I’ve got perhaps the ugliest legs in the world. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither were these. I’m actually sorta proud of how shabby their appearance is.
I grew up in an era, photographically, when we just didn’t know any better. We routinely carried 30-40 pound Domke bags around with us on one shoulder, turning spines into S curves, and what might have once been a normal gait into a disconnected shamble. Hell, I even used Anvil cases for a while there. Mishandle one of those getting it out of the trunk and it can snap a shin like dead twig.
These appendages have been operated on three times, had four casts, numerous tears, a couple of breaks, and a couple hundred stitches. I’ve been bitten by dogs three times, once really viciously. And, of course, I’ve put both my knees through the shredder known as thirty-five years of photography. You’re looking at the support structure for a condemned building.
All these damaging shenanigans means that, for quite a while, I’ve ambled about (that’s a generous description) like Walter Brennan. Last year, we finished a long, hard wedding and about 3am I sort of belayed my way down the block towards the studio truck, where Drew and Cali were waiting. Drew remarked, “You look like an old, sad, tired, injured rodeo clown.”
And these are the guys on my staff, who are actually paid to tolerate me. Can you imagine some reactions clients might have had when I did my scrape-thud, scrape-thud into their office? They hire me, thinking they’re getting this versatile, venerable lensman, and Igor shows up. “Walk this way!” All I’m missing is the hump, and I’m working on that.
One of these days, perhaps the knife, though not for now. No real guarantees that afterwards I can resume my side job as an Olympic pole-vaulter. Annie got me a Fitbit bracelet I’ve been wearing lately, which detects your daily travel, and during my last Kelby seminar day I walked over seven miles. And, coming soon, is news of another tough climb. So, I’m still in the game. I opted for the more temporary stay of execution of injections of a synthetic type of WD-40 for my knees, mixed with cortisone. A happy hour cocktail for my joints!
So yesterday they injected this slippery stuff into the structure of both my knees with a large bore needle that looks like they might have swiped it from the turret of a Sherman tank. (Hence the bandaids in the above pic.) Then the doc hit the plunger and the stuff sloshes in there. I keep thinking it might be like that adherent black goo from Spiderman III, the evil slime that overtook the already dark heart of the Peter Parker’s photo staffer replacement, Eddie Brock, the one who dummied up fake pictures of Spidey slinging bad juju all over town, and got turned into the creepy character, Venom. I wonder if I’ll wake up and my knees will have fangs.
The doc did a great job with the injections, though, admitting as he worked that he really, really hates needles, and can’t stand getting injected himself. I asked him if he’s ever sought counseling about this elephant sized irony sitting in the middle of his life, and he merrily replied no. He did say that his fear of needles makes him an excellent injection specialist, though, ’cause he’s very sympathetic about what the patient has to endure. Makes sense, actually.
We’ll see if this works, and helps forestall the inevitable consequences of a life trundling around cases of filled with the scrap iron of photo gear. I’ve still got more buildings to climb, and pictures to make, and I’m sure many of them are miles away, but worth walking after. More tk….
;
Hope that works for you Joe. Been down that road myself many years ago. Mine was a mix of novocaine and some type of steroidal drug. I don’t think my doctor was anywhere close to as precise as yours with the ultrasound. It was more like taking aim from a mile away…
You are definitely one hell of a photographer and a man!
Joe, you tell stories beautifully, imaginatively both with your photographs and your words. You capture thoughts and ideas with a perfect turn of phrase as your capture the moment with the perfect f-stop, aperture and shutter speed. Continue limping along on those support structures, my friend.
Joe, you tell stories beautifully, imaginatively both with your photographs and your words. You capture thoughts and ideas with a perfect turn of phrase as you capture the moment with the perfect f-stop, aperture and shutter speed. Continue limping along on those support structures, my friend.
Hope you get better! You still have lots and lots of miles to walk 🙂
Joe,
I had a Lumbar Epidurl Spine injection 2 months ago to relive pain inn my right cheek from a pinched nerve in my lower spine,so far so good. Remember Anvil cases,big camera and Video bags,hauling gear for shuttle remotes and dive gear for over 50 years. been walking(no running)swimming,so far so good. BTW last time I saw legs like that they were on one of Jerry’s kids.
Best fellow Nikon user.
Bernie Campoli
Panama City Beach,Florida
I hope you feel better Joe. My dad had something like that and it helped it a lot. I look foreword to your clicks and training. You and Ansel are my motivation.
Thanks
hope it all works… should get you another 30+ years of being a pack mule… is that good or bad news… 🙂
Wow Joe !!! I hope you feel better now !!!!
