Author: Randy Wells

JFK REMEMBERED

This week marks the 50th anniversary of U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s assasination on Novemebr 22, 1963. It was undoubtedly the darkest day for our nation and its National Security. Imagine what would have happened if had he not been killed. It’s of any consequence, there’s only 25 years left until the public is able to view the CIA’s documents from that event. Continue reading “”

ART KANE

Some photographers are universally known. Most are not, including a few geniuses.

Art Kane was a NY commercial photographer who was a pioneer in many ways. He is perhaps best known for his 1958 group shot of 57 famous jazz musicians gathered together on the streets of Harlem. Another image he created was the cover of an album for The Who called The Kids are Alright, a reference to London “mods” who embraced the rock group in the ’60s.

Here’s an alternate from that shoot, The Who wrapped in the Union Jack with children included. It was made in the Morningside Park of New York in 1968. He was a master of the 24mm lens.

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Black cats have been associated with Halloween since the harvest festival began in about 1745 AD. Although cats of all types have been associated with the occult, black felines in particular appear most often in folklore. Several legends exist, like black cats being evil, causing bad luck, being linked to witches, and many other dark things. Very scary! Continue reading “”

LED ZEPPELIN II – A MASTERING LESSON

44 years ago today, Led Zeppelin released their second album. Eddie Kramer had engineered it, and Bob Ludwig was called in to give the record a “hotter” sound in the LP mastering phase. The resulting pressings have an “RL” inscribed in the run out area of the vinyl. Unfortunately, the dynamics in the grooves made these records unplayable on the inexpensive turntables of the day. So the lacquers were replaced with tamer sounding ones. Continue reading “”

I LOVE FALL

Testing some lenses today and was surprised by the results. Here’s a snap I took with a 1970 Leica 21mm Super Angulon rangefinder lens on a 2012 Leica M9-P camera body from my back door.

There is something special about this vintage optic and Leica’s older Summilux, Summicron, and Summaron lenses. Compared to modern Leica aspherical lenses, they can create a more three dimensional quality and a natural vignetting without correction right out of the camera. Plenty sharp and less post-production! Continue reading “”

NEIL YOUNG – ON THE BEACH BY CASSIUS (SH FORUM)

“Was it the Falcon? The Flying V used on the previous year’s tour?”

“It doesn’t really matter what guitar it was, because it’s the tone that cuts through. It’s the ‘real-est’. The most emotive piece of music I’ve ever heard.” Continue reading “”

“RUSH” PREMIERES

Had a chance to see Ron Howard’s “Rush” in a movie theatre last night and came away very impressed. It portrays the Formula 1 racing rivalry between Austrian Niki Lauda and Brit James Hunt leading to the climactic 1976 Driver’s Championship. Unlike previous motorsports films, it has an absolutely compelling story line and believable character development. It is also wonderfully cinematic in scope with great attention to period-correct details. Continue reading “”

PORSCHE 911: 50 YEARS AGO – UNVEILED TO THE PUBLIC

At the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 1963 sat a prim-rose-colored coupe with seat centers trimmed in checked cloth. It was called the Porsche 901, a model that would later become the 911 after Peugot objected to the use of “0” as a middle digit. Thus the iconic 911 was born. Continue reading “”