Author: Randy Wells

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…

THE 4TH OF JULY

It seems the 4th of July means something different every year.

For me, what I feel is sadness. At the same time, I’m grateful that I experienced the best of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. It was a wonderful time to be young in America.

I made this image of Mt. Rushmore from a low-flying helicopter in the ’80s. I probably wouldn’t be allowed to do it today. Not sure I’d want to.

The image below is one I made last month.

Think deeper. Be safe.

BACK FROM PORSCHE PARADE

Once again, the Porsche Club of America sent me to cover their annual Parade. This year the big event was held in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. Over 1000 Porsches attended, among them this rare 1992 Euro Carrera 911 RS in Raspberry.

Thanks to the whole Panorama Magazine team for all the good times and photo ops. Look for my features to be published in the coming months.

Continue reading “”

INSTA REPEAT

Here’s an image I made in the late ’80s. It was extensively published in print and has been copied since by other photographers many times. With the advent of social media, this phenomenon is in hyperdrive. Shooting for the approval of others (i.e. chasing likes or followers) is just plain dumb. It’s almost as bad as photographing for unsustainably low pay. How bad are things? Just check this out:

INSTA REPEAT

JUST BACK FROM A LONG ROAD TRIP

It’s good to be back home, but it’s also exciting to have had such a productive journey last month. I photographed 15 cars, 11 of them in 4 days, and made some new friends in the Porsche 356 and 911 communities along the way. Here’s a photo I made with my Leica Q on a windy day along Rte 66, one of my favorite roads.

IT’S A GREAT TIME TO BE A B.S. ARTIST

Today, everyone seems to be looking for an easy answer. Nobody wants to do the work. So they rely on the loudest person in the room. Problem is, that person is usually so self absorbed that they no longer know when they are lying. What they do know is that it’s easier to plead ignorance or ask for forgiveness when found out.

Back in 1989, there were a trio of women who realized what was what, and they were very talented.

The Roches are three sisters whose voices blend together amazingly well. They are Maggie (baritone), Terre (soprano), and Suzzy Roche (alto). Their albums are full of sly tunes and received some airplay in the ’80s. Here’s a song of theirs I’ve always liked.

STILL ONE OF MY FAVORITE STORIES

Jeff Zwart is a long time hero of mine who has never let anyone down with his fabulous work – photographing, speaking, and filmmaking.

Whoever he associates himself with is blessed. I feel lucky to be his friend.

Happy Birthday Jeff!

5-16-22

R GRUPPE TREFFEN

St. George, Utah near Zion National Park was the location of last weekend’s 21st R Gruppe Treffen. About 50 early Porsche 911s made the trek from parts across the USA. Here’s a shot above of a Silver ’72 made from a ’70 coupe all the way from Seattle. A majestic setting and a great group of people.