Page Arizona & Slot Canyons help

[LCPhotography]

Hello guys,
My name is Jonathan and I am trying to plan a Arizona weekend trip next weekend and would love any tips or advice on places to shoot. So far all I have is Antelope valley slot canyons. I will be leaving Orange county Friday afternoon and should be in AZ around 4-6 am. Then ill have sat and sun to spend in AZ and will be departing sunday afternoon!

It seems from some research I have done that you need a tour guide to take you up, I checked out a couple and they range greatly in price, i found one by carol bigthumb called a photo tour that lasts all day!

Current gear list consists of a 30D, 16 gig of CF, 80 gig space drive, 10-22, 35L, 24-70, 70-200, 180 macro and various other bits!

Thanks for any help!

[tom1s]

Horseshoe Bend is just south of Page and worth the effort. There are a lot of great areas to check out within 100-150 miles of Page. North rim Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Zion, Bryce, Canyon de Chelly, to name a few.

[argyle]

You'll need a guide for the Upper Antelope Canyon. There are a few in downtown Page...a guided photo tour goes for 2 hours (be sure to specify photo tour) and will run about $45 or so (including transportation from Page). Lower Antelope Canyon does not require a guide. Before going to Lower Antelope, be sure to check the weather forecast...it can be prone to flashflooding. At this time of year, you'll want to do Upper Antelope sometime around noon or so for the best light...confirm with the guide. For a guide, I went with Chief Tsosie (928-645-5594), located in Page on Lake Powell Boulevard (www.antelopeslotcanyon.com).

Upper Antelope Canyon:


About 5 miles south of Page is Horseshoe Bend...best time to shoot at this time of year is early afternoon. This was taken with a fisheye somewhere around 2pm:


There's also Canyon X...this is only accessible by a single outfitter. I forgot their name, but you can google 'Canyon X' to get the info. This outfitter is located caddycorner across the street from Chief Tsosie. It should be possible to do upper/lower antelope and Horseshoe on the same day, then Canyon X the next if you're interested in that. Bryce Canyon is a few hours north of Page. Thirty minutes north of Page is the Wave formation...this is about a 3-mile hike in to the Wave over sliprock and desert. You'll need a permit to do this visit, but you probably don't have time to apply for the on-line lottery at this point. Your other option is to go to the Ranger station the day prior that you'd like to do the Wave...here, several spots are available and names are drawn from a hat. Then there's also Wahweap Hoodoos, also about thirty minutes north of Page...another 3-mile hike in through a wash strewn with river rock...very rough on the feet (the wife is still ticked about that one). As you can tell, there's quite a bit to do and see. Have fun.

[sparker1]

In addition to these suggestions, you might consider hiking to the Paria Rimrock hoodoos (about a mile) on route 89 about MM20 I think. Paria Valley (MM 31) is a good scenic drive, as is Cottonwood Canyon Rd (MM 18) if you have time. It is 46 miles long. Another slot canyon is Wire Pass, which leads to Buckskin Gulch. The trailhead is the same as for North Coyote Buttes (The Wave), but you don't need an advance permit.

[flyfisher]

Depending when you are going you could also get a permit for the wave. I wasn't aware of this location when we were out there a couple of years ago.

[FlyingPhotog]

@ the OP: Your're going to want a tripod for Antelope Canyon...

[argyle]

As far as gear goes, a tripod goes without saying. Cable release, angle finder (not definitely required, but would be nice to have along for those low compositions), any type lens from wide angle to mid-telephoto/zoom (depending on what you're after). I definitely would not recommend changing lenses inside the canyon...too much dust getting kicked up. I'd choose one lens and go with it (if you have a second body, you can always put an alternate lens on it). FWIW, my 17-40L remained glued to my 5D in the upper canyon. Also, keep your rocket blower or whatever you use to blow off dust in your pocket. A small flashlight also helps to see your settings on the top LCD. You can get some beautiful colors in the canyon at different times of the year...around this time, lots of deep browns, purples, and oranges. The picture in my above post was taken in mid-October. Use your polarizer in the canyon...it'll make for longer shutter speeds, but the results will be worth it. Be sure to bracket your shots.

One last thing...keep your lens hood on to protect from accidental bumps from others (the canyon can get crowded) or from accidentally touching the canyon walls. This was also taken in mid-October:

[LCPhotography]

Thanks for all the help guys.
I def. want to see The Wave, Canyon X, Horseshoe Bend, and or Antelope Valley.
Im just trying to budget it out, I need a new tripod, mines broken.
As well as a CP filter.
And one nights rest in a hotel.
Argyle your pictures are great!

[FlyingPhotog]

Originally Posted by LCPhotography

Thanks for all the help guys.
I def. want to see The Wave, Canyon X, Horseshoe Bend, and or Antelope Valley.
Im just trying to budget it out, I need a new tripod, mines broken.
As well as a CP filter.
And one nights rest in a hotel.
Argyle your pictures are great!

FYI .. Canyon X is not on land where the public can just drive up. You will definately need a guide and AFAIK, they have to be approved for Canyon X as not all guides or tour companies are such.

Doing a walkup at The Wave is a lottery situation but of late, people seem to be having pretty good luck.

As with all things in the desert/high country: Drink water early and often and watch the weather very carefully.

This is Lower Antelope:



But so was this:
http://www.pbase.com/flyingphotog/image/86041851

Not intending to be a "downer" but Mother Nature wins all bets...

Hope you have a great trip and I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say:
SHOW US YOUR SHOTS WHEN YOU GET HOME!

[LCPhotography]

i booked a guide to canyon x for saturday, i might have to skip the wave =\
so the plan is so far
canyon x sat morning
horseshoe bend sun morning and lower ant valley
then head on home
anyone ever use calumets cp super multi coated filters?
Calumet 7300 tripod?
Joby Gorillapod SLR ZOOM version?

[argyle]

I just noticed your gear list...you may want to consider renting a wider angle lens, such as a Canon 10-22 or a Sigma 10-20. 17mm on a crop, I don't believe, will be able to capture most of Horseshoe Bend unless you want to take several pics and stitch them together.

This pic below was taken with a 17-40L at 17mm on a 5D...17mm on a crop is closer to 28mm in 35mm terms...you'll have less of the bend in view. Just something to think about before you head out to Page.

[FlyingPhotog]

Originally Posted by argyle

I just noticed your gear list...you may want to consider renting a wider angle lens, such as a Canon 10-22 or a Sigma 10-20. 17mm on a crop, I don't believe, will be able to capture most of Horseshoe Bend unless you want to take several pics and stitch them together.

This pic below was taken with a 17-40L at 17mm on a 5D...17mm on a crop is closer to 28mm in 35mm terms...you'll have less of the bend in view. Just something to think about before you head out to Page.

Good suggestion, I only had a 24-105 for FF (Had a 10-22 and a 20D but didn't use it as well as I should have...) and it definately wasn't wide enough.

[LCPhotography]

Lucky me i bought a 10-22 a couple months ago!
I was thinking of using that as my main lens and the 24-70 as the secondary lens
Iuno how much ill be using the 35 or 70-200!

[samanan]

I took the non-photography tour (90 minutes) in June. I took the tour from the Upper Antelope Canyon entrance, not any of the guided tours from Page. Had some misgivings early on. But it worked out fine. The tour guide made sure that we had time to take our photos, threw sand to create the sunbeams and pointed out locations to get good photographs. I noticed that the other tour guides were doing the same thing. I think all the tour guides have done this so many times now, that they could do it in their sleep

The difference between the photography and non-photography tour is that you get 30 minutes more on the photography tour.

One note of advice. Make sure that you reach the Upper Antelope Canyon entrance atleast 45 minutes in advance. It is best to go on the noon tour (for June, July) if you want to catch the sunbeams.

[LCPhotography]

Any idears where to stay guys?
I would love to sleep in my car to save money and such or cheap hotels in the area?