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Created and Maintained by: The Photoimaging Information Council |
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| July 24, 2008 | |||
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Joseph McNally, a world-renowned NY-based photographer, has often been categorized as a “generalist” because his comprehensive body of work spans a variety of genres. However, “generalist” is not suitable for McNally; it’s too ordinary. McNally, a Syracuse University alumnus, began as a copy boy over 25 years ago at the New York Daily News and worked his way to the top because of his creative vision, technical expertise, and unparalleled tenacity. Life as a freelancer has taken him around the globe working for Time, Newsweek, National Geographic and Sports Illustrated to name a few publications with a stopover in the mid-nineties as the last staff photographer for Life. Besides editorial work, McNally has an extensive corporate client list including Sony, Nikon, Target, Pharmacia, General Electric, and the New York Stock Exchange.
 Light Ballet © Joe McNally >>Click here to learn more about Kim Phuc  Kim Phuc © Joe McNally How can I improve my action photographs? Timing is everything. Whether it’s photographing your kid’s soccer game or swim meet to capturing birds in flight, it’s freezing the moment and the split second you release the shutter. That’s why fast shutter speeds are critical and also getting a feel of panning.  © Joe McNally What’s the best tip you can give to someone who gets to his/her destination—be it a party or an exotic vacation locale-- and have limited time to photograph? Whether you are shooting a wedding, retirement party, or just taking vacation photographs, you need to really take a good look at the location and the light. Search out clean, uncluttered background if you want to do some portraits, and search out any fun props to add interest to a photograph. A local travel guide with photographs is an invaluable resource since you can flip through it to get an idea of what you may want to seek out. Also ask the concierge or people at the front desk for idea. The observant local front desk person or other staffs in a hotel are often a goldmine when it comes to local resources. © Joe McNally Since you emphasize the importance on watching and controlling the light, how can you control sunlight in broad daylight? You can try to baffle the light so it’s not as harsh on a subject. Make sure that a subject is not squinting. Move around, change your angle. I often see photographers get stuck in one place. © Joe McNally In the past year, have you used a digital camera more or a film camera? And what do you see happening in the future? I am shooting about 90% digital right now. Three Quick Tips for Photographers: 1. Read your camera manual before you begin shooting. Knowing your camera will free you up once you get behind the lens---then you can just concentrate on composing through the lens. Practice before you leave home. Take test shots. Get comfortable with both your camera and flash before an important event. 2. Educate your eye: Look through classic books to view different styles of photography, techniques and build a visual library to draw on. It never hurts to just flip through pages of great work to learn composition. 3. Always keep extra batteries close at hand. One cannot take great pictures if you camera isn’t working.
>>Click here to read Joe’s Tips & Techniques.
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