Best,
Hector!
Keep going Joe.
Your a great guy, inspiration to many, fantastic photographer
J
Not quite as bad but I started about the same time and know how you feel.
looks like you are on the road for a knee replacement or two. my husband just had one done. not on his top ten of fun things to do, but totally (no pun intended)worth it. Good luck, Andie
I feel your pain, Joe–literally. I feel like I am catching a double whammy too: my income is about 50% photography and 50% drumming. I am constantly emptying the truck of photo gear only to replace it with drum cases as I run from one gig to the next. My girlfriend remarked just the other day that my shins look “like they’ve been through a war”. Factor in the wear and tear that 27 years of playing and hauling gear has dumped on me and you’ll understand why, while loading out gear at 3am knowing that I have a 9 am shoot the next day, I frequently wish I played the harmonica instead.
Hope the injections help you out and keep you moving for years to come!
I know the feeling. There was a time when I would drop to my knees in a flash for a shot. Now I ponder whether that perspective is really necessary before committing to the pain.
Incidentally, It looks as of those shorts have put in at least as many miles as the legs!
Well, Joe, do not dance in the ballet 😉
I can relate both to the Marty Feldman comment (one of Mel Brook’s funniest movies) as well as the knees. You might want to get a second opinion – I was getting shots every 6 mos after they drained 90cc’s of fluid fm one knee each visit. Went to another doc who said arthroscopic surgery – went hiking around volcanoes in Hawaii 8 days after the surgery and haven’t needed a shot or drain in 15 yrs…
I had the same injection (Synvisc, I assume) into my similarly damaged and thrashed left ankle.The doc said that I’d probably be back in about 6 months for another series of shots. That was about 10 years ago I think. I’m a little fuzzy on the exact date because the stuff worked so well that I never went back. I hope that your shots work as well…
pp
It might help a bit if you took a little time between shoots and shows to actually rest a bit, instead of bounding about like a springbok on speed being chased by a cheetah.
Your dedication serves as an ultimate inspiration and constant reminder of what it takes to be at the top of the game. In other words, thank you, looking forward to seeing those pictures not yet taken.
I feel your pain….literally. I’m at 40 years myself and regret every shoulder bag and every sideline on one knee. But other than my knees and back and wrists and a few other things I’m fine. You will be too.
I can empathize with you. I have one bad wheel (my left knee ) let us know how well it works and how long it lasts. I’m 52 and my doctor suggested the same thing for me.
Joe,
Thanks for the heads up. Every time one of my joints pops in front of a client, it makes me nervous that they think I’m gonna fall apart in front of them.
If those injections don’t work, theres always knee replacements, just think of how much more you could do if you were the bionic photographer.
Love the blue skirt, and it seems that the fangs are alreadt growing in your toes! eheheheh! good luck with the knees.
maybe you should join Zack Arias and David Hobby and shoot with Fuji X100s. 😉
Hey Joe, Your crazy is showing again, you may wanna tuck that in!;)
Truly though, thanks for sharing and I think you have great looking legs!
DC
What a great confidence in us! With internet filled with triumph, youth, perfection, and flawless wisdom, a man like you, with all your accomplishments, telling us that that his career left him as many success as scars (literally) is a very important lesson. No triumph comes without struggle and scars, and those who think that a muse will take them to palaces of glory without struggle maybe should find another job, or another planet. Rest, take care yourself and recover. Maybe your’re the tired rodeo clown now, but show must go on and you are needed. At last, to save us from the mad bronco, jaja. Seriously, thank you, and recover!!
Best wishes for a quick and painless recovery. Maybe now you can start those “Riverdance” lessons. or RC’s wife can have you dancing in those pictures.
I hope it works out for you, Joe. You need to keep making awesome pictures for the rest of us to try and emulate.
Joe…having recently spent a glorious week learning from your masterful skills and infinite patience, I can tell you that, as one of your grateful students, you look and act much more like the rodeo bull than the rodeo clown. I am sure everyone who knows you feels the same way, even if it feels differently to you. Keep strong, god’s speed in recovery, and keep making magic with your camera and artful soul. You da man.
What sexy legs, Joe! Hope you be better now!
Put off the knee replacement as long as I could but it’s been done 2 years now and is the best thing I could have done. No pain and I can walk all day, tho’ carrying heavy loads may not be so good.
Joe – it is never too late to seek a talented physical therapist that will help you attain better muscle balance…orthpaedic only means strait leg…your could use some work…good luck
I feel your pain Joe!
