Ade Ketchum, a native of Corning, NY, became interested in photography at a very young age; he began by helping his father, a Corning Police Officer and hobbyist photographer, process film and create prints. Photography would soon become a serious endeavor. Ironically, he would be asked to leave his high school camera club after two meetings, the faculty advisor felt he was too far advanced for the club. In addition to photography, there were other passions burning inside, love of the automobile and the need for speed.

After attending his first race at nearby Watkins Glen in 1957, the combination of photography and auto racing developed into much more than an idle passion. He continued to attend races and shoot photos and capturing an accident at Watkins Glen in 1969 put him to the forefront of racing photography in the area. In 1970 he was asked to become the track photographer at Watkins Glen. He held this position until his retirement in 2006.

On June 23, 1972 the Hurricane Agnes floodwaters inundated his home and more than 35,000 negatives and slides were underwater, some for days, many of them rescued, washed, cleaned and dried by his friends. However, a large percentage was lost due to the acid content in the floodwaters.

In 1973 and 1977 Ketchum's images were selected as SPORTS CAR magazine's Covers of the Year. In 1977 he was awarded the National Public Relations Achievement Award by the Sports Car Club of America. A long time member of the Glen Region, SCCA, he served that organization in many capacities, including three terms as Regional Executive (President). He was elected to the Corning-Painted Post Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 as a Motorsports Contributor. His work as been published in every major motor racing publication in the world. He presently serves on the Board of Directors of the International Motor Racing Research Center at Watkins Glen and is a member of the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Historical Committee.

Ketchum has a tremendous archive of black & white negatives, color transparencies and digital image files of racing images from across the United States and Canada. He is called on frequently to provide images for publications.

Special thanks go to Mark Combot at www.printtofinish.com for the developing and maintaining this website.