Winter In New York

January 22, 2015 Joe McNally 42 Comments

A long time ago, on 7th Avenue.

I’m probably jinxing things here, because it hasn’t been too bad a winter in NY–so far. But man, I used to pray for bad weather. I was living in the city, in the Hotel Beacon, old school, back when the city was broke and the west side of Manhattan was rotting right there along with all the unpicked up garbage. My room cost $210 a month, inc. electric. No air conditioning. Cockroaches big enough to kick ass and take names. My take home pay was $109 a week, as I remember. Things were tight. I was just out of school, and I made noise about it to my mom, about how I didn’t think any job I would get right away could float a NYC apartment. Her response? “Don’t think you’re living here.” I headed for Manhattan.

I worked at the Daily News as a copyboy, and found over time I could submit photos to the newspaper. I couldn’t get an assignment, of course, but what happened on the street was fair game. A daily newspaper like The News always needed weather pictures. Sunny day in the park, torrential rain floods the streets, winter winds blow New Yorkers down the avenue. This I could do. If it was published, I’d get an extra $25 bucks in my paycheck, or, if you look at it this way, a 25% raise for the week. Front page? 100 bucks. High times, big money. Good week. Maybe not McDonalds for an evening or two.

On the odd occasion I got page one, I got a back slap from a couple of the wonderful shooters there who were my mentors, like Danny Farrell, or Jimmy McGrath. I would get the back of the hand from many other veteran shooters on the staff, the ones who outright couldn’t shoot, or were insecure in their skills. That’s a phenomenon I’ve seen repeated to this day. Photogs who are confident, secure about their abilities, help others along and dig it when their pictures get better. Others, not so much. They get scared and bitter, and both their pictures and their personalities wither.

I prayed for rain, snow or sleet. Or sun. Sun so hot a pair of cats took refuge with an ice cream cone.

Or a dog with his tongue out.

Weather pictures. I came in once with a warm weather picture of an enormous lady in a sundress, sitting on a park bench, bending way over to feed the pigeons. Her dress barely contained her boobs, which, when compressed against her knees while she was feeding the flying rats, looked like a pair of seriously explosive air bags. I was prepared to duck. I was working the news desk that night, and Joe Kovach, the editor, started bellowing with laughter. He shouted across the newsroom, “Joe, this isn’t a weather shot! This is a whether or not shot!”

All these years later, bad weather still makes for good pictures. More tk…

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Comments

Dave says

January 22, 2015 at 7:18 pm

The rest of the internet can stop posting cat pictures.

Joe just won.

Thank you for playing.
Darren Elias says

January 22, 2015 at 8:25 pm

Cool story, Joe. Thanks for sharing it. I loved, of all things, “don’t think you’re living here!”
Don says

January 22, 2015 at 9:03 pm

Great pics. As a former newspaperman I know what you mean about weather photos (stories, too.)
Rodney says

January 23, 2015 at 3:43 am

Dear Flickr folks, if you absolutely have to take a picture of a cat this is the way to do it.
Robert says

January 23, 2015 at 7:42 am

Amen to bad weather for better photos. Of course, I live in FL so it’s relative: 1-2″ of rain but 70°F
Craig says

January 23, 2015 at 10:25 am

And rookies had to use their full first name ie Joseph in the photo credit. Always maintain your sense of humor. It makes the world a much brighter spot.
JerseyStyle Photography says

January 23, 2015 at 11:24 am

Great post, Joe. Love your photojournalistic findings. And weather, like clouds, always bring the drama.

On tap this weekend in NJ….snow, sleet, freezing rain. Yipee!
Bob says

January 23, 2015 at 12:01 pm

Former editor in New York who lived through the vast changes in newspapers. I knew Joe Kovach from Costello’s and a couple of other newspaper hangouts. An old-fashioned tabloid editor and a great one at that.
Laura says

January 23, 2015 at 12:31 pm

These are seriously golden!
Dianne Arnold says

January 23, 2015 at 9:23 pm

A North Dakota/Minnesota citizen living in sunny San Diego. Do I know about weather – the great, the bad, the UGLY!
Love this post and the cat image is one for the ages.
Cheers!!
Bill Bogle Jr. says

January 23, 2015 at 9:54 pm

$210 a month including electric? Electric alone is well north of that now. How big was it? A mime box? 8′ by 8′ by 8′? On a day that SI decided to go without staff photographers, I guess we can all wonder how the next generation is finding jobs and making content.

Great post Joe.
clinton ferrara says

January 23, 2015 at 9:57 pm

Great story and photos. Those editors missed the boat by not getting you to write your own copy.
Ralph says

January 23, 2015 at 9:58 pm

Sad Joe, but I think you got paid more then, than what the papers are paying today. Even without inflation. Way cool photos as always.
Jim Donahue says

January 23, 2015 at 9:59 pm

Sad News about the shooters at SI, where is all this headed.
Rob Smith says

January 24, 2015 at 2:19 am

This was a wonderful insight into the real “glamor” of being a photographer back in the days. A while back, I accidently rode through New York on my motorcycle. On an exit, I saw a car that looked like it had been in an accident, then a fire. But it was only pilaged. So when Joe describes his life from a time when New York was less refined, it pulls me into the past. Someone has got to do a movie about his life. Not just cuz his photos rock in so many ways. He is just flat-out, interesting and funny among other praiseworthy things.

