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The Real Deal: Field Notes from the Life of a Working Photographer
Photographer and best-selling author Joe McNally shares stories and lessons from a life in photography.
When Joe McNally moved to New York City in 1976, his first job was at the Daily News as a copyboy, “the wretched dog of the newsroom.” He was earning the lowest pay grade possible and living in a cheap hotel in Manhattan. Life was not glamorous. But with a fierce drive, an eye for a picture, and a willingness to take (almost) any assignment that came his way, Joe stepped out onto the always precarious tightrope of the freelance photographer—and never looked back. Fast forward 40 years, and his work has included assignments and stories for National Geographic, Time, LIFE, Sports Illustrated, and more. He has traveled for assignments to nearly 70 countries and received dozens of awards for his photography.
In The Real Deal, Joe tells us how it all started, and candidly shares stories, lessons, and insights he has collected along the way. This is not a dedicated how-to book about “where to put the light,” though there is certainly instructional information to be gleaned here. This is also not a navel-gazing look back at “the good old days,” because those never really existed anyway. Instead, The Real Deal is simply a collection of candid “field notes”—some short, some quite long—gathered over time that, together, become an intimate look behind the scenes at a photographer who has pretty much seen and done it all.
Though the photography industry bears little resemblance to the industry just 10 years ago (much less 40 years ago), what it really takes to become a successful photographer—the character traits, the fundamental lessons, the ability to adapt, and then adapt again—remains the same. Joe writes about everything from the crucial ability to know how to use (and make!) window light to the importance of creating long-term relationships built on trust; from lessons learned after a day in the field to the need to follow your imagination wherever it takes you; from the “random” and “lucky” moments that propel one’s career to the wonders and pitfalls of today’s camera technology. For every mention of f-stops and shutter speeds, there is equal discussion about the importance of access, the occasional moment of hubris, and the idea of becoming iconic.
Before Joe was a celebrated and award-winning photographer, before he was a well-respected educator and author of multiple bestselling books, he was just…Joe, hustling every day, from one assignment to the next, piecing together a portfolio, a skill set, a reputation, a career. He imagined a life—and then took pictures of it. Here are a few frames.
When Joe McNally moved to New York City in 1976, his first job was at the Daily News as a copyboy, “the wretched dog of the newsroom.” He was earning the lowest pay grade possible and living in a cheap hotel in Manhattan. Life was not glamorous. But with a fierce drive, an eye for a picture, and a willingness to take (almost) any assignment that came his way, Joe stepped out onto the always precarious tightrope of the freelance photographer—and never looked back. Fast forward 40 years, and his work has included assignments and stories for National Geographic, Time, LIFE, Sports Illustrated, and more. He has traveled for assignments to nearly 70 countries and received dozens of awards for his photography.
In The Real Deal, Joe tells us how it all started, and candidly shares stories, lessons, and insights he has collected along the way. This is not a dedicated how-to book about “where to put the light,” though there is certainly instructional information to be gleaned here. This is also not a navel-gazing look back at “the good old days,” because those never really existed anyway. Instead, The Real Deal is simply a collection of candid “field notes”—some short, some quite long—gathered over time that, together, become an intimate look behind the scenes at a photographer who has pretty much seen and done it all.
Though the photography industry bears little resemblance to the industry just 10 years ago (much less 40 years ago), what it really takes to become a successful photographer—the character traits, the fundamental lessons, the ability to adapt, and then adapt again—remains the same. Joe writes about everything from the crucial ability to know how to use (and make!) window light to the importance of creating long-term relationships built on trust; from lessons learned after a day in the field to the need to follow your imagination wherever it takes you; from the “random” and “lucky” moments that propel one’s career to the wonders and pitfalls of today’s camera technology. For every mention of f-stops and shutter speeds, there is equal discussion about the importance of access, the occasional moment of hubris, and the idea of becoming iconic.
Before Joe was a celebrated and award-winning photographer, before he was a well-respected educator and author of multiple bestselling books, he was just…Joe, hustling every day, from one assignment to the next, piecing together a portfolio, a skill set, a reputation, a career. He imagined a life—and then took pictures of it. Here are a few frames.
