| The Moment It Clicks: Photography secrets from one of the world's top shooters (Voices That Matter) | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 102 reviews)
Sales Rank: 802
Category: Book
Author: Joe Mcnally
Publisher: New Riders Press
Studio: New Riders Press
Manufacturer: New Riders Press
Label: New Riders Press
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 272
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.9
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 8.9 x 0.7
ISBN: 0321544080
Dewey Decimal Number: 775
EAN: 9780321544087
ASIN: 0321544080
Publication Date: February 2, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
THE FIRST BOOK WITH ONE FOOT ON THE COFFEE TABLE, AND ONE FOOT IN THE
CLASSROOM
Joe McNally, one of the world’s top pro digital photographers, whose celebrated work has graced the pages of Sports Illustrated, Time, and National Geographic (to name a few), breaks new ground by doing something no photography book has ever done?blending the rich, stunning images and elegant layout of a coffee-table book with the invaluable training, no-nonsense insights, and photography secrets usually found only in those rare, best-of-breed educational books.
When Joe’s not on assignment for the biggest-name magazines and Fortune 500 clients, he’s in the classroom teaching location lighting, environmental portraiture, and how to “get the shot” at workshops around the world. These on-location workshops are usually reserved for a handful of photographers each year, but now you can learn the same techniques that Joe shares in his seminars and lectures in a book that brings Joe’s sessions to life.
What makes the book so unique is the “triangle of learning” where (1) Joe distills the concept down to one brief sentence. It usually starts with something like, “An editor at National Geographic once told me?” and then he shares one of those hard-earned tricks of the trade that you only get from spending a lifetime behind the lens. Then, (2) on the facing page is one of Joe’s brilliant images that perfectly illustrates the technique (you’ll recognize many of his photos from magazine covers). And (3) you get the inside story of how that shot was taken, including which equipment he used (lens, f/stop, lighting, accessories, etc.), along with the challenges that type of project brings, and how to set up a shot like that of your own.
This book also gives you something more. It inspires. It challenges. It informs. But perhaps most importantly, it will help you understand photography and the art of making great photos at a level you never thought possible. This book is packed with those “Ah ha!” moments?those clever insights that make it all come together for you. It brings you that wonderful moment when it suddenly all makes sense?that “moment it clicks.”
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| Customer Reviews: Read 97 more reviews...
 Great book and it is not about the "box"! July 3, 2008
I picked up this book in a bookshop when browsing for something else. I love this book! It is more about the "art" and "feelings" of photography and less about the "box" you are using to shoot the pictures. Many photography books I have accumulated I give away when I am finished reading them--this one is a keeper.
 How to use $10,000 worth of lighting June 24, 2008
I was expecting a well written book by a expert in his field. This book was well reccomended by Scott Kelby which was good enough for me. I was highly dissapointed. The entire book was based around how he used thousands of dollars worth of lighting to get ordinary pictures. I understand lighting is important but 240 pages of how he lit his pictures was to much. No real insite to how he composed or planned the pictures. Or even the camera set up he used. I am no expert but I do know when something is written to make a couple of dollars. The last 14 pages of the book is a glossary of the terms he used in the book (some made up). I read the entire book in a evening. Some comments were interesting but woke up the next morning trying to remember a single thing I liked about the book. Only thing I can remember is that he uses a lot of very expensive lighting for his shots.
Shame on Scott Kelby for reccomending this book.
 Not your average photo book. June 19, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I've been a fan of Joe McNally for years and have heard him lecture in person a few times. To say that I've been looking forward to a book from him would be an understatement.
However, when I first heard about this book I wasn't sure that I wanted it. Normally, I like two kinds of photo books. Those that show the photographer's work or those that are of the "how to" type. This is neither in that it combines both genres......kind of.
It's certainly not a collection of McNally's work in the conventional sense. It is, instead, a potpourri of his photos. It's also not a "how-to" book since it doesn't give more than a cursory explanation of how the photos were made. All that said, I've found it to be extremely enjoyable.
The photos are typical McNally. Technically and aesthetically superb. Nothing less than what one would expect.
In his how-to explanations (which I think of as "how to lite", no pun intended), Joe gives a brief overview of what was involved in getting each shot. That's fine with me, as I've never understood why some photographers feel that they need to give the aperture and shutter speed for every shot. While such information can be useful if one wants to duplicate a specific effect, they are meaningless for most shots as they only represent the light conditions present at that place and time.
What comes through loud and clear are McNally's insights and practical advice. He doesn't tell us how to duplicate each shot but, instead, tells us why he did what he did to get it. Let's face it, he knows, and so should we, that we are never going to own the equipment that he does or are we ever likely to develop the expertise to use it in the ways that he does.
If you're looking for a portfolio of Joe's work or a how-to guide to help you duplicate it, save your money as you won't find that here. If you want to get into McNally's head and perhaps become motivated to improve your own photography as a result, you won't be disappointed.
Location Photogrpahy for Commerical and Portrait Photographers June 6, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I'll keep this short and sweet.
1. NOT a cookbook or "how to" book.
2. NOT a beginners book.
3. IS a book for high intermediate level and advanced photographers (see#4).
4. This book does not give F stops or other technical information. That's why it's an advanced book.
5. 100% LOCATION photography and how to overcome the hardships of this type of shot.
6. Emphasis on hard core commercial photography, as in Donald Trump, CEO's, Sports figures, etc. But if you know your stuff, you can use the information to your advantage for any location shooting.
Summary: This book made a lot of sense to me, but only because I understand light and the problems of location photography. If you do not understand the problems of light on location, how to use strobes, reflectors, etc., then you will not "get" this book.
McNally is pretty extraordinary in his element, which is fast thinking in a fast paced location based commercial environment. He hit everything I've experienced stress wise trying to create a nice image using natural and strobe light on location.
If you have ever tried location photography w/o a flash gun on your camera--because you do not use an ON CAMERA flash when doing location photography (and bouncing an on camera flash counts as having the light off camera, and yes there are exceptions)--then you understand the horrible chills you get when learning this skill, and even after you learn the basics the stress and abject FEAR involved. McNally does a great job of imparting this fear and stress and explaining how he works though it, or not--he admits sometimes you just fail, get use to it.
In that sense, the book gets 5 stars. If you think you are the only one who goes through these levels of fear, stress, self hatred, and messing up, then read this book. It will allow you, if nothing else, to see that you are on the right track and that even super pros like McNally go through these same anxieties.
In conclusion, this book is for advanced photographers looking to hone their skills and to understand if they are actually on the right track. Even if you don't do hard core commercial, you can impart this information to your skill set because all of the stuff he talks about is relevant to ANY location type photography, including weddings. The book also uses what I believe are perfect examples of what Joe is trying to convey to other photographers.
Thanks Joe. Good book!
Joe rocks! June 5, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Fabulous book, hilarious but very useful comments, great pictures!
I'm sure Joe is a great teacher and person!
Someone here said Joe didn't reveal everything. That is not true. He gives you more details in the beginning and as you read further, it's more about particular atmosphere or thoughts he used to create the particular image - NOT an instant-recipe for perfect photo!
Doesn't matter if you are a pro or a rookie, his thoughts could provide you with something you accidentally overlooked!
This book makes you think and use your brain, rather than copy/paste or steal his ideas!
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