Author: Randy Wells

R.I.P. CONTANTINE MANOS

Constantine “Costa” Manos passed away peacefully at age 90 last week. He was a brilliant pioneer of color photography and a member of Magnum Photos. Along with Ernst Haas and Alex Webb, his color work influenced me deeply.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Image of the Porsche Effect exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles, California, America west coast by Randy Wells

Here’s is a holiday celebration at something called the “Porsche Effect” in the Petersen Museum in L.A. a few years ago. Porsche’s open-tail design on the 917-30 is the background. Have a good one!

12-19-24

ORIGINS – SEARCHING FOR THE BEGINNING OF PORSCHE HOT ROD HISTORY – A PERSONAL VIEWPOINT

Congrats to Dan Macdonald for his feature in the latest issue of Panorama. It was a pleasure chasing his 1957 Porsche Speedster around the hills of Marin, California. The photo shoot went exceedingly well with lots of possibilities for publication coverage. What makes this Porsche special is its history of being the 1968 E Production Regional SCCA Champion during the “Speedster Wars” of the mid to late 1950s and 1960s.

Before the early 911 hot rod club R Gruppe, a Porsche 356 crew was founded in the Oakland area called the East Bay Grease. Several members were followers of something called “The Speedster Wars”, a mostly west coast phenomenon that paid homage to driving stripped down, hopped up versions of the Porsche Speedster to and from airports and temporary tracks where they would compete for how well they were driven that day.

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PERSONAL WORK 2024

Followers of my blog know that at the end of each year I post a series of three personal photographs made at a non-assignment single location. Here’s a selection from one evening last month on the east side of California’s Sierra Nevada range.

PRO BONO WORK

It’s important that I do at least one pro bono assignment a year. It’s always for a non-profit organization or a worthy cause that cannot pay my standard fee. Like volunteer work for a local food bank or trail club, it helps me feel as though I’m contributing to my community. Look for some photos I made for the PNW region PCA magazine Spiel featuring a TechEd session with my friends Rod Emory and Cameron Healy.

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE

Every so often I get an inquiry from someone I know who has a friend who wants to be an automotive photographer. I like to help others when I can, so I usually start with something like this:

Success means something different for everyone. For me it means being paid well for doing what I truly believe I was meant to do.

As you know, I have been and continue to be very fortunate working non-stop in the automotive media business. That doesn’t mean I am any less compassionate to those starting out. Here’s why. Continue reading “”

11-11-24

R.I.P. PAUL CAPONIGRO

A famous photographer who was under-appreciated has passed away. I own three of his signed prints but never met him. In my opinion, Caponigro was the Ernst Haas of B&W photography.

(Photo: Galaxy Apple by Paul Caponigro)

RESPECT

Being respectful of others whose ideas are different than your own is a part of a mindful life. Actions are even more important, as is being mindful that some choices acted upon can be hurtful to others in a negative way. For myself, I alway remove my shoes after asking the owner’s permission when photographing car interiors. It’s just the right thing to do.

STORYTELLER, NOT MYTH MAKER

With social media being what it is, there are all sorts of myth makers out there. Facebook and other platforms were never meant to be journalistic. Unfortunately, people begin to believe what they see, read and hear on a constant basis.

Building community enthusiasm for a worthy cause is one thing, but providing misinformation or engaging in flat out deception for personal gain whether it’s on social media or in print is another. You will never find that coming from me as an automotive journalist. When people ask me why that is, I always reply “I’m from Alaska.” It’s become a bit of an inside joke.

(Photo of Randy: Andrea Wells)

10-20-24

THIS SITE HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS ONE OF THE BEST AUTOMOTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY BLOGS AND WEBSITES IN 2024

Feedspot ranked this page #7 out of the top 35 car blog sites for 2024. I’m very honored of course and honestly a bit shocked. I began this site in 2010 more for myself than anyone else, so it’s always a surprise to see how many folks visit. It began as a great way to keep writing regularly as an automotive journalist, and it still fulfills that role. Thanks for visiting, and thanks to all at Feedspot for this distinction.

FEEDSPOT

10-14-24

R GRUPPE MAGAZINE ARTICLE

The early Porsche 911 hot rod clubs known as R Gruppe is featured in the high quality automotive magazine Vicarious this month. My words and photos cover the 2024 R Gruppe gathering in Santa Fe, New Mexico coinciding with the club’s 25 year anniversary. Being in the club all that time has provided me with a unique opportunity to comment on a brotherhood of 300 members who have a common love for the sports purpose 911. Being easily misunderstood, it’s an easy thing to get wrong. Thanks to the club for the great ride.

Vicarious Magazine

LUFT 1O

Luft 10 is happening today at the Universal Studios backlot in L.A. For those who are new to Luftgekühlt (German for “air-cooled), it’s a Porsche event that celebrates a meeting place where new ideas can thrive in a focused, yet casual atmosphere surrounded by a curated selection of historically significant and intriguing air-cooled Porsches. Their motto at Luft is, “We thrive on unique venues, engaging people, and a hefty dose of creative expression. These elements are always at the heart of what we do.”

Organizers Pat Long and Jeff Zwart (above) made sure that every Porsche at Luft was matched to an equally iconic backdrop. For budding car photographers, it was like shooting fish in a barrel.

Look for my story in a future issue of Porsche 356 Registry Magazine.