photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

I'm no expert on the Grand Canyon, but I took my first coast to coast trip this year and one of the stops was the south rim of the Grand Canyon. My wife didn't feel well on day 1 of the Grand Canyon so I went up to the South Rim on my own and spent a half a day there photographing. The next day she felt better and we were leaving the area, but I convinced her to see the Canyon with me. When the time came to leave we took Route 64 to US 89 and then went north -- and I'm glad we did!

With all that being said. If you're coming from Sedona, take US 89 north to Arizona Rt 64; there seemed to be fewer cars entering the park that way (an observation as we left!); as you take Rt 64 through the park, stop every chance you get! You won't regret it. When you get to the South Rim visitor's center, park in the third parking lot. You have to walk farther, but you'll find parking spaces!

Plan on spending a lot of time at the Canyon. Hopefully, you'll be there multiple days.

I'm making the trip again this year, but plan on visiting the North Rim this time and then it's off to Death Valley!

Enjoy your trip!

dkguill Loc: Elkhart, IN

Thanks for your suggestions. You've been very helpful.

topcop

If she can stay overnight in the Canyon Village she can get the sunrise and sunset shots. For sunset, go west from the village on a shuttle to Maricopa, Powell or Hopi point. For sunrise, I like to head east to one of the overlooks. Hopefully there will be some big scattered clouds and at that time of year perhaps a dusting of snow to enhance things. I was there in April right after an overnight snowfall and got some great shots.

I do not know if the condors are there at that time of the year, but they too provide for some interesting photography.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Bryce and Arches are a must. Rent an extra wide. I used my 10-20 Sigma exclusively on my D7000 and don't regret it. Just try to make your foreground dynamic if you can.

Tjohn Loc: Inverness, FL formerly Arivaca, AZ

How many years do you have? The opportunities are endless on the South Rim, Flagstaff, Sedona, Jerome area. Get a good map and start planning your routes now. Ruins, mountains, canyons, volcanoes, ghost towns, meteor crater, the Navajo and Hopi reservations. Have fun and you will never see it all.

topcop

If she can get up to Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon outside of Page makes for fantastic photography, on a sunny day. They are slot canyons with beams of light shining down. You have to book with a Navajo guide.

Some day I can going to make the loop starting in the Bryce and Arches area, and hitting the north rim, Antelope Canyon, then over to Monument Valley, down to Canyon DeChelly, Petrified Forest, Flagstaff and Sedona.

rrayrob Loc: Las Vegas, NV

Have been to Sedona many times. Definitely take Pink Jeep tour - the Broken Arrow Tour is most popular and quite fun and you will get photo ops. If interested in history the Ancient Ruins tour is good. Drivers are well versed in the history. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time. Be sure to go to the airport for sunset photos - yeah sounds strange but airport is on plateau so lots of vistas...and lots of people so go early to stake out your spot. And be sure to go to the Chapel of the Holy Cross Catholic church - wonderful experience and great vistas. Check it out online. Lots to see and do in Sedona so check out Best Places to Photograph in Sedona when planning your trip. Definitely take the Oak Creek Canyon drive between Sedona and Flagstaff on way to/from Grand Canyon rather than highway - as there are lots of photo ops including Oak Creek. South Rim is amazing. Have done sunset photography, but need to go early to stake out your spot as there are hundreds of peeps especially at and around Mather Point. Assume Sunrise would be crowded as well, though going in March there might be less people. Zion is wonderful - small and intimate - after being at Grand Canyon and Sedona. Google best places for photos in Zion. Not sure how long your trip is going to be - but it won't be long enough and you will want to return to these beautiful natural wonders. Look forward to seeing your photos upon your return. Enjoy!

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Take the wide angle lenses that you have. If the 24-105 is the widest, that will have to do. Most of the pictures you take will be of people you go with and the beautiful Grand Canyon in the background. So that lens will probably be fine. At 24mm you should get some stunning pictures of the landscape. If you know how, take some mulitframe panos and when you get home stitch them together. Have fun.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I took the Pink Jeep Tour at Sedona in 2013. It was excellent, but difficult for photography, other than when the jeep stopped for views. It was very dusty and extremely bumpy. I managed and it was fun, but bring some protection for your gear and be prepared for huge bumps.
Mark

dkguill Loc: Elkhart, IN

Jeep daddy,
Thanks for the info. I have done a fair amount of panos so that will be no problem. I'm hoping that with the 5Ds I can get some very good large prints to hang.

dkguill Loc: Elkhart, IN

Mark,
Thanks for the Pink Jeep info. I think my daughter just got a reservation. One question in that regard...we have a choice of 5PM-7PM which we were thinking might give us sunset shots since sunset is at about 6:40PM on the day we would be there. Does that make sense? We can move up an hour to 4-6PM if that would give us enough better light in the early part of the jeep trip, but I'm thinking that would eliminate the sunset opportunity. You opinion?

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

If it's sunsets you desire, I'd suggest the later tour. Have fun. The 5ds should give you wonderful images. Please post. You might want to consider a small plane flight over the Grand Canyon. I took one from Grand Junction to Las Vegas and was able to get some pretty good shots through the window. If you are interested in viewing, here are links to two albums on one of my Shutterfly sites: Canyon: http://imagesbymarkweiss.shutterfly.com/pictures/973 Hoover: http://imagesbymarkweiss.shutterfly.com/pictures/881 Canon 7D MII, Canon 70 - 200 f/2.8 II.
Enjoy the time.
Mark

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

I've been to the Canyon a couple of times. It's about 4.5 hours from us here in Phoenix. The south rim has some beautiful scenes to shoot. If I were you I'd plan on the better part of a day.

dkguill Loc: Elkhart, IN

Thanks Jimmy,
I think we may have 2-3 days at the GC so we should have time to get some good shots.

old eagle

Arizona Highways Magazine has a number of photo tours/workshops.