MY JOE MCNALLY MOMENTS

As I enter my 6th year in professional photography, I found myself gasping for inspiration having hit the shutter button several hundred thousand times. over the years. As an accomplished artist, the thing that really hurts the most isn’t the physical pain that comes with the work but the times I’ve found myself occasionally chugging along on an empty tank on the brink of engine failure. So when I was in Singapore last December for the Singapore Tourism Board invitation, I went shopping for inspiration and picked up a copy of one of Joe McNally’s The Moment It Clicks. Little did I know then that I was going to meet the legendary magazine photographer in Kuala Lumpur two months later.

Quoting my Facebook post right after the Kuala Lumpur event on Feb 6 2010:

The Joe McNally Let There Be Light Seminar in Kuala Lumpur organised by WedShooter.TV was an intoxicating mix of Inspiration and Humour. The Hot Shoe Diaries Workshop gave me an opportunity to discover the precious and privileged insight into Joe’s personal and professional journey. Thank you Louis Pang.

Interested in meeting Joe in person? Check out the Joe McNally Asian Tour 2011
Catch other industry creative professionals at Creative Asia 2011

See Joe McNally in action at the Hot Shoe Diaries workshop and Let There Be Light Seminar
End of Hot Shoe Diaries Workshop group photo with Joe McNally on Feb 5 2010

Inspiration is what motivates us and keeps us pressing toward a goal. The Moment It Clicks does that for me and I highly recommend this to any photographer looking for a boost (caffeine optional). Inclusion of the red mouse is by no means a pun, intentional or otherwise.

It’s an honour to have Joe autograph not one but both his books including The Hot Shoe Diaries.

Joe brought in limited copies of his other book from the States, The Hot Shoe Diaries. I bought a copy to go with The Moment It Clicks and am delighted to have it autographed too.

Photographing people doing their thing and everything in between is what I do. It’s all about capturing the right moment—the moment it clicks! If you’re looking for book recommendation you cannot go wrong with The Moment It Clicks. In the book’s foreword by Scott Kelby, “Joe is one of the most captivating public speakers you’ll ever meet, and the whole class is ooohing and ahhhing each time a new image comes up.”  The book, if that’s your thing, is just as captivating in my honest opinion, coming from someone who has read both books and moved so much at his workshop and seminar.

See Joe McNally in action at the Hot Shoe Diaries workshop and Let There Be Light Seminar

Expressions of Joe during the Hot Shoe Diaries workshop introduction.

LOUIS PANG WORKSHOP IN BRUNEI

The  folks at Brunei Forever Forum have taken over as organiser of the Louis Pang Workshop. Please check with them for details. — Jan Shim 19 Feb 2009

Hi Jan, I am keen to organize our workshop “Shoot Like a Pro” in Brunei next year. It is a one-day workshop of portraiture and lighting. I will make a trip to Brunei to finalize the logistics. Thank you very much for your offer to help. It means a lot coming from a photographer of your stature. — Louis Pang

It’s 4.30-ish am here and this post is somewhat overdue. Louis and I “met” in what I consider an uncanny circumstance and it was this Manchester United post that connected us. Since then, we have been keeping in touch over IM for a while and during this time, he’s invited me to shoot with him  either in KL or KK on a number of occasions and not once have I been able to, yet. So when Louis wrote to me recently  (I did say ‘somewhat overdue’) to explore a possibility of running a workshop in Brunei I thought, “Why not!”  there’s no better time than right now as the demand for cameras sees a surge and besides, not only have DSLRs become a lot more affordable, revolutionary features have also made them very exciting to own!

I also know for a fact that there are many who love his work and there’s nothing more rewarding to Louis and I than seeing participants walk away with skills and inspiration to work the magic with your equipment. I’m scouting for possible venues with an eye on the following:

1. Workshop venue to hold about 50 ppl, air-conditioned, LCD projector + sound system
2. Ideally the venue is strategically located amongst places we can shoot within walking distance

I’ve noticed that majority of workshops have traditionally been held in classrooms. Four walls and a small exit door doesn’t inspire creativity or learning as far as I’m concerned. Personally, I would love to have an outdoor workshop but how feasible this is remains to be seen. But you get the idea.

To get an idea of the what the workshop entails, check out Louis’ blog:

• WORKSHOP 2009 OFFICIAL
• WHAT WE DID AT LAST WEEK’S WORKSHOP
• WORKSHOP PRE-REQUISITES

Feel free to post your thoughts about this workshop including any ideas or suggestions you may have. You’re welcome to leave Louis a message too. If you’re interested, you may want to bookmark this post for pricing and other updates. Make this workshop one of your 2009 resolutions!This short trip to Singapore, the laptop stays home and access to the web will either be very limited or none at all.

Psst, I am back on Facebook. Check out the JAN SHIM PHOTOGRAPHY page.