More Arizona Questions: Everything I've read has said to photograph Antelope Canyon only with a tri-pod and long exposure. The tri-pod I agree with but here is my question. I'd think...

Jim S Loc: Barrington RI, DC now Hilton Head,

Everything I've read has said to photograph Antelope Canyon only with a tri-pod and long exposure. The tri-pod I agree with but here is my question.

I'd think using a Gary Fong "lightsphere" on a speedlite with the EV's toned down would produce even better images as the shadows would have more detail and the highlights would not be blown out.

Am I off the mark with this idea?

Thanks and as always your comments appreciated

Rob O' Loc: Freakin' Hot Arizona

I think you'll lose the 'mood' of Antelope Canyon if you used any kind of flash.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Jim S wrote:

Everything I've read has said to photograph Antelope Canyon only with a tri-pod and long exposure. The tri-pod I agree with but here is my question.

I'd think using a Gary Fong "lightsphere" on a speedlite with the EV's toned down would produce even better images as the shadows would have more detail and the highlights would not be blown out.

Am I off the mark with this idea?

Thanks and as always your comments appreciated

The colors you see in photos of Antelope Canyon is the result of sunlight "bouncing" it's way down the walls of this narrow slot. It is similar to the way southwestern sandstone glows with color during the magic hour, only to go flat once the sun is stronger. I'm not familiar with the equipment you mention, but I'd think artificial lighting would have a similar effect, washing out the color from the defused light normally seen in the bottom of the slot.

Jim S Loc: Barrington RI, DC now Hilton Head,

Photographer Jim wrote:

quote=Jim S Everything I've read has said to phot... (show quote)

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Forget the flash, photo Jim is right

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

charles brown wrote:

Forget the flash, photo Jim is right

Thank you CB. I am here to serve. ;)

Captain Jim Loc: Maryville Tn

My avatar is from the canyon... 1st.. No Flash of any kind. 2nd I used a monopod and that was so easy.. I would lean against the wall and shoot... we went in the middle of the day and did not pay extra for the "photo" tour" I just walked slower and stayed behind. This is a Must See Place.. loved every minute.

AzGriz Loc: Sedona, Arizona

You are probably only going to make this trip once in your life, so I am going to give you what I have learned from my experiences.
First, a tripod is a must because the longer the exposure the better the results and you probably want more depth of field too. You want the details in the shadows because that is where the beauty lies. Avoid the extreme bright areas (daylight) in your photos by cropping in the viewfinder. Stay within the exposure range with a low ISO and check your screen often before moving on. Shooting Raw will give you the best results. I use ISO 100-200 with f/16-22mm and 1 second plus exposure.
Don't even think about flash because that will destroy why you went into the slot canyon in the first place. If you want to just photograph red rocks that look like daylight, than stay out of the slot canyon and go to Sedona instead.
The wider the wide angle lens the better. I use the 14-24mm lens on a full frame format. Most are shot closer to the 14mm or I shoot a panorama. Stick with one lens because of the dust, you do not want to be changing lenses. If I want a longer lens in the Lower Canyon, I go back a second time, which goes much faster because I find less photo opportunities.
In the Upper Slot Canyon a "Photographer Guided Tour" is a must. All tours are guided and the crowds are like trying to herd chickens. The "photographer guide" will stop the crowd and make them stay behind a rock, so they are not visible in your photo. They will also point out your best location and how to get the best available view. Believe me, they are very friendly and know what they are doing. Choose the mid-day tour and you won't be sorry.
I use professional equipment and prefer the Lower Antelope Canyon in the morning, where I can go un-guided. That way I can take my time and just move aside for others to pass. They charge you by the hour so you can take as much time as you want to spend.
If you have only one full day, travel in the dark or stay in a motel. First, book a "Photographer Tour" for a mid-day Photographer Guided Tour (They do fill up fast). Then, shoot the Lower Antelope Canyon in the morning just after sunrise. Next, make contact with your "Photographer Guide" and shoot the Upper Antelope Canyon at midday. Then, in the afternoon shoot "Horseshoe Bend". Finally, shoot Lake Powell at sunset. If you shoot "Raw", make sure you have plenty of storage, because you will need it.