- GenresPhotography
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2021
24 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Joe McNally
50 books53 followersAn accomplished and widely-respected photographer, Joe McNally got his start as a newspaper photographer in New York, eventually becoming a staff photographer for Time magazine and a frequent contributor to National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, and numerous other publications.
Particularly noted for his portraits, McNally teaches numerous workshops throughout the year.
See McNally's own website or his biography at National Geographic's site for more.
Particularly noted for his portraits, McNally teaches numerous workshops throughout the year.
See McNally's own website or his biography at National Geographic's site for more.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 13, 2023
The Real Deal: Field Notes from the Life of a Working Photographer is essentially Joe McNally’s career retrospective in words & pictures. If you’re familiar with McNally's other books, Sketching Light and The Hot Shoe Diaries, much will seem similar in this latest work. However, the first few chapters are particularly precious. They recount Joe’s earliest struggles breaking into the business. The later chapters are good, too. McNally is a master of (Speedlight) lighting, and his descriptions of various projects are inspiring. It’s a tale of a never-ending quest for perfection. Throughout, McNally dispenses advice on what it once took to be successful and, in contrast, what it now takes to carve out a successful career in photography. In perhaps brutal honesty, the current landscape in commercial photography, and particularly editorial photography, is not conducive to any sort of financial security or career stability. So, this book is a very useful resource for anyone trying to beat the odds; and there will be those who succeed. It’s also a useful and inspirational resource to anyone who puts food on the table by other means while pursuing their own artistic & creative vision. Perhaps the main take-away is that pursuit of perfection is worth it regardless of all obstacles the world throws in the path of the creative individual.
May 30, 2022
Joe McNally’s book The Real Deal is a book to be read, re-read, and savored even if you’re not a photographer. His stories and insights about people and the world are fascinating. As always, his photos are compelling and usually raising the question of “how did he do that?”. Joe is a magician in managing light; he sees where there’s too little or too much light and fixes it. Unlike some of his other books, this book isn’t a how-to book, although you may glean his techniques from careful study and some judicious analysis of his photos. You will enjoy this book. It’s beautifully printed, the photos are clean, clear, and colorful, but not over saturated. Thanks Joe.
June 22, 2022
Joe McNally's honest accounts from his long and varied career as a professional photographer give the reader revelatory insights into the profession and the traits, courage, persistence (and sometimes plain luck) needed to make a career in that industry.
A recommended read for someone exploring a career in that field, and for those interested in the hard-won lessons that help us grow in, and continue reaching for excellence in our photography.
Especially when the shade of (my) self-doubt erodes my joy in photography.
A recommended read for someone exploring a career in that field, and for those interested in the hard-won lessons that help us grow in, and continue reaching for excellence in our photography.
Especially when the shade of (my) self-doubt erodes my joy in photography.
February 5, 2022
I have admired Joe’s work since I first picked up a camera my Jr. year of High school. This book is the perfect combination of inspiration and reality. I think what I love most about him is that his pictures mean something. There substance behind them, they’re deep (while not “iconic” for many, certainly iconic for me.)
Thank you Joe, for always peering over the railing, and freezing a all those unique moments, for all time.
Thank you Joe, for always peering over the railing, and freezing a all those unique moments, for all time.
May 13, 2022
A great memoir
Joe was part of a golden age of press photography. The magazines that mattered so much (and had so much self regard) are gone but he’s still here. This is his story told plainly as if he were sitting across from you over coffee. He’s one of the photographic greats but he seems to have no sense of that. Hid modesty may be part of the reason he’s great because it’s helped him get close to his subjects, who often — tellingly — became friends. If you care about photography this is an easy read. Don’t miss it.
Joe was part of a golden age of press photography. The magazines that mattered so much (and had so much self regard) are gone but he’s still here. This is his story told plainly as if he were sitting across from you over coffee. He’s one of the photographic greats but he seems to have no sense of that. Hid modesty may be part of the reason he’s great because it’s helped him get close to his subjects, who often — tellingly — became friends. If you care about photography this is an easy read. Don’t miss it.
May 15, 2023
Life’s Lessons from a Regular Guy
Life’s lessons at the click of a shutter. This book makes me think, and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.
Life’s lessons at the click of a shutter. This book makes me think, and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews