Customer Reviews:
 Fun to read and illustrative as well! September 28, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
First of all, the pictures in this book are great, and for that alone it is worth buying.
With each picture Joe tells a small story on how he got to the picture. Some reviewers were expecting a closely detailed "how to", and this is not it.
But just as photography is not about the gear alone (a good camera does not automatically make you a good photographer), it is also not just about technique.
So, there are no lighting diagrams in the book, no setups like "two flashes here and a reflector there". But a lot of tongue in cheek stories. Why film actors don't like their picture taken, how to get the right props, what NOT to do when shooting college sports stars, how to deal with police disrupting a shoot, etc.
I once made a portrait of my coworkers son. She said it was his best portrait ever - showing his true smile and not the fake one he always had in pictures. This book will get you a feeling (among other things) on how to get that true smile out of people.
 Great book September 26, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Note that the majority of people that don't like this book explicitly mention Kelby's books. That should speak volumes to experienced photographers and photo editors.
If you love Scott Kelby books then this probably isn't the book for you. It isn't filled with lousy jokes and simple formulas. You have to have some base photographic knowledge to pull off complex shots and you'll never get there with simple formulas. No ... it isn't a beginner book like Kelby's drivel so don't buy it if that's what you're into.
The Moment It Clicks by Joe McNally September 15, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Now just how did Joe McNally get to the top?
Take a look and see :)
For not being a how-to book, I've been getting a lot of info about lighting. I like that.
Great stories also.
Grab it if you are interested in various light conditions and solutions.
Worth the price for me.
 He does it in his blog, why wont he do it here? September 12, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
There's no question on the competence of Joe McNally. The pictures are impeccable in this book. But indeed he should have done more to teach.
Although some are drawn on tissue paper, in his blog you can see lighting diagrams (where to place the flashes/softboxes). He also show some behind-the-scene pictures on how even the backdrop was set-up along with a commentary on what was the assignment for and the theme he wants to achieve. He should have done the same in this book.
I think the problem was in the decision to make a coffee table and tutorial book in one. Should have selected just one objective, to satisfy fully that purpose?
I hope Joe will write another book with more tutoring. Doesnt have to be a tell-all, spoonfeeding stuff. Just something you can follow and experiment with--again, similar to what he writes in his bog.
Inspirational September 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
If you use or are interested in using off camera lighting, this is a must read. Why would you? Photography is about light and McNally teachs how to modify or change existing light so you are not stuck with the poor or boring light you find. McNally is an artist with light. His writing style is enjoyable and is humor makes this an easy read yet this is packed with information. This book was the brainchild of Scott Kelby, and even goes beyond his on line seminars taking a subject that could be dry and makes it enjoyable reading. This book received alot of hoopla about its release- with good reason. Read this with Lowell's Matter of Light and Depth for structured instruction and the Strobist website for portable, inexpensive gear and your photography will move to an entirely different level.
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