The Moment It Clicks: Photography secrets from one of the world's top shooters (Voices That Matter) | 
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| Author: Joe Mcnally
Publisher: New Riders Press
Category: Book
List Price: $54.99
Buy New: $29.91
You Save: $25.08 (46%)
New (34) Used (7) from $27.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  86 reviews
Sales Rank: 374
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
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: This item is new. Just like the one on the shelf at the bookstore only cheaper!
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| Editorial Reviews:
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 81 more reviews...
 Learn from Joe May 16, 2008
I have seen him get standing ovations at photos shows. Check out this book and you'll know why - rick sammon
Great Collection May 16, 2008
I have the feeling that once they assembled the photos, then the author or editors decided upon what the various chapters would be called. I say this because the reality is the chapters broken out into Shoot what you love, Keep your eye on the camera, The logic of light, There is always something to bounce light off of - to me don't really speak to the real power of the book. Its about photography right? So just flipping through the book is actually more a delight and worthwhile than following a seemingly bare thread of like associated topics.
The photos are a great collection. The text accompanying each photo gives a story about the shot which details something different each time - such as a story about using a bed sheet to cut hard sun for a Time life cover shot - a lesson, story and technique rolled into one. The book cleverly moves through this way, showing great photos by well known photographers over time. And photography is what it is about. The Shot. The quickness to capture what is there. One great line is that you have to make sure the picture speaks for itself - as you will not be in the room when people look at it. Basic
advice, but one like other basic and straight forward advice, is valuable and oft ignored.
Treat this book at a group of mentors imparting some advice to you. While not a book to use as a tool such as - hey I want to replicate that picture - but one that will guide you by a mixture of stories, technique, talent and just maybe a little luck.
Great for all types of photographers.
Fantastic tips and insights May 8, 2008
This book is filled with superb tips on photography lighting, setup and so much more! Each two-page spread on a unique photo-shoot is written so that it makes sense and sticks.
Dozens of Photography Tips & Techniques May 6, 2008
Novice to professionals will benefit from Joe McNally's experience as a photographer with Life, National Geographic, and Sports Illustrated. There are basic photographic tips for those that want to point and shoot with a little more flair. But more, there are very technical tips on how to use professional lighting systems to achieve very "unlit" natural results. This is by no means a dry step-by-step how-to book. It's written in a very conversational style: "oh, you want to know how I took that photo of Michelle (Pfeiffer), pull up a chair and let me tell you." It is an easy read, filled with humor and tales of a journeyman photographer. The first read took me just a couple days at a few pages a day. A few weeks has gone by and I realize that I want to commit many more of McNally's tips to memory, that will take me a couple more rereads. I'm looking forward to it. The book is 50% fantastic photos (of who's who in sports and pop culture) and 50% how to make these photos.
Looking into the mind and methods of a professional... May 4, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm in awe of people who can take great pictures with seemingly little effort. But in reality, those pictures are a combination of skill, knowledge, and not a small measure of luck. Joe McNally, a very well-known photographer who has shot for Time, National Geographic, and others, "converses" with the reader in The Moment It Clicks: Photography secrets from one of the world's top shooters. You'll find out how his mind works to control lighting and scene to make those famous images.
Contents:
Shoot What You Love; Keep Your Eye in the Camera; The Logic of Light; There's Always Something to Bounce Light Off Of; Joe's Lighting Tips; Joe's Camera Bag; Joe's Grip and Lighting Gear; The Barroom; Glossary; Index
This book was born from a workshop where McNally was presenting. He was sharing gems of experience, when it dawned on one of the attendees that capturing these nuggets of wisdom could be a perfect method for letting everyone get into the mind of a great photographer. The format of the book consists mostly of two page spreads. The right side shows the photo, and the left side is McNally sharing the story behind the image. Not only does he share what it took to get the picture, but he also gets into the technical aspects of how it was lit and shot. So much of what he does is based on lighting. Too much, too little, bouncing off items, focussed lighting, ambient, etc... When you get done, you'll never look at light in quite the same way again.
Will this book allow you to replicate the same types of shots that have made McNally famous? No. For one, he has hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment, and often has a budget to do things like renting elephants and hanging people from helicopters. My guess is that you don't have that working for you. Also, he doesn't use a "do this, then this, then this" approach. He does talk about the equipment and settings, the lighting and circumstances, but it's more as if you were sitting in a pub talking to a best mate. If you're not experienced on camera technology and terminology, you'll also miss a fair amount of the value. But if you've done some work and become more than just a tourist with a camera, this can take you up another level or two.
Or you can just look at the pictures and marvel that it's possible to do those kinds of things with a camera...
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