16. For those who want an extra special experience, they should look into booking a spot on April 15, the opening preview day.

The exhibit features 40 Porsche spanning all eras since the 1950s that tell the story of Porsche progression from boutique sports car manufacturer to powerhouse automaker. From Porsche 904 to 907, 356 to 986, new and old 935s, and so much more, it’s worth checking out ‘We Are Porsche’ whether on opening day after.”

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FIRST CAME CELL PHONE CAMERA APPS, THEN AI. NOW THERE’S GPT.

Artificial Intelligence is readily available for photographs and is in production for video at various platforms like Adobe. Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (GPT) is now being readied by Microsoft and others for word processing text and conversations. The goal seems to be to increase productivity at a monthly cost to subscribers.

In the short term, writing run through GPT will be supplemented with “automated human-like enhancements”. In the long term, everything will appear more and more similar and homogenous, and no longer will that work be copyrightable. Unfortunately, everyone will probably think they are a photographer and a writer aided by AI and GPT, whether or not they have any real talent. It’s a brave new world for the artist, once again.

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Image of a man sitting under a palapa in Bora Bora, Tahiti, French Polynesia, model released by Randy Wells

WHERE TO GO IN MARCH

About this time of year I grow tired of the PNW winter rain and yearn for someplace warm and dry.

Tahiti and Australia make my short list, as do closer locales like Hawaii and Mexico. I still pine for that bungalow on the beach in Bora Bora, where I spent a winter week below the equator in 1991.

Cumulus Clouds over AZ

ACCEPTANCE, NOT EXPECTATIONS

Not everyone seeks perfection. In contrast, I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist. It stems from my belief that things can always be better.

As I’ve matured, that trait has been somewhat subdued by my need to be more mindful of others. Judging others and criticizing behavior is not where I want to be. As I let go of that, my life becomes easier. And in today’s world, anything that simplifies my journey is most welcome.

(Photo: Randy Wells – Un-manipulated sky in Arizona)

BECOME WHO YOU ARE

Native-Cordova-Alaska-travel-photographer-Randy-Wells, Image of a bald eagle in flight on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, the bald eagle is a bird of prey and national bird and symbol of the United States of America

Friedrich Nietzsche was never the easiest philosopher to understand.

Another way of saying this is, “Be your own best version of your self.”

Here are more of his aphorisms:

Nietzche Quotes

2-14-23

LEICA Q

I use this original Leica Q for most of my personal work. It’s worn but my favorite mirrorless camera. The Q is so intuitive to use, and, unlike my cell phone, the files it produces are sharp, do not need work and are gorgeous straight out of the camera. Match it with a small DJI Pro drone, and you are ready for almost anything in a 28mm wide full-frame view. Despite what you may been told, 24 MP RAW is the sweet spot in digital image files.

I don’t have to worry about this camera. It’s durable and reliable even after some hard knocks. I bought it from the Bellevue Leica Store by trading in an extra Leica M. It works every time, and is the ultimate travel camera for me.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

My buddy Chad Kassem at Acoustic Sounds is killing it with his new high resolution Steely Dan reissues.

So far, I’ve received the UHQR (Ultra High Quality Recording) 180 gram LPs of Can’t Buy a Thrill and Countdown to Ectasy, both of which sounds phenomenal.

Next up is Pretzel Logic followed by Katy Lied and The Royal Scam. That last album will have a hard time topping my White Label Promo LP. Continue reading “”

2-6-23

SAMPLE REEL – HOT ROD FILMS from hotrodfilms.com on Vimeo.

CAR VIDEOS + WRITING + STILLS

Since 1992, I’ve pursued an organic approach to seeing the world, working full-time as a visual artist.

I took my style of still photography and writing, then added motion and audio to produce emotional cinematic narratives. To this day, I continue to create consistent on-target branding for discerning collectors, on-line car sales, race teams, car manufacturers, and automotive suppliers worldwide.

Check out my new reel above!

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BRIAN REDMAN – PORSCHE RACING ICON

I was recently called in to be the official photographer for a regional PCA tech session featuring the famous Porsche race driver Brian Redman. Brian’s racing record reads like a list of every famous team and venue. Alfa Romeo, BMW, Ferrari, Lola, Cooper, Brabham, McLaren, BRM, Shadow, Chevron, Ford, Jaguar, Aston Martin, and, of course, Porsche.

I was able to spend some time alone with Brian, a very nice man. My photographs were used in both the regional and national Porsche Club of America January 2023 publications.

1-11-23

JEFF BECK R.I.P.

1-19-23

DAVID CROSBY R.I.P.

This is getting old. Literally.

Guess I’m going to have to keep this blog from becoming an obituary column…

Jeff Beck, one of the greatest guitarists ever, of The Yardbirds, etc., passed away last week from a case of acute bacterial meningitis. He was otherwise in great shape at 78.

David Crosby of the Byrds and CSNY fame passed away today after a long illness at the age of 81. Continue reading “”