Category: Photography Blog

REFLECTIONS ON ERNST HAAS

“There are almost too many possibilities. Photography is in direct proportion with our time: multiple, faster, instant. Because it is so easy, it will be more difficult.” – Ernst Haas

“Living in a time of the increasing struggle of the mechanization of man, photography has become another example of this paradoxical problem of how to humanize, how to overcome a machine on which we are thoroughly dependent… the camera…” – Ernst Haas

“The camera doesn’t make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE.” – Ernst Haas

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LOOKING FORWARD

2015 is sure to be an interesting year. The Porsche community has a lot to look forward to with Rennsport Reunion V scheduled for the fall in Monterey. Held every four years, it is a must see event for any car enthusiast. I will be producing a documentary film on Roger Grago to debut there, and I’ll be revisiting Speed Week at the Bonneville Salt Flats for a future book. Also, there are some amazing editorial stories to come as well – Pre-A 356s, early 911 racing cars, an iconic 914-6, and many others.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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LOOKING BACK

I’d rather live in the moment, but sometimes it’s good to look back and consider life’s challenges. 2014 was one of those years for myself and many others. Becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable can be difficult. But, I’ve found it to be necessary for personal growth. By operating outside of your box, you can find your true strength and become uniquely creative. Basing your life’s purpose on what you really believe in is key. Continue reading “”

WHERE TO GO IN EUROPE THIS WINTER

Forget London and Paris, too cold. Same for the rest of northern Europe.

Here are a couple of getaway spots to view art in relative warmth. In Barcelona check out the Picasso and Miro museums. In Italy, well, you are spoilt for choice in art: Venice, Florence, or Rome. Finally, head to the islands off Naples, such as Procida pictured below, and be inspired for some R&R and photography. Continue reading “”

I BROKE ALL THE RULES

“NEVER shoot a car on a parking lot with stripes.”
“NEVER shoot a car in hard light.”
“NEVER shoot a car with just a rangefinder camera.”

Yup, I broke all the rules and still got published. Excellence Magazine #225 will arrive this month featuring a story I wrote and photographed on a DIY Porsche 912 project. Jason Thrupp is the owner, a New Zealander who relocated to Santa Barbara – two of my favorite destinations. Continue reading “”

PERSONAL WORK – 2014

Each December/January I post a personal work series – what I consider my best three images from a non-assignment single location during the year. It is an entirely subjective process, unlike my edited commercial work. Last year I posted three low key photos captured within a few days in Cabo San Lucas.

Image of Bonnville Salt Flats racers in Wendover, Utah, American Southwest
Image of a tire detail at the Bonnville Salt Flats, Utah, American Southwest

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TROUBLE FOCUSING A LEICA RANGEFINDER?

Some great advice here on zone focusing:

“Leica’s aren’t meant to be shot wide open in street photography. You can’t constantly nail f1.4 shots of people moving. Furthermore bokeh shots in street photography tend to be cliche, and you lose context of the background and environment. To be frank, very few great photos in history were shot wide open.” Continue reading “”

THE OLDEST 901 IN THE WEST TURNS 50

Everyone loves anniversaries. Porsche first announced the 50th for their 911 last fall. There’s only one catch – that celebration was for a pre-production model shown at the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show, a car with a non-operational engine and a 356 rear suspension.

For the first complete 911s, named 901s, their golden anniversary has finally arrived. Coming soon to a newsstand near you is an Excellence Magazine feature on 901 #032, Dean Watts’ October 1964 build Porsche race car. This example is one of less than 235 made that year, and one of the very few that are actually 901s – because Porsche changed the model designation to 911 right after this car was built. Continue reading “”

BELLEVUE CAR STUDIO GETS A MAKEOVER

The car studio space I moved into near Seattle has recently undergone a major upgrade. In addition to adding the option of either a black or white background, a 30 foot square white silk fabric has been mounted to the ceiling to reduce any unwanted reflections.

With seamless on the floor and 4000 watts of light either bounced off or through the silk, a uniform presentation has been created. The results are beautiful and will continue to just get better, making it one of the best auto salons in Washington state. Continue reading “”