Every one of those bumps and scars is well-earned. You’ve brought us amazing images because of your willingness to trek places that most of us either wouldn’t go, or don’t have the opportunity.
Hope the injections work for you!
Cheers,
~fotodog
You are preaching to the choir Joe, I am recovering from a double knee replacement (may 13th) . it won’t stop you cold but it will definitely slow your roll. just remember….its just a matter of time 🙂
It takes a brave man to put a picture of those legs out on the internet! I remember those anvil cases all too well, especially the time I jackknifed a dolly with a stack in the middle of the doorway of the Beijing airport. Val’s had those knee ejections a few times with great limited success. She gets the shots, goes out to play softball for 2 years, then limps back into the doctor for a new round. Good luck, hope to see you wandering around soon.
Next step : knee replacements
Take care, you’re a national treasure !
I am glad that I am not the only photographer with knees that are shot! Just had a ‘Medial Plication’ done on my right knee and I will find out soon if the left is as bad. I hope that the goo works and I trust that your knees don’t have fangs?
Joe,
I assume you were injected with Synvisc. It worked wonders for me. It was supposed to last about 6-12 months but it’s been several years and I still feel almost no pain. Great stuff. Best of luck with yours.
hiya Joe, I feel your pain..Im 23 years into a full time photo career and eating NSAID sandwiches, muscle relaxants and epidural steroid injections in my neck and lumbar. Doing what I can to lighten my load gear wise, but keep explaining to my PT that the assistant cant hold the camera when you shoot! not for a pj wedding and event shooter like me! keep the faith Bro!
Joe, those are some pretty ugly legs. I recently got a series of injections into my knees hoping to not rely on a cane as much. Unfortunately, I know knee pain since I suffered bilateral femur fractures not long after my twenty-third birthday in a paper mill. The spindle that is supposed to take the paper around took me for a spin. I have matching racing stripes on both knee caps and still plenty of pain that keeps me up at night and will eventually look to knee replacement like NBC’s Brian Williams did recently, but I have perhaps another fifteen years until then.
After the first injection, the next week I felt like my knee was on fire. I’m a couple weeks out from when the injections are supposed to be the most effective. Good luck to you.
Wish you well Joe! I really love reading your blog, it’s the only one I ALWAYS read. Great stuff 😉
I have a set of legs that look just that bad and a set of bad knees to match Man must be the career choice huh
What? Wait, do you mean knee pain isn’t normal?
Hang in there Joe.
John
I see no reason Drew cannot drive you around in a golf cart.
While my knee issues have been minor compared to those of such a warrior, here are a few things that have helped me. Strengthen one’s quads by simply doing a few leg lifts each day (lie on your back, leg straight, lift and slowly lower 15 times, switch legs, repeat). Use one of those bands under your kneecap that basketball players wear (no, you still won’t be able to dunk). Buy a Theraputic laser, while as costly as a high end camera, great for all kinds of recovery.
Well those dont look too shabby, you should see mine. They are a couple of hairy beasts for sure. 🙂
I hope it will help you out in your chase of more adventures!
As a dentist, I truly understand the comment of the syringe doc. I developed a “trademark” for painless injections just because I hated dentists so much as a kid. I know the feeling when the patient has that long gasp of air before I begin working…
Right there with you Joe. Had an injection last week and took my kids with me. I tried not to watch my 7 year old’s face when she saw the needle. It is not going to stop me from playing sports or lugging all my camera gear around with me everywhere I go.
Hope the treatment will work – wish you a rapid recovery!
Thanks for sharing your battle wounds! My new friend is KT Tape. This stuff work miracles and lets me function for the whole day without pain.
Between my sixth and seventh surgery on my right knee I tried an injection of synvisc … a concoction made from the key ingredient in chicken combs. I had 90 days of relief. My seventh surgery was total knee replacement. Its not bad. I do have to allow extra time at the airport to go through the full body scanner. I braced myself for a strip search. The knee clicks once in awhile, I can’t kneel on it and I can’t run or play tennis. But at least the knee doesn’t hurt anymore.
Hey Joe. I’m glad I was alone at work when I read this (7am) – you make the story so vivid I laughed out loud at the “scrape-thud”. Still am.
All the best with your Steve Austin shenanigans. Seriously.
And I thought I was bad. Hang in there bud it will get better
It might have been mentioned, but you can now have stem cells drawn from your bone marrow, spun, and injected into points of pain. There is also a treatment called PRP which has something to do with blood plasma. As a one-time 2;49 NYC marathoner, I’m keen to sign up.
