FASTER THAN 400 MPH

There are only 13 people in the world who have driven faster than 400 mph in a piston-powered car. George Poteet did it more times than the other 12 combined. The King of Amateur Landspeed Racing, who said he never got a speeding ticket, has died at 76. He topped 400 mph at least 55 times, in a carbon-fiber-clad vehicle called “The Speed Demon”. -TWSJ

(Photo: Mark Gewertz, The Wall Street Journal)

8-11-24

LIFE 2.0

It’s a feature of mine that is gaining a lot of attention for its soulful and encouraging message. It’s a story about a PCA couple who reinvented their lives to version 2.0 with two Porsches, a GT4 and a Boxster GTS. Check out the online version of PCA Panorama.

8-5-24

OVER-TOURISM IS AFFECTING RESIDENTS ADVERSELY

It’s been going on since I can remember, but the increase in tourists and snap shooters in the past ten years has become unbearable in certain locales. Just last summer, I saw it happening in the National Parks, Paris and London, and this year it has reached a breaking point as many flock to the Olympic Games in Europe. From idyllic settings like Santorini, Greece to Hallstatt, Austria, residents are protesting, occupying roads of entry, barricading “selfie” spots, and taking over the beaches. I don’t really blame them. It’s part of the reason I switched from being a travel photographer for a dozen years to an automotive filmmaker in 2004. I was seeing the changes and realized that I was part of the problem.

(Photographer: Unknown)

LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER

Wherever you are, now is the time to relax and let all your concerns drift away. For me, that means being on the water of Puget Sound in Washington state. Exploring the environment on a boat has been a part of my life from the time I was a child in Alaska. I hope you are enjoying what you love today.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME

This song from the Talking Heads album Remain in Light gets better the older I get. Produced and cowritten by Brian Eno, it was recorded 24 years ago. Eno was also one of the mixers and played keyboards, guitars, bass guitar, percussion, and backing vocals. Still sounds great on vinyl.

MICROSOFT AI GETS IT WRONG AGAIN

The CEO of Microsoft AI Mustafa Suleyman has shown an alarming ignorance of copyright law after he claimed that all content on the open web is fair use. – PetaPixel

“I think with respect to content that’s already on the open web, the social contract of that content since the ’90s has been that it is fair use. Anyone can copy it, recreate with it, reproduce with it. That has been ‘freeware’, if you like, that’s been the understanding,” Suleyman says.

6-27-24

R GRUPPE MAGAZINE ARTICLE IN THE WORKS

For those who like reading about early Porsche 911 hot rod clubs, this should be right up your alley. Coming in the fall is my story on the 2024 R Gruppe gathering in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Good times are guaranteed! More to follow.

Ferry, WA

WESTERN WASHINGTON TRAVEL STORY

PCA does it again with my newly published travel story for those looking to explore western Washington state this summer. It’s no secret that now is the best time of year to come to Seattle. Rather than hanging around the city, my advice is to hop on a ferry and head to Bainbridge Island. From there you can explore some of the best attractions this NW state has to offer, including more destinations like Whidbey and the San Juan Islands. Another option is to head to the Okanogan via roads north and east of the Puget Sound. I’d avoid the more touristed areas like Mt. Rainier and the like. Too many people.

6-17-24

BACK FROM PORSCHE PARADE WITH THOUSANDS OF IMAGES

Thanks to the the team at Porsche Club of America’s national magazine Panorama, I was the only full-time freelance pro assigned to make principal photography at the event. I am grateful for the faith they placed in me and happy to report I covered everything to the best of my abilities!

Birmingham, Alabama turned out to be the friendliest U.S. city I have experienced in many years. Look for coverage of my words and photos in the October issue.

FORM VS. FUNCTION

Traditionally, advertising has been more form over function. I’ve done a lot of advertising campaigns in my time behind the camera. Most have been based on form. Yet if I had a choice, my goal would be elegant function. It’s something I’ve strived for over the past 35 years as a full-time pro photographer.

Perhaps the world will turn towards this goal. However, that would mean a big change from appearances, which currently rule.

WHO IS A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER?

Simply put, it is someone who derives the majority of their income from photography. It doesn’t mean that they are being primarily supported by another job, a trust fund, retirement or a family member. A full-time professional photographer has to go beyond that definition. They need to make ends meet every month with the income they earn from their photography. And that means they have to charge a fee that could seem higher than those who don’t. It’s simple really, but the distinction has lost some meaning over the past 20 years. Please consider the differences when exploring these different services.