Rick Cline
When I entered the creative world of photography, auto-focus and digital was unheard of; everyone was using 35 mm film, and were struggling with manual-focus cameras, there were many difficulties in capturing good images. Some 23-years later, I made the monumental transition, replacing my 35 mm gear and moving into auto-focus, professional, digital capture.
My first experience in photography came at a young age, using an antiquated 8 mm movie-film camera while in the sport of surfing. A native Californian, I have since earned several awards for professional photography and photojournalism. My introduction to drag racing came around 1963, as an impressionable pre-teen, at Lions Drag Strip (NHRA) in Wilmington, California. Once I owned my first car and obtained a drivers license, I found my way back to the drag strip and boldly entered my first event in Irvine California. Driving my ’55 Chevy, I rolled up to the starting line at OCIR, Orange County International Raceway, and looked for a my green light.
Above: Lions Drag Strip, Wilmington, California
Above: Water skiing at Bass Lake, California
Raised in a power-boat family, it seemed second-nature to take interest in power boat racing. Outfitted with newer Canon 35 mm camera gear, I set out for my first race in February 1981, attending the NDBA (National Drag Boat Association) Season Premier at Lake Ming, Bakersfield, California.
For nearly 15 years, I was the historian for the IHBA (International Hot Boat Association). My reports and photographs appeared in countless publications including; National Race Boat, Hot Boat Magazine, Trailer Boats Magazine, Powerboat Magazine, National Drag Boat, IHBA’s the Liquid Quarter Mile and others. I also covered circle boat, K-boat and Unlimited Hydroplane races, and did various work for the APBA (American Power Boat Association). Following the 1986 drag boat season I produced a high-quality full-color drag boat poster, “The Liquid Quarter Mile.” Five years later in 1991, followed it with another classic, “The Liquid Quarter Mile – Part 2.” Both can still be purchased right here on this website.
Above: With Powerboat Magazine photographer Jim Welch (left), at the IHBA World Finals.
Above: Drag boat photography from a crane/basket.
Above: Inside the cockpit of Dean Kirchner’s, top alcohol hydro, “Blown Crazy.”
As an independent photojournalist, my work has been published around the World, in Europe, Australia, Germany, Japan, the UK and many other countries. Here in America, I’ve worked for and sold photographs to UPI (United Press International), the AP (Associated Press), The National Enquirer, The Star, The Globe, more newspapers and magazines than I can remember including; the Los Angeles Times and Orange County Register. In the early 1990’s, I had the pleasure to work with ESPN as a technical advisor for their drag boat television productions.
Above: With the late drag boat photographer Jack Cool (left).
Working in boat racing, during the mid-1980s I simultaneously owned and operated a full-time photography studio in Anaheim Hills, California, servicing many non-racing clients with studio, and industrial photography. For a number of years, I was affiliated with the Yorba Linda (Ca.) Chamber of Commerce, and proudly served on their executive board.
In 1997, I decided to leave boat racing and turned my attention toward a new book publishing career (AllNavyBooks.com). During these years I was still doing the occasional commercial photography projects. Perhaps a little late to the party, it wasn’t until 2004 that I purchased my first DSLR camera. In time a few former photo clients reached out and my photography business was re-started. With digital camera equipment in hand I attended a few drag boat events and reconnected with old friends. Late 2021 I returned to a full schedule of drag boat racing, and since then it has been an amazing experience.
My work as a professional photographer is not over, I am now located in sunny, Yuma, Arizona, and will continue with this exciting adventure as long as God allows me. Countless places and things I still want to photograph, including more racing action.
Above: At the ‘scope on board the nuclear fast-attack submarine USS Buffalo (SSN-715). Standing behind me, the captain of the boat.
A special thank you, to all the wonderful people who posted and shared their kind thoughts on social media. See Customer Reviews page. Your gracious words help keep me going strong, God Bless each and every one of you!
