clgonzo

I am planning a photographic trip this month to Arches National Park and before I go, I would love to view links, books, and any other resources about the park that will prepare me for an informed, productive photo shoot, and an efficient use of my time.. Thanks in advance for your wisdom and counsel.

tramsey Loc: Texas

I have a brother in law that lives in Salt Lake City. We went to see him a couple of years ago and I photographed Arches National Park. I used this as a quide:

https://www.fototripper.com/delicate-arch-photo-tips/

tdekany Loc: Oregon

I'm sure you will get lots of great info, but with only a couple of clicks you could google just about anything on the Internet- did you know that?

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Going there myself in two weeks and did a little double checking on the use of filters. You may be well informed on the topic; but, in case you hadn't given it much thought, this link might be useful.
http://photo.net/travel-photography-forum/00azeI

I live in an area and photograph subjects that make a circular polarizer essential to me. I pretty much have one on my camera all the time. But I recalled reading where polarizers and GND's don't get much use when shooting in the American Southwest. After reading the article in the link above, I now have a better sense of what equipment is worth finding room for when packing for air travel. I'll still plan to take my Singh-Ray CPL and 2 GND's that will all fit a Cokin frame, but I'll not take an assortment of filters this trip.

Hope you have a grand adventure!!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Google is your friend. search Arches National Park

Youtube - search Arches National Park Photography

You'll have more information than you probably have time to read / view.
--Bob

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Arches is a great National Park providing many great photography opportunities. An inexpensive, but very good photo guide to shooting Arches can be found in Robert Hitchman's Photograph America Newsletter #18 Arches National Park. The Photograph America Newletters are 10-12 page guides to specific areas written by a great photographer for other photographers. He provides detailed descriptions and advice for shooting. The newsletter can be downloaded for a mere $8 from Hitchman's website. I installed the file on my smart phone and iPad for easy access while on site. Well worth the cost. Hitchman offers a hard copy version ($9.50) of all of his many guides if you prefer.

PDF download: http://shop.photographamerica.com/Arches-National-Park-Utah-p/018-pdf.htm

Print issue: http://shop.photographamerica.com/Arches-National-Park-Utah-p/018-prt.htm

Assuming you will be staying in Moab or Green River also keep in mind that Arches is only an hours drive from Canyonlands National Park: Island in the Sky District (north) and Canyonlands: Needles District (south). Guides are available for these areas as well. You will also be close to Deadhorse Point State Park.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

That would be true for just about any topic you could post here.

jcsnell Loc: SW Ohio

Was there 4 years ago,want to go back again. Go to the visitors center in Moab they have some brochures that will give you info on best time (sunrise/sunset) to shoot several of the features in the park. Take the trails and explore, get off the beaten track. One of my favorite places. I have several "award winning" pictures from the area. Make sure you go to Canyonlands also.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Good recommendations by Photographer Jim.

Adding to that, particularly if you hope to visit other national parks one day, this is my go-to book for all my NP visits, excellent suggestions for locations, with great directions for getting to them:

http://www.amazon.com/National-Audubon-Society-Photographing-Americas/dp/155407455X

anotherview Loc: California

Consider staying in Moab, Utah. Both Arches NP and Canyonlands NP lie nearby. I've been there twice. If you like to take pictures of the natural beauty of the desert Southwest, you will find yourself with 1000s of photo opportunities there.

You could also rent yourself a Jeep to ride trails that few others ride. Then you will see even more natural beauty. Consider doing the Gemini Trail. I rented a Jeep several times for this purpose. A few years later, I'm still developing pictures from those trips.

Canyonlands NP has a north and a south part. The south part gets way fewer visitors than does the north part. I've been to both, to milk their natural beauty with my camera. Both parts have scenic drives that take you close to the visual attractions. Make sure to stop at the Green River Overlook.

In CNP, consider visiting Dead Horse State Park, for a positively stunning view of the Colorado River (see picture below).

Note that Moab lodging books up during the monsoon season. Book your room early. As an alternative, you could stay in Green River down Interstate 70. I have once. It has lower prices for lodging.

ANP and CNP will present you with a boatload of some of the best views of Mother Nature in the desert.

Colorado River, Dead Horse SP


Arches NP


Sandstone Formation, Needles District, CNP

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

while you are there, go across the highway and visit Canyonlands also, just as many photo ops and just as magnificent.

plessner Loc: North Dakota

For my first trip to Utah I ordered the book Photographing the Southwest Volume 1 covers the area you are interested in. It tells you were to go and what you will see. In Arches it even tells you which rock to climb up on for one of the iconic shots in that park at the Windows Arch. Not that expensive on amazon--I highly recomend it as your first trip there you will be overwhelmed at all the beauty and trying to figure out where you want to go first. I have been back a couple of times and am still overwhelmed!

clgonzo

A grand thank you to all of you. Your comments and links were and are
absolutely marvelous. Yes, I did go online prior to entering my statement on
UH.The pictures are extraordinary. Tramsey thank you for your link, but I am unable to open it.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Hi,
It's a fabulous park. Arriving there before sunrise and being prepared with all your gear, is almost paramount for super images. I suspect the same might be true for sunset, but I was not there then. It can be very cold - be prepared.
Enjoy the experience,
Mark

Haydon

Agreed Mark, traveled 3 years ago to Arches and really compelling light can be found at sunrise if you set up in advance. Virtually no crowds also at that time.