50 lb Dommke bags perhaps…what about the time you were squatting 405 lbs down at the Gold’s Gym in Venice, CA? Me and Lou Ferrigno were there..we saw it. 😉
Yikes. I hate needles.
~ Mark
god bless you,
wish u get heal soon..up and running
I have really bad vein problems from being on my feet for so many years. I find now when doing portraits that I sit to do them. Being 375 lbs doesn’t help either.
Hope you get some relief.
Have You ever considered up to the neck support hose?
Hey Joe
I’ve seen nicer legs on a piano.
Seriously, I’ve had my share of knee injuries and subsequent surgeries. I can literally say I feel your pain.
Cheers
Joe Howe
There are many reasons, for you to get well.Your family loves and needs you, we need you.
There’s lots of work to do. Tons of lighting knowledge are left to learn from you. Get well quick, u lazy bum.
Take very good care of yourself. Follow all post operative instructions of your doctor without fail.
God bless you.
Very honoured to know you Joe and seeing how much you go through makes me think the very long way waiting ahead. Thank you..
You made me smile at the simple truths about life and photography, as usual. I hope the treatment works and feel better soon! Take care of yourself.
Considering the range of adventures you have participated in thus far those pins don’t look too bad Joe…
Hope the jabs provide you with a well deserved mileage and performance boost.
I’ve got one more round of shots like that next week. I end up getting it done about every 6 months (for the past 4 years now). Hope it helps and you get more years of service out of your knees.
What about auditioning as a model for KFC?
I don’t know how you keep smiling through the pain, but I wish you a speedy recovery and many more pain-free miles.
PS I bet you had an acidic response to the rodeo-clown comment :0)
Joe, we will never stay down! My neck fusion came apart and slid into my spinal cord, I go in for 4th spinal fusion in my neck tomorrow morning! Best of wishes and we will find ways to keep going if we crawl there!
Let me preface this by saying that I’m one of the “lucky” 10-15% of Osgood-Schlatter’s alumni whose knees never quite healed from the disease. Put another way, I’m about to turn 36 and I haven’t lived a day in my life since the age of 13 without knee pain. This includes stints playing rugby, playing guitar (and hauling amps and racks), and working as a gaffer and a grip (and hauling that gear). Being 6’4″ and 270 lbs has not made this situation any better – folding myself into an airplane seat for anything longer than an hour flight, for example, means I’ve got a couple of days before my knees feel “normal” again. I’ve lost count of the number of doctors who have “treated” my problem, usually with a scrip for one pill or another, and I’ve had em all. No thank you.
In the last month I’ve been working out at a new gym doing boot camp classes. My trainer modifies any impact exercise to eliminate stress on the knee, but more importantly, he has shown me why my knees hurt (muscular imbalance going on for 20+ years), and hooked me up with stretches and exercises,including foam rolling, aimed at eliminating my pain. I’m one month into this, and I’m delighted to say that my knees feel better than they have for as long as I can remember. I can now descend a staircase without pain. This is nothing short of a miracle.
I slept on whether or not to post this, because I don’t want to be one of those guys poo-poo-ing doctors and shots and cortisone and steroids and the like, because I believe they have their place. But, Joe, you’ve given me (and countless others) eloquently written free advice for so long, that I’d regret not sharing this in the hopes that if it doesn’t help you, it helps someone else. I’m living proof that “unfixable knee pain” can be fixed without needles, scalpels, or pills. I realize my route isn’t for everyone. And if it doesn’t help you, hopefully it helps a fellow reader. Cheers.
Joe – Let me know what you think of the FitBit Flex after using it a while. Thinking about getting one as a motivator for more exercise.
When I saw those legs I thought that this was another post about a ballerina.
Good on ya Joe, I have similar knees from years of hiking, climbing, skiing etc. A few surgeries as well. Been getting these injections for about a year now and they are AWESOME. A new lease on life . . . at least until they figure out how to slip replacement cushioning washer in there, enjoy!
Many thanks, to Ben and all the other folks who have commented on my lamentable legs! They still carry me forward, and I hope they hang in there! All the best to all!
OMG – Joe, I gotta admire the diversionary tactics of NOT feeling/watching that slimmy goo being injected by asking the Doc about his own physical/mental/emotional issues. You know how to get into a person’s head!
You take care of those precious legs that will carry you on to many more “McNally” adventures!
You’re awesome!
Joe:
Quite a self portrait. Again, you out kicked your coverage with Annie. I got a Fitbit about a month ago. Good for the gentle nudge to keep moving.I have a shoulder like your knee. It locked up once – a frozen shoulder – that physical therapy could not fix. The orthopedist gave me a cortizone injection with what I swear was a turkey baster with a piece of pipe attached to it. Never thought it would work, but it unfroze it, and got back to functionality with more PT. Got to take care of yourself. You are too valuable a resource for all of us.
