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The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes
 
 
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The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes [Paperback]

Joe McNally (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (186 customer reviews)

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Frequently Bought Together

The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes + The Moment It Clicks: Photography secrets from one of the world's top shooters + Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

When it comes to photography, it’s all about the light.

After spending more than thirty years behind the lens—working for National Geographic, Time, Life, and Sports Illustrated—Joe McNally knows about light. He knows how to talk about it, shape it, color it, control it, and direct it. Most importantly, he knows how to create it...using small hot shoe flashes.

In The Hot Shoe Diaries, Joe brings you behind the scenes to candidly share his lighting solutions for a ton of great images. Using Nikon Speedlights, Joe lets you in on his uncensored thought process—often funny, sometimes serious, always fascinating—to demonstrate how he makes his pictures with these small flashes. Whether he’s photographing a gymnast on the Great Wall, an alligator in a swamp, or a fire truck careening through Times Square, Joe uses these flashes to create great light that makes his pictures sing.

From the Back Cover

When it comes to photography, it’s all about the light.

After spending more than thirty years behind the lens—working for National Geographic, Time, Life, and Sports Illustrated—Joe McNally knows about light. He knows how to talk about it, shape it, color it, control it, and direct it. Most importantly, he knows how to create it...using small hot shoe flashes.

In The Hot Shoe Diaries, Joe brings you behind the scenes to candidly share his lighting solutions for a ton of great images. Using Nikon Speedlights, Joe lets you in on his uncensored thought process—often funny, sometimes serious, always fascinating—to demonstrate how he makes his pictures with these small flashes. Whether he’s photographing a gymnast on the Great Wall, an alligator in a swamp, or a fire truck careening through Times Square, Joe uses these flashes to create great light that makes his pictures sing.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: New Riders Press; 1 Original edition (March 13, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0321580141
  • ISBN-13: 978-0321580146
  • Product Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (186 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #6,331 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
    #12 in  Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Reference
    #20 in  Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Digital Photography
    #30 in  Books > Computers & Internet > Digital Photography & Video

More About the Author

Joe McNally
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Average Customer Review
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150 of 164 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Gateway To Understanding Flash Photography, March 18, 2009
By Syl Arena (Paso Robles, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes (Paperback)
SPOILER:
'Hot Shoe Diaries' is pure McNally and the best book I've ever read on flash photography. Two words: "buy it."

LONG VERSION:
Joe McNally's photo secrets were kicked out of the closet by the skeletons a long time ago. That's great news for those of us who have become infatuated (and infuriated) with the use of small flash units. Joe's latest book 'The Hot Shoe Diaries' is an exposé that tells all. There's never been a book on flash photography that covers the subject so thoroughly, so beautifully and so humorously. I'm certain that 'HSD' will reign as the undisputed champion on flash photography for a long time.

The first thing to know about 'HSD' is that even Joe has a hard time taking himself seriously. Joe repeatedly demonstrates his understanding of where he stands in the universe by filling 'HSD' with memorable photos - such as the self-portrait where he uses a chicken as a lightstand. Joe's humor is what sets 'HSD' apart from other photo books. It is what protects us from mind-numbing concepts, such as the "Inverse Square Law" (when did Congress pass that one anyway?).

Joe starts with the basics: gear, the fundamentals of digital photography and simple flash. He moves on to talk about one light shots. And two light shots. And lots-a-lights shots. He talks about where to put the lights and what to put between the lights and the subject. He shares a lifetime of stories. He inspires and encourages. Like I said, "pure McNally."

As with his first book, 'The Moment It Clicks', Joe fills the covers of 'HSD' with amazing and beautiful photos. These are the heart of 'HSD.' It's one thing to talk about flash photography. It's entirely another to demonstrate it again and again with stunning images. [Thanks also to the book designer who ran a good number of photos as double-trucks, aka: two-page spreads.]

'HSD' is for photographers of all levels - novice to expert. If you read 'Clicks' and were among the few disappointed because it wasn't a "how-to" book with lighting diagrams and such, 'HSD' is the book you were looking for. Plan on reading it again and again. I guarantee that every time you do, you'll pick up something new.

SPECIAL NOTE To Non-Nikon Shooters - 'HSD' Is Non-Denominational
It's no secret that Joe is a Nikon guy. Nikon terminology is used throughout the book. If you shoot something other than Nikon, think of it like an American talking to a Brit [if "elevator" = "lift", then "Auto FP" = "High-Speed Sync" and "Rear Curtain" = "2nd Curtain"]. Does this mean that 'HSD' is Nikon-specific? Absolutely not. As a lifelong Canon shooter, I've no hesitation in recommending this book to shooters of all denominations. The ideas and illustrations are universal.
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77 of 87 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Not for newbies, April 20, 2009
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes (Paperback)
Pros:
1. If you are photography junkie, the book fun to read - feels like you are having a couple of cold ones with a pro, and he is kind enough to tell you about his work.
2. If you already have a solid understanding of flash photography, the book will help you to get to the next level. [...]
3. This book is extra helpful for Nikon shooters.

