Photoshop Insider

Joe McNally Reminds Me What a Small World It Is

By Scott on Thursday, May 8th, 2008 at 3:12 am | updates.

Last week, on my way to work, I returned a call from my buddy Joe McNally. Joe answers and we BS for just a minute, and then he tells me that he can’t really talk long because he’s in the middle of doing a book signing at Borders Bookstore. Of course, I apologize for interrputing his signing, but he says, “Hold on a for a sec” and then I hear the sound of shutter buttons. He tells me he just had a photo taken of him during the signing, because he wanted me to see that right behind him was a display with both my and Matt Kloskowski’s books (you can see the orange corner of my Lightroom book behind Joe’s shoulder, in the shots above by Stephen Hindley).

Anyway, I told him I’d let him go, but before I hung up, I asked him, “Which Borders are you in?” thinking he’d say he was in Connecticut or New York, but he says, “I’m in the Mall of the Emirates, in Dubai.” I was floored, especially since I had just been in that same exact store, in that same exact mall, just two weeks earlier. What a small world, eh?

Then, after I hung up and continued on my way to work, it hit me. “Hey, how come I didn’t get to do a book signing when I was in Dubai?” (I know. I know. It’s because I’m not Joe McNally. I totally understand).

Anyway, I thought it was such a cool thing that Joe got to do this (he was teaching over there at the Gulf Photo Plus Conference at the time), and that the people of Dubai think as highly of Joe’s work over there as we do here in the States.

Comment form for this post

^#1

Hi Scott, Glad to see a couple of pictures from Joe’s visit to Dubai. I do have one here from the same session that shows most of the book stand off to Joe’s left with at least 4 of your books! Let me know if you want it. It was a pleasure meeting Joe and having a chance to chat briefly. Regards, Stephen

Stephen Hindley on May 8th, 2008 at 4:15 am

^#2

Great shots! Sometimes it feels like a small world, but really, has the world ever been bigger? It’s possible to go anywhere we like making it a huge world. 100 years ago it was a small world ‘cos it was hard and expensive to travel far, today the sky is (almost) the limit!

Flemming Bo Jensen on May 8th, 2008 at 4:29 am

^#3

Hi Scott.

You have been a tremendous inspiration to me starting with photoshop seminars, photography and now light room. I have read all your books and have read all the follow up recommendations as well. I still go back to them and reference them every week(not to mention read your daily blog). I just wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done and keep up the good work. Photography rocks!!!!!

I noticed there is a new traveler tripod gitzo 1541t on sale at b and h. Apparently it has the g lock system and can support something like 16 lbs making it much more sturdier then then 1540t. I was wondering if you knew anything about it and if you were going to get one.

signed

“your favorite fan” ….just kidding!!!

Jeff on May 8th, 2008 at 9:55 am

^#4

Do you think YOU ON A DIET was positoned in the photo on purpose??
I’ve met Joe and just thought I’d ask. :-))

Martin Howard on May 8th, 2008 at 11:58 am

^#5

Hello Scott:

It just amazing me at the information that I glean from your blog… And to realize even more how international your readers are just has to give you a warm feeling inside as I know it permeates in your writings etc.

I just have a couple of questions about your connection with Joe:
Did u call him on your iphone?
Did he answer on an iphone or some other smart phone….

I am just curious…

Ciao!

Victor

Victor

Victor Hudson on May 8th, 2008 at 12:39 pm

^#6

Scott:

Did you bring back or wear any of those long white gowns worn by the men in Dubai in the photos you posted above?

It could be a great photo op for your Mid East digital books if you photo of you appeared on the back of your books wearing
one of the red checked Arabic head wraps and the long white flowing gown with the logo NAPP in black letters! Once your books are translated into Arabic, the world is your oyster. Better than eating at Carmines.

Larry W. on May 8th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

^#7

Scott,

I wasn’t sure how to contact you about this, but a comment here works just as well as anything else I suppose. I recently purchased the Metz 54 MZ-4 flash that you recommended in Vol. 2 of your Digital Photography Book. I found it for a great deal at KEH and purchased the SCA 3102 flash base for my Canon 30D. I’m not quite sure how to get the flash off my camera though and hook it to my camera. I thought you might have some know-how since you had recommended the unit in the book. I hope you can help.

Eric

Eric on May 8th, 2008 at 7:52 pm

^#8

went to an adorama event with him last night and was blown away… but this totally sounds like something he would do

kayla keenan on May 9th, 2008 at 5:30 pm

^#9

Hi Scott,

I had the pleasure of attending Joe’s classes in Dubai, the third time I have seen him. Who else would head out to the beach in the worst light on the planet and show us how to use FP sync to fire banks of SB-800s at 1/8000 sec? Talk about making silk from a sow’s ear!!!

I have seen one of your books at Borders translated to Arabic.

Next time you are here, let us know on the blog. Promotions are not always very effective here, so the blog is the best medium to keep photogs informed. If you have a book signing, I’ll bring my personal Kelby library….

Jay Mann on May 11th, 2008 at 5:24 am

^#10