Author: Randy Wells

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ARTIST STATEMENT

It’s easy to force photography. You have so much control these days. But in reality, you really don’t have much of any. Life develops at its own rythym and pace. As a location photographer, it’s my job to capture it as it happens. That’s not always easy.

Each subject requires it’s own time to understand, and to reveal itself. That’s why personal projects are so rewarding to me. You have the time to explore a people or location, to begin to understand them. To let things unfold. Photo tip! Continue reading “”

Patrick Long racing at Chuckwalla in vintage Porsche 2.5L 911ST spec race car from Chad P. on Vimeo.

PATRICK LONG IN A 911ST

Think you can drive a 911? Well, check out this video.

Chad Plavan is no stranger to the early 911 faithful, and Patrick Long loves to drive Chad’s car. It’s a beautiful blue ’69 ST bodied 2.5L spec racer.

I saw this 911 at Rennsport Reunion IV recently and it’s simply awesome. Patrick is probably the best young Porsche factory race car driver around. Incredible combo. Continue reading “”

THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST

I’ve blogged before about how much I enjoy the central California coast. Having just driven from Bodega Bay to Crescent City along coastal Hwy 1, my love for the northern CA coast has been reignited.

Most of the towns I spent time in were located in Mendocino county: Sea Ranch (great walking trails and vacation rentals), Guallala (killer B-BQ), Point Arena (check out breakfast at the organic cafe next to the dock), Irish Beach (idyllic setting), Albion/River (rent a boat), and Mendocino (kayak or shop away). As for the road to Leggett, I missed my 911. Continue reading “”

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2012 PORSCHE RSR

Porsche just announced the 2012 GT3 RSR, which is to be raced at the Le Mans 24 Hours, the FIA World Endurance Championship, and the Le Mans Series in Europe and America. The water cooled engine is a 4.0 liter flat six that delivers 460 HP and comes equipped with a mandatory air-restrictor. A six-speed transmission is operated via paddle shifts on the steering wheel. Wheels are wider, new nose and rear panels are blended with flared front and rear wheel arches, and ducts in the rear side sections replace air scoop on the engine hood. Continue reading “”

PINK FLOYD : MEDDLE

Pink Floyd’s sixth album was their breakthrough record in many ways. Many PF fans believe the end started with the earlier departure of Syd Barrett, but this next line up created some great art rock, including this surreal soundscape. The cover photograph portrayed a close-up of an ear underwater. Continue reading “”

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BACK FROM CALIFORNIA:
RENNSPORT REUNION & CS&N REMASTERING

Wow, what a week..

This past week held some of the high points of my life. There were a couple of low points to be sure, but I can’t begin to tell you about it all (because I really can’t tell you..).

It started with Porsche’s Rennsport Reunion IV at Laguna Seca. I had a photography booth in the vendor area that I shared with early 911 parts guru Eric Linden. Thanks, Eric, for being so accommodating while I ran around taking photos like a crazy man. I shot a very cool cover story for Excellence magazine on Saturday morning that I will tell you about later. Continue reading “”

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ON BEING AN ARTIST TODAY – Randy’s Photo Tips

Sometimes I forget how hard it must be for young photographers and artists who face the challenges of today’s modern world.

I was recently compelled to post a comment on a blog buddy’s website. I saw a comment that gave advice on this stuff that seemed to come from a different culture. Maybe I’m just lucky to still be able to work at what I love, or maybe I’m just an old white guy…

Here’s what I wrote. Maybe it will help somebody somewhere.

“Simplify, simplify, simplify. And learn how to say no.” Continue reading “”

STEVE JOBS 1955-2011

I’ve only known two true visionaries who lived during the 20th Century. One was my mentor, photographer Ernst Haas (1921-1986). The other was Steve Jobs of Apple. Both were creative geniuses, both died too young.

It’s one thing to say, “A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.” It’s another to actually prove it worldwide several times over.

RIP

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Continue reading “”

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MICHAEL FREMER’S MUSICANGLE

I’m at once humbled and honored to announce that I am writing for Michael Fremer’s well-known music website, MusicAngle.com.

A senior contributing editor to Stereophile with his column “Analog Corner,” and before that a writer for The Absolute Sound, Listener and his former magazine The Tracking Angle, Michael is one of the most respected experts in all things high-end audio and analog. He was also one of the few champion defenders of vinyl when it was close to becoming a dead format in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Thanks to Michael and others, listening to LPs has made a comeback and is now a thriving audio experience. Continue reading “”

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PORSCHE SUPERCAR FOR 2015?

Pictured is the Porsche 918 RSR concept car, a potential long awaited replacement for 911 based race cars. What’s now being rumored is an additional model that would sit between the 911 GT2 RS and the 918 Spyder. This car, designated “project 960,” is being reported as a possible modular mid-engine design in the same territory as the Ferrari 458 Italia, McLaren MP4-12C and Lamborghini Gallardo. Power could come from a 3.8 liter twin-turbo flat 6-cylinder making 600-hp with a maximum torque of 550 lb-ft. Continue reading “”

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EXCELLENCE DEUX

John Straub and John Manning. Two great Porsche enthusiasts with two great cars. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to photograph and write about their 911s for the best Porsche magazine in America.

The October issue of Excellence features Straub’s “barn find patina queen” and Manning’s “all-out assault beast.” Both Porsche 911s, but each as different from one another as is physically possible. It was interesting to approach these two remarkable cars, knowing the treatment for each would need to reflect their opposite characters. Hopefully I have done justice to them both. Continue reading “”