Last week I had the rare and wonderful opportunity to sit, watch and listen to Joe McNally. I call him mighty for his amazing accomplishments which make mine pale into insignificance. Good thing then that i dont feel to compare, but more to learn from someone whom I believe is one of the most humble and most important photographers in history. His outlook and method was as refreshing as it was candid. Whilst many photographers seem to take the protectionist / Im better than you stance, this master warmed everyone to him by just being himself. He indicated that he makes more mistakes than wins and doesnt always get it right for a client, but like me, he continues to be passionate about picking up a camera and capturing moments in time. It was interesting to hear him say that he takes his inspiration from what he sees and what is around him. I was mesmerised at the simplicity and the stunning results he shared with those in attendance.
I am hopeful my meeting him and subsequent workshop will have memories to help me be that much better again now and in the future. A special thank you to the sponsors who shell out so much money for photographic education; Nikon, Kayell, Epson, Lastolite, Canson, Elinchrom, MEMINC and of course Joe and his team.This will be one moment I will not forget in a hurry.
Joe McNally was LIFE magazine's staff photographer. His most well known series is the "Faces of Ground Zero — Portraits of the Heroes of September 11th", a collection of 246 giant Polaroid portraits shot in the Moby Studio near Ground Zero in a three-week period shortly after 9/11. A large group of these life-size (9' x 4') photos were exhibited in seven cities in 2002, seen by almost a million people. The exhibit and the book, printed by LIFE, helped raise approximately $2 million for the 9/11-relief effort.
McNally has contributed for the National Geographic magazine for 20 years. One of his photographic projects for the magazine was "The Future of Flying," a 32-page cover story, published in December 2003, commemorating the centennial observance of the Wright brothers' flight. This story was the first all digital shoot for the magazine. This issue was a National Magazine Award Finalist, and one of the magazine’s most popular covers.
He has shot cover stories for Sports Illustrated, Time, Newsweek, Geo, Fortune, New York, Business Week, LIFE and Men’s Journal, among others.
McNally’s advertising, marketing and promotional work includes FedEx, Nikon, Sony, Land's End, General Electric, MetLife, Bogen, Adidas, Kelby Media Group, Wildlife Conservation Society, and American Ballet Theatre.
In 2008, McNally published his book, The Moment It Clicks. In 2009, McNally published The Hotshoe Diaries and in 2011, he published his third book Sketching Light.
He's known for heavy usage of CLS and Speedlight.
McNally has been described by American Photo magazine as perhaps the most versatile photojournalist working today and was listed as one of the hundred most important people in photography ever!
In January 1999 Kodak and Photo District News honored McNally by inducting him into their Legends Online archive. In 2001 Nikon bestowed a similar honor when McNally was placed on NikonNet.com's list of Legends Behind the Lens.
He has received the Alfred Eisenstaedt Award for magazine photography and has been honored by Pictures of the Year International, World Press Photo, and the Art Directors Club. He has also been recognized by the magazines Photo District News, American Photo, Applied Arts magazine, Communication Arts, and Graphis Inc. (Wikipedia)
Joe's Portfolio
Comments