Category: Photography Blog

EUGENE RICHARDS – PHOTOGRAPHER OF TRUTH AND REALITY VS. LIES AND APPEARANCES

“As for the evolution of (my) photography, I’m probably wrong in saying that this evolution is a reflection of our times. Where the truth of things is less valuable than the appearance of things. Where wealth is aspirational, and people without wealth less and less important.”

“I’d like to think that the quality of work is paramount. But it has become clear, that as in contemporary politics, being seen is perhaps more important than what you’re saying. I still like to believe though that it’s the work that counts.”

-Eugene Richards

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Image of a 1955 jade Metallic Green Pre A Porsche 356 tan interior at sunset, Santa Barbara, California, America west coast by Randy Wells

CAR INTERIORS ON LOCATION ARE MY FORTE

It’s something I love to do well. The time and experience required is more than most realize. You have to recognize the best location intuitively, anticipate the light organically, and understand the quality of the car that needs to be accentuated realistically. When it all comes together in a still image, it is truly magical.

JUST BACK FROM A SEVEN CAR STUDIO PHOTO SHOOT

Escaping the summer heat in the SW (110 degrees F), was accomplished inside an A/C studio. For three days it was warm but reasonably comfortable inside for me (not my flash heads), but the video needed to be filmed outdoors one sunrise at 98 degrees. Continue reading “”

8-5-23

IT’S SHAPING UP TO BE MY BUSIEST SEASON IN YEARS

Porsche’s 75th Anniversary has a lot to do with why I am so booked. Between Le Mans, Goodwood, Rennsport Reunion and Porsche Parade, I’m being so stretched that I cannot take on all the small jobs people might want me for. I’m not complaining. Most automotive photo folks have not been as fortunate, as budgets have been floundering for years for all but a few clients. Still lucky to be able to live the dream after nearly 40 years.

7-26-23

PURE PHOTOGRAPHY WILL BE REPLACED BY AI

Photo-illustration has already replaced pure photography for what the masses see on a regular basis. On Instagram, people look more beautiful than they actually are and landscapes look nothing like they are in person. The cell phone is now the new reality for most people under the age of 30. It’s all about appearances today. Authenticity and integrity are becoming more precious. Fortunately, some museums, art galleries, blogs, and books exhibit fine art photography made from film or unprocessed digital captures for those who are interested.

For reference, the first photograph that still exists was created 200 years ago, the first Leica camera using 35mm film was made 100 years ago, and the first camera phone was built 25 years ago.

Un-manipulated photography will not completely cease to exist by 2025, but it will be far less relevant than it is now and much harder to identify. Stock photography used for commercial purposes has been pretty much dead for a while and will completely disappear as a viable profession. Commissioned commercial and documentary work will likely continue into the near future. Fortunately, that’s what I do for a living.

MORE LE MANS CLASSIC

Challenging is how I would describe my week in France. What matters is I came back with the goods. That’s what being a professional is all about. My Porsche images are being held for publication, so here’s something different!

VICARIOUS COVER AND EIGHT PAGE PORTFOLIO

It is a great honor to have mu Ferrari photographs featured on the cover and over eight pages inside the Summer 2023 issue of an automotive lifestyle magazine that is of the highest quality and standards, Vicarious.

Vicarious is a high-end car magazine with an informative on-line website. Reading this high-quality publication transports me to living vicariously through the men and women who enjoy a unique lifestyle. Many of the car owners featured made their own way through life from meager beginnings, yet found their calling and succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. I’m lucky to tag along on occasion!

Vicarious Magazine

FINALIST IN THE 2022 MOTOR PRESS GUILD BEST PHOTO AWARD

I am humbled to have a photograph selected again as a finalist in the MPG Best of Automotive Journalism Awards.

“The Last Porsche 911 ST Race Car” image above was an opening spread in the August 2022 issue of Porsche Club of America’s Panorama Magazine. A couple of days ago it was announced as a finalist in the Bob D’Olivo Award for Photography.

Wow! It’s always an honor to receive recognition from MPG whose membership is a who’s who of U.S. car journalists. My heartfelt thanks to all!

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ANOTHER TRIPTYCH.

I had so much fun making the previous one, that I felt compelled to create another triptych. The more you practice your creativity the more access you’ll have to it.

“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” -Andy Warhol

5-25-23

CRAZY DAY

First thing that happened for me today was an email from Vicarious Magazine with a new cover photo of mine and an eight page PDF profiling my Ferrari photography (what an honor!). Look for it this summer.

Then came a post on instagram: @porschepanoramamagazine

It featured my photos of a bright green Porsche Cayman S with an equally bold red interior. The images were published in PCA’s Panorama Magazine a couple of months ago. Wow, that was an even wilder experience with over 3,000 likes and 150 comments in just a few hours! It appears this car’s custom over-the-top build and color combo stirred up a bunch of emotions. I’m just content to sit back and watch as events unfold!

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MAY IS NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY MONTH – TRIPTYCH

Here’s me having fun with some photos I’ve made that seen unrelated to each other. Together they combine to make an emotional composite of sorts. It’s all about being creative!

RUF TURBO R – WORLD’S FASTEST CAR IN 1988

It was my honor to photograph and write about this rare, unique and fast RUF Turbo R based on Porsche’s 993. This very limited edition AWD car (1 of 4) is a beauty and owned by some very nice folks. Thanks again to all at PCA Panorama for publishing this feature in the April 2023 issue. (Click image to make opening spread larger)

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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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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!