Author: Randy Wells

INSPIRED : ANTARCTICA

The last installment in this “inspired” triptych is water/air. Nowhere is the balance between these two elements more delicate than in the ice-bound ecosystem called Antarctica.

Antarctica was the last continent I visited in the 1990’s. After four days of travel, I finally arrived at this serene environment. The eeire silence was punctuated by the sounds and sights of humorous penguins. “Otherworldly” is the best way I can describe my experience there. Continue reading “”

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NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE

Word is that Neil’s “back on the horse” and currently completing a new “concept” abum with Billy Talbot, Ralph Molina, and Frank “Poncho” Sampedro.

Here’s a link to the video of “Horse Back.” It’s a jam session with “Cortez the Killer” as an ending – recorded by John Hanlon, all 36 minutes of it. That’s longer than Neil’s entire first solo album! The behind-the-scenes video of the equipment that goes into making a “Crazy Horse” record was shot by Ben Johnson. Continue reading “”

INSPIRED : HAWAII

For the second part of the “inspired” elements triptych (earth, fire, water/air), I’m going for an aerial photograph made from a helicopter at sunrise over Maui. Another homage to Ernst Haas.

Haas was a genius and the pioneer of color photography when it comes to fine art. Eggleston? Sorry, not the first to have a color exhibit at MOMA in 1962. Porter? Sorry, kinda boring and a bit pedestrian. Shore, Meyerowitz? Ditto. Continue reading “”

PHOTO EXHIBIT AT GLAZER’S CAMERA

Hey All & Happy New Year!

I just finished hanging a 13 print exhibit at Glazer’s Camera Rental Studio in Seattle. On view are images from my book project, Steinbeck’s America: In Search of Travels with Charley Fifty Years Later.

Accompanying the color photographs are quotes by John Steinbeck from his book, Travels with Charley. My short film on the project and an e-book sample will be on view at a closing reception:

When: Monday, February 6th from 7-9pm

Where: 517 Dexter Ave North, Seattle, WA 98109

Please see my Outdoor Photographer Magazine article:

50 Years After Travels with Charley

Continue reading “”

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CROSBY, STILLS & NASH

Just released is this Atlantic/Audio Fidelity Gold CD of Crosby, Stills and Nash’s self-titled debut album. I was fortunate to have been invited to sit in on the mastering session with Steve Hoffman behind the controls at Marsh Mastering in Los Angeles CA a couple of months ago. My article describing that session, the music on this landmark 1969 release and the sound of this latest CD is now on-line at Michael Fremer’s MusicAngle.com. Photos from that day accompany my review. Thanks to all involved. Have a great New Year!

My CS&N review on MusicAngle.com

Continue reading “”

YEAR END REMINISCING

It’s an induldgent pastime I suppose. To tear yourself away from the TV and iphone/smartphone and contemplate your life as it actually is. Maybe it’s more appropriate to do as you get older – or maybe not. It don’t come easy as they say…

I try returning phone calls and text messages daily and love having GPS while traveling, but my 4G Droid is not much of an actual phone, more like a mini-computer – a radiating slow one at that. Most of the time I can’t find it (or something to watch on TV). Maybe that’s why I’m thinking about other things today. Continue reading “”

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LED ZEPPELIN IV

Forty years ago Led Zeppelin ruled the charts and airwaves with the epic (and overplayed) “Strairway to Heaven”. I still remember when I first heard it. I was a senior in HS and my girlfriend’s best friend was ultra hip. She had somehow got a copy of LZ IV before the stores carried it. One listen and I knew what I’d be playing for my “Creative Poetry” class the following week. Everybody was mesmerized as the LP spun that day. I went King Crab fishing in Alaska six months later and was essentially incommunicado. By the time I returned it was playing every half hour on the radio. Continue reading “”

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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 “”