Live in Vegas? I have a question for you.

I'm thinking of grabbing a cheap flight to Vegas and just going right past the lights and bling. Thought I could shoot some desert landscapes and such. How far out of town do you have to go before it gets scenic? I figure the cheap hotels would be closer to the edge of town too, but I'm not looking to die in Vegas so within reason.

I'd ride shotgun on that trip.

SlowBlink wrote in post #5639059
I'm thinking of grabbing a cheap flight to Vegas and just going right past the lights and bling. Thought I could shoot some desert landscapes and such. How far out of town do you have to go before it gets scenic? I figure the cheap hotels would be closer to the edge of town too, but I'm not looking to die in Vegas so within reason.

I don't live in Vegas but have been through there several times. It's not a far drive out of town to reach scenic places. You could probably find places within a 30 minute drive.

If you're willing to drive a little bit more, go north on 15 towards Mesquite NV and St George UT. Very nice up that way.

That's all easy. Scenic desert within 1 hours drive. Two hours doubles your destinations. Give me a little advanced notice and I'll play tour guide. Take a look at my smugmug. I have moved most of my photos on there and will get the rest done in the next day or two. There are/will be pictures of Redrock, Death Valley, Valley of Fire, Mt Charleston, Calico Canyon, Sloan Canyon etc.

Just about the cheapest way to travel here is at the expense of a time share. Putting up with their sales pitch for a few hours is really tough but they pay for most of you airfare and room.

Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire are great destinations for scenic desert shooting. They're both not too far from Vegas. Valley of Fire is the furthest of the two, at about 50 miles northeast, off the 15.

red rock is awesome but it's not really the open flat desert, it has lots of sheer cliffs and such. if that sounds good to you then stay at red rock casino and you can be there in 15 minutes or less. If you want flat desert there are good ones out by Sloan, which is about 20 minutes south of vegas in the I-15 so staying at or near the south end of the strip would be ideal. Or there is the valley of fire which is north of town about 45 minutes from red rock casino.

Thanks guys. I never thought of the time share promotions, thanks Eric. I'll Google earth the area and check the locations you guys suggested. I was anticipating mainly flat scrub land but the rock sounds very interesting, probably even better.

why Vegas? If you want beautiful desertscape, why not go to Phoenix, AZ? I lived out there for 5 years. Thats the place to go if you ask me...Go to Sedona, or Jerome, or Prescott, or Payson...beautiful country...

Last summer, I went to Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, and Zion. I decided if I ever go back, I will stay in that Red Rock Casino. Tons of photo ops at Red Rock Canyon and that hotel/casino is very close. Save you about 1/2 hour of driving coming from Vegas.

Stefan

I hear ya 12. Some of the most amazing images I've seen are the large format Arizona desert/highway images. It's a cost issue though. I'm thinking of taking advantage of the cheap flights. Red Rock is top of the list, sounds like the best as far as landscape and distance.

right on man...i didnt realize there was a big price difference...well with prices skyrocketing these days, i am suprised we can go anywhere... Vegas does have some beautiful scenery as well, so it won't be a loss wherever you go. If you are a golfer, i highly recommend the Badlands...Outlaw course....Very very fun.

MK

SlowBlink wrote in post #5644099
Thanks guys. I never thought of the time share promotions, thanks Eric. I'll Google earth the area and check the locations you guys suggested. I was anticipating mainly flat scrub land but the rock sounds very interesting, probably even better.

You actually won't be able to find much flat scrub around here. Nevada is the most mountainous state in the US. The entire state is covered by north-south mountain ranges and small to medium sized valleys in between.

You should also start thinking about temperature. We are hovering around 100 degrees right now and only getting hotter. July and August are the worst, temps well over 110. September gets a little cooler when the monsoons start and then we get incredible clouds and sunsets.

Ya but it's a dry heat kiddin Dawn and dusk shooting only. The rest of the time it would be lounging by the pool or in the room with the AC cranked. Be fun to do some street shooting in the evening too. September sounds like it might be a better time.

september is a good time for sure...the weather starts to cool off, a bit and all the tourists haven't hit in full force...

You can also head down toward Hoover / Boulder Dam, and shoot black rock canyon downstream from there. October is a wonderful time to be on Lake Mojave. (Next lake south from Mead.