The Real Deal

“The Real Deal: Field Notes From The Life of a Working Photographer” is Joe McNally’s account of his life behind a camera, including as he says: “the good the bad and the beautiful”. With, amongst other published work, fifteen stories (incluing five cover stories) for National Geographic, if any photographer can claim to be the “real deal” then McNally is one of them.

In this age of social media, it is freshing to have read, in an eminently enoyable and informative book, such an honest account of the life of a working photographer who has for many years been at the top of his game. Whilst not a “how to” book, it is nonetheless full of information about how McNally has worked, including insights into some of the most incredible lighting set ups he has used for clients such as Nikon. As McNally describes the book: “It’s much more of a country road, a meander, if you will, through the life of a working photog, an honest account, in often quite unflinching fashion, discussing the rewards, failures, successes, hype, mystery, wonder, bullshit, and bravado of it all. I hark back to the beginnings of a long journey.” This is a book that every photographer, whatever their field, should read.

For more information, Joe McNally’s website is: Joe McNally.