But as we tell our kids.
Be careful when you take and post your selfies. Lots of people will see it.
Bill
Wishing you, your knees and those around you well.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us so openly. I can see why you connect so well with people and produce the amazing images you do.
Don’t suffer too much for art.
Take care!
I hate to say I know the feeling, but I do. Going on about 20 months of physical therapy to avoid shoulder surgery, on a shoulder that was repaired over a decade ago with five pieces of titanium. I honestly miss carrying my biggest camera backpack, but I’m beginning to realize I need to cut down the weight my body carries. Oh yeah, both knees already “cleaned-up” through arthroscopic surgeries in the 1990s, mostly due to overuse (right) and one bad accident (left). It’s back to the orthopedic doctor for me on Monday for some cortisone in the shoulder. Really hope you feel better soon.
I don’t remember who said this, but it was given at a commencement speech”take care of your knees, your going to need them”. As one of a similar age I feel your pain and should of taken better care of all my joints.
Hey Joe,
Thanks for sharing at Skip’s U. It’s always inspirational listening to you. I share a similar path, many un-published great stories while I was on staff at the Chicago Sun-Times for 14 years. Now, no more photographers there, just reporters with iPhones.
I don’t think of you as an old rodeo clown! As long as you keep pursing the next image and strive for excellence you’re never too old. Keep the joy juice flowing in your knees.
Cheers,
Bob
Feel better Joe. Thanks for sharing.
Troy
Joe, I hate to pour gasoline on a fire but damn, look at those wrinkly hands. Once we reach a certain age, we begin to understand why the Spaniards risked their lives 500 years ago looking everywhere for the fountain of youth.
the hands have seen alot of miles, too, John…for sure….
Dear Joe, My legs are prettier than yours from the front but turn me round and I have varicose veins in my left leg. I am a bit older than you. yes a press photographer – you remember how heavy a 600m Nikkor could be? Came in two halves? And the 1500 Watt flash packs?, I could go on. My own knees need seeing to but I refuse to have surgery because of possible MRSA or worse. I work out, jog and row. I know I shouldn’t but I do. And for a while it’s all ok but yes, coming down stairs as a poster said. Its like a spear in the knee. At least the pain reminds us we are alive. Good luck and keep on going, and I hope you get better.
sizi dinlemek zevk veriyor başarılarınızın devamını bekliyoruz
Damn. I hope you are feeling ok. I practice medicine as an NP during the day, but shoot weddings on weekends (passionate 2nd job). I also run 6 days/week and fear this will be my fate in 20 years. Get well soon! -Chris
Hope the injections work. If you aren’t floating around in a few days, it may be worth trying physical therapy. The therapists work miracles strenthening the muscles around your knees so you almost don’t need for your knees to actually work. My story may be different from yours, but I now have moments where I’m filled with the simple joy of movement. Moments where it is easy to move and pain free. You should have moments when movement is as easy and fluid as that of the dancers you photograph. (It only seems fair.) Wishing you the best.
My knees are OK until I kneel down to long, but my back and neck are always hurting, it,s the dark side of photography that no one talks about.
Joe: thanks for the words as well as pictures. My legs got unbowed after knee replacement but better yet when I became a photo editor. Lasted 43 years at the St Louis POST DISPATCH.
Still teaching photojournalism at Webster University. I admire your grit and cojones – be careful up there, old friend. 7a.m. at the top of the tower.Wow.
I remember when you came to the National Ignition facility a few years ago. You were moving around quite gingerly, and I think it was Cali who said he had broken you down with his cross-over dribble during a game of hoops. Then we went on to talk about your basketball playing days and the time you played at Rucker Park. Who would of thought that a career in photography would have your poor knees in more pain than a career in the NBA. Take care of yourself, and I hope to see you again in the future.
Shots don’t work, had plenty, all you get is the fear you’ll jerk your leg and break off the needle under your knee.cap.
Bet you have the House of Horrors sound effects collection every time you bend your knees too.
If it weren’t for the reduction in flexibility with new knee joints, I’d have had mine replaced years ago.
Move somewhere warm and sunny, where they don’t have a word for winter, it worked for me.
Let us know how to find you on fitbit… love to have you in the weekly rankings!
Maybe you have to lose weight Joe to help your knees. I think it’s good for your overall health as well. I think David Ziser is doing it. That may mean going easy on the beer 🙂
Yikes, Joe! How’s the knee now?