Good Luck

Jim S Loc: Barrington RI, DC now Hilton Head,

AzGriz wrote:

You are probably only going to make this trip once in your life, so I am going to give you what I have learned from my experiences.
First, a tripod is a must because the longer the exposure the better the results and you probably want more depth of field too. You want the details in the shadows because that is where the beauty lies. Avoid the extreme bright areas (daylight) in your photos by cropping in the viewfinder. Stay within the exposure range with a low ISO and check your screen often before moving on. Shooting Raw will give you the best results. I use ISO 100-200 with f/16-22mm and 1 second plus exposure.
Don't even think about flash because that will destroy why you went into the slot canyon in the first place. If you want to just photograph red rocks that look like daylight, than stay out of the slot canyon and go to Sedona instead.
The wider the wide angle lens the better. I use the 14-24mm lens on a full frame format. Most are shot closer to the 14mm or I shoot a panorama. Stick with one lens because of the dust, you do not want to be changing lenses. If I want a longer lens in the Lower Canyon, I go back a second time, which goes much faster because I find less photo opportunities.
In the Upper Slot Canyon a "Photographer Guided Tour" is a must. All tours are guided and the crowds are like trying to herd chickens. The "photographer guide" will stop the crowd and make them stay behind a rock, so they are not visible in your photo. They will also point out your best location and how to get the best available view. Believe me, they are very friendly and know what they are doing. Choose the mid-day tour and you won't be sorry.
I use professional equipment and prefer the Lower Antelope Canyon in the morning, where I can go un-guided. That way I can take my time and just move aside for others to pass. They charge you by the hour so you can take as much time as you want to spend.
If you have only one full day, travel in the dark or stay in a motel. First, book a "Photographer Tour" for a mid-day Photographer Guided Tour (They do fill up fast). Then, shoot the Lower Antelope Canyon in the morning just after sunrise. Next, make contact with your "Photographer Guide" and shoot the Upper Antelope Canyon at midday. Then, in the afternoon shoot "Horseshoe Bend". Finally, shoot Lake Powell at sunset. If you shoot "Raw", make sure you have plenty of storage, because you will need it.

Good Luck

You are probably only going to make this trip once... (show quote)

Lots of great info - thanks. Setting up thr Photo as we "speak". I'll use my 10-24 zoom in Antelope. I always shoot raw.

Tri-pod definetelt - another question - bald head or gimbal. Yes I know the zoom I want to use is very light but does it make sense to take the gimbal for other shots in Utah and Arizona?

AzGriz Loc: Sedona, Arizona

I have a full head of hair and you will not need a Gimbal.

photoninja1 Loc: Tampa Florida

You aren't going to kknow for sure unless you try. Just don't overpower that beautiful sunlight. Try an exposure with the flash set at -1 to -2EV to compress the dynamic range of the shot. Trying is truth. Anything else is just an opinion and almost everyone has at least one of those.

saichiez Loc: Beautiful Central Oregon

Some one posted this "Don't think about flash...."

I submit, DO THINK ABOUT FLASH ..... FLOODs. Antelope canyon ranks along with many of the slot canyons in the SW that are subject to flash flood, some actually beginning many miles from where you might be.

Research this and make sure that you are not IN these canyons during flash storm seasons. These flash storms funnel off the desert floor into these slot canyons and build up for miles. Deaths have occurred.

Just one thing I haven't seen mentioned.

See here:

http://climb-utah.com/Powell/flash_antelope.htm

And a slot canyon full to the rim:

http://photo.net/nature-photography-forum/00FmEu

Leland22 Loc: Texas

This is my experience with Lower Antelope. Tell them you want a "photographer pass". No extra cost and you do not have to go with a group. Absolutely no flash. Use a tripod. Do not get any sky in the photos-blows out the photo. Use spot metering and expose on the brightest part of the photo-don't worry about the rest. Use the lowest ISO and expose longer unless you want close detail then high f-stop. I use about 11-14 since that is my "sweet" spot on my camera for normal shooting.. Since you are using reflective light, best time is about 9:30-11. Enjoy- you will hardly find a better place to photograph.

Jim S Loc: Barrington RI, DC now Hilton Head,

Leland22 wrote:

This is my experience with Lower Antelope. Tell th... (show quote)

The pictures of it on the inter-net and books are beautiful. Looking forward to our trip