One more thing. My local camera store had a Joe McNally Ezybox on the floor today. Of COURSE I bought it!
Joe McNally says

January 24, 2015 at 9:00 am

Hey Bill…yeah, it was def. a hot box. I came home one night and I had one of those candles, you know, from college, a big fat candle. And it was just melted, right there on my dresser. And yes, the SI news hurts emotionally, for sure. Sad, sad, sad….
Tony Drumm says

January 24, 2015 at 9:36 am

Hey, Joe. Why is it when I read your stories about the old days working for the paper, I see images in my head of Jimmy Olsen?
Meghan Stewart says

January 24, 2015 at 11:35 am

I love “bad weather still makes for good pictures”….Hope all is well with you and yours.
Jonathan Barnes says

January 25, 2015 at 11:03 am

“Photogs who are confident, secure about their abilities, help others along and dig it when their pictures get better. Others, not so much. They get scared and bitter, and both their pictures and their personalities wither.”

This holds true with musicians as well. Always be willing to share and pass it down!
William Chinn says

January 25, 2015 at 12:37 pm

Review how to winterize your camera because the storm of all storms is expected to hit NYC/Boston in the next couple of days.
John Slaytor says

January 25, 2015 at 4:33 pm

Hey Joe

I think your point about generosity is spot on – creativity is nourished by generosity not competition.
Rob Feiner says

January 25, 2015 at 11:43 pm

Well, Joe, I guess you jinxed the weather with your post, because we’re now getting a blizzard! Can’t wait for your next post on the weather, which I’m sure will be in July after a mild summer — and what will we get then?! 🙂

Great post about the gritty old City and breaking into the business.

And I bet some of those old cockroaches from the Hotel Beacon are still alive and reminiscing about that old place too!

If you’re in the tri-state area the next couple days, stay safe and warm!
Lewis w says

January 26, 2015 at 10:22 am

Seriously jinxed the weather, Joe.
Tim McBroome says

January 26, 2015 at 11:23 am

Fun little story, thank you Joe. I always enjoy your posts and all of your tips & tricks videos, plus a couple of your books. You have helped to keep me inspired over the last few years. You rock!!!
Mikey Norman says

January 26, 2015 at 12:09 pm

Hi Mr. McNally. Love your pictures and Flash Photography. I’m new to flash photography as a hobby. I’m sad because my pictures don’t seem to come out like yours. I’ve been buying the Joe Lastolite items and following your videos. Do I have to have 40 years experience to get good results. I would like to be a flash photographer like you. What’s the best advice for me using just SB 910’s and the Joe McNally Signature products only. Lastly is my Nikon D700 outdated. Thanks so much. I love all your videos including the language of Light DVD’s which I watch everyday. When I think of Photography I think of Joe, then I think of light. Mikey Norman. Memphis, TN
Anoop says

January 26, 2015 at 6:10 pm

Hi Joe,
I’ve been following your blog for some time. I always look forward to reading your posts. My reason, honestly is not because of your photos. It’s your writing.

Enough has been and gets said about your photos. They are great. Your recent award is clear evidence. More will be said about your photos even after you retire (not soon hopefully). However, I’m not sure how many people realise what a great writer you are. The way you describe your experiences, pictures, memories and the injected humour is also world class.

Had you not picked up a camera and continued down the journalist path I’m sure you would’ve accomplished the same success.

Thanks. Take care
Joe McNally says

January 28, 2015 at 9:05 am

Many thanks for the kind words, Anoop. I do have fun writing the blog, so hopefully some folks enjoy reading it….all the best…
Louis Dallara says

January 28, 2015 at 8:13 pm

Great work Joe, stay warm lol
Pin says

February 1, 2015 at 1:36 am

Inspiring story Joe. Thanks for sharing.
Mark Carruther says

February 9, 2015 at 11:30 pm

Great post Joe… Having Just finished the Al Michael’s biography, there is something very refreshing about people who make it to the upper echelon of their craft yet remain humble to both share their knowledge and continue to learn. Thank you for sharing your wisdom…
Chris says

February 22, 2015 at 8:37 pm

We stayed at the Hotel Beacon for our honeymoon in 04. First time in NYC for us. We booked our room there as we were driving along i90 near Albany. It was a last minute plan but it turned out to be our best time there. A real mix of old time residents and newbies like us. A resident down the hall played his TV at full blast 24/7. Our room faced Broadway on the 7th floor and I was in awe at the huge building across and south of our view…the Ansonia I think. I’m sure you know it. The Fairway market across the street was full of great NY eats I bet you bought some cold cuts there…and there was a ballet studio above it, we could see in the windows, where kids practiced their routines. What a great neighborhood Joe. Loved the tale of the melted candle. Man that musta been hot.
Thanks for the memory shot Joe.
Darragh says

February 25, 2015 at 6:48 am

Great work Joe – thanks for sharing.
Francisco says

March 1, 2015 at 9:24 am

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Amruta says

February 24, 2016 at 4:54 am

Whoa.. inspiring read. The way you have put your words here is really touchy and I can feel the struggle you had in those days… Awesome.. your picture says everything!