Cons:
1. If you are a newbie, phrases like "so I just dialed up the shutter speed to kill off the extra ambient light I didn't want in the shot" may not mean much. (not quoting here, just relaying what is sounds like)

The book does not contain many specific instructions a la Scott Kelby "the shutter speed controls the ambient light, and therefore when you reduce the shutter speed you are letting in additional ambient light which works great in certain applications for dimly lit scenes" right next to picture showing the difference. (Scott Kelby obviously sounds better than this)

Newbies want specific instructions with detailed settings information, and before and after samples! Most likely the book wasn't written for newbies (like myself) so can't really complain about it (I guess).

2. I love Nikon products just like any other loyal Nikonian, but sometimes the book sounds a bit like infomercial for Nikon products we may not need to get. For example, yes, SU-800 the wireless off-camera flash commander is great because it makes it very easy to control multiple flashes in multiple groups. Can't my D90 do the same thing (albeit for fewer groups)? Yes, one can take the SU-800 off-camera and put it in direct line of sight with flashes while I can't do that with D90 - ok, but then wouldn't Pocket Wizards / Radio Poppers do a better job anyway? So isn't the true reason Joe is constantly using the SU-800 is because his D3 can't control the flashes wirelessly unlike D80, D90, D200, D300, and D700 models? So why don't we see "if you are using D80, D90 etc. you may not need to drop $250 for SU-800 because of the reasons X,Y, and Z?"

3. I noticed many people left comments that Joe's type of humor is similar to Scott Kelby's in a bad way. That's not true, the difference is huge. Scott Kelby is funny (not rolling on the floor funny, but he makes you smile consistently, and occasionally you can't help but let out a giggle. Joe, with all due respect to his story telling abilities, is not funny.

Furthermore, Joe often sounds like a drunken sailor who recently went through company-mandated sensitivity training. Tolerable (frequent) uses of curse word replacements like "friggginnnnnnn", but in my opinion neither cute nor cool.

In summary, if you basically know what you are doing and want to take your flash photography to the next level - get the book, it's worth every penny. If you are a complete newbie like me - it's a toss up.
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36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Master Course in Flash Photography, March 23, 2009
By Donald T. Lupo (Marina del Rey, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Hot Shoe Diaries: Big Light from Small Flashes (Paperback)
I have been following Joe McNally via the Nikon DVDs featuring him and his incredible work. If you ever wanted to look right into the mind of this photographic genius and see how he thinks in regard to portable flash, this is the book for you.

In 25 years of photography both as a professional freelancer and full-time photographer, I have never learned as much in one sitting as I have from Joe McNally's new book. He goes in-depth and answers every question you could possibly have and then goes way beyond into exquisite (never boring) detail.

I have been a fan and follower of the Strobist techniques and have longed for a clear, detailed explanation of the concepts in one place. This book does that and then delivers far more.

The cost of this book is worth more than any course you could take: it is a master course with a true master. If you love photography and want to learn how to make portable flash your main light source, buy this book today. I am so happy I did.
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Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great.
As everyone says Joe McNnally is so talented and his pictures are proof of that. The author may be talking Nikon but the main things I get from this book is learning the... Read more
Published 2 days ago by David F.

5.0 out of 5 stars Happy I bought this book!
Once I picked this baby up, I couldn't stop reading it. Finally after many blogs, books, podcasts etc, I can finally see the "light". It is highly informative and very funny.
Published 24 days ago by Misha E.

2.0 out of 5 stars too Nikon focused
I'd read good things about this book, but I have to say I didn't care for it. It's overly Nikon-centric which would be great, I guess, if I owned Nikons, but it seems focused to a... Read more
Published 1 month ago by JBL

4.0 out of 5 stars Diaries are personal...but sometimes fun to read
Many others have detailed the pros and cons of this book, the most consistent attributes: Nikon-centric (true, this book's shelf life is over when Nikon moves on to another... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Nuncia

5.0 out of 5 stars great images, great examples
Review by Thorsten Gohl (member-Vancouver InDesign User Group)

The Hot Shoe Diaries - Big Light from small Flashes by Joe McNally (New Riders)

This is... Read more
Published 2 months ago by J. Kew

4.0 out of 5 stars Nikon users only - almost
A good book by a great photographer, wonderful images and lots of interesting insight. However, it is all about Nikon cameras and flashes, so for those of us that don't use Nikon,... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jackomo

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book, practical and useful
One of the best books about photography I ever read.

Fluent language, one-on-one private lesson with a true master. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Guy R. Shalev

5.0 out of 5 stars The Hot Shoe Diaries
My recent Instructor suggested this book to, mostly ,Nikon students. As a Nikon beginner, I find this book to be enjoyable,and very detailed in a user-friendly manner. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Lynn Harvey

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, could use more details
This was an excellent book about using flash in the real world. I appreciated all the descriptions of actual shoots, and the problems you run into that are never explained in your... Read more
Published 3 months ago by S. Ley

5.0 out of 5 stars Important Difference: Canon v. Nikon
The book is awesome. Buy it!

But, there is one *very important* difference between how exposure modes on Canon & Nikon work, that McNally doesn't mention. On p. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Hankk

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