Visit to Monument Valley
Dec 12, 2017 11:40:40 #
I have the long-awaited opportunity to visit Monument Valley, and possibly Antelope Canyon in Page Arizona. I will be attending an event in Phoenix, at the completion, I will have from January 1-7 to explore the area. I plan on traveling to Monument Valley on January 1 where I'll be stationed until my departure from Phoenix on January 7.
I'm aware of Antelope Canyon from all the breath-taking images I've seen over the years. Looking for advice on any similar place to photograph during my stay in the area. I've researched both the Goulding and The View hotels and trying to determine which would be more be rewarding photographically. Goulding seems to be less expensive at this time, but The View appears to offer the greater view of the monuments. I would appreciate any advice on the hotel choice and photo ops.
For equipment, I'll be trying out my recently acquired Nikon D850, and taking the D500 as a back-up.
Thanks in advance
I'm aware of Antelope Canyon from all the breath-taking images I've seen over the years. Looking for advice on any similar place to photograph during my stay in the area. I've researched both the Goulding and The View hotels and trying to determine which would be more be rewarding photographically. Goulding seems to be less expensive at this time, but The View appears to offer the greater view of the monuments. I would appreciate any advice on the hotel choice and photo ops.
For equipment, I'll be trying out my recently acquired Nikon D850, and taking the D500 as a back-up.
Thanks in advance
Dec 12, 2017 11:49:39 #
We stay at Mexican Hat a small town about 20 miles from Monument Valley, Many photo ops.
Dec 12, 2017 11:50:32 #
jsimp3 wrote:
I have the long-awaited opportunity to visit Monum... (show quote)
Make sure you plan for some panoramas of Monument Valley. Other than that I’ve heard that the photo tours (plan ahead) for lower Antelope Canyon are recommended. Take the D850 with a wide angle lens.
Dec 12, 2017 11:57:12 #
When I went to Monument Valley, I took a side-trip to Canyon de Chelly (pronounced "Canyon dee Shay") and loved it. It's an amazing canyon, with ruins, trails, great photo ops, and nice tours. I couldn't recommend it more.
Dec 12, 2017 12:10:48 #
If you have the time, and the desire to drive, I would recommend Meteor Crater, and the Painted Desert. Neither of which look the same through images. To see in person will add to the enjoyment, with what your camera 'sees'!! Both would also be a good 'proving ground' for your new 850! (With the wide angle lens, of course.)
Dec 12, 2017 12:14:12 #
Whatever else you do, don't miss Sedona and Red Rock Canyon. An absolute must on your way from Phoenix north. Some of the best photography in Arizona and the entire Southwest.
Dec 12, 2017 12:30:58 #
If you do go to Sedona, note something only found in Sedona, nowhere else in the world......
The McDonald's there has turquoise arches, not golden. All buildings in Sedona *must* conform to a color code and the golden arches did not. Soooo.....
https://www.aol.com/article/finance/2017/03/29/mcdonalds-sedona-turquoise-arches-arizona/22017422/
Just an FYI!
The McDonald's there has turquoise arches, not golden. All buildings in Sedona *must* conform to a color code and the golden arches did not. Soooo.....
https://www.aol.com/article/finance/2017/03/29/mcdonalds-sedona-turquoise-arches-arizona/22017422/
Just an FYI!
Dec 12, 2017 15:31:02 #
Thank you... that's pretty close. I will certainly take advantage by driving over.
Dec 12, 2017 16:24:54 #
It's dusty. Use a general zoom on your 850 and a wide angle on your 500 so you won't have to change lenses. Google available guides. Inside the park there are open air buggies or you can drive yourself. I believe that guides are available from outside the park that have SUV's and will take you places other than what's on the road as well. We drove so we could stop wherever we wanted but it's a pretty rough road. It would be best to arrive the evening before so you could get morning light and stay for evening light as well. It's one of the places that once you photograph it you want to go back and re-do the photos you took. Don't miss John Ford's overlook.
Dec 12, 2017 16:33:41 #
Great... thanks for the heads up on the dusk. I have the overlook on my list. Did you stay at either of the hotels?
Dec 12, 2017 16:38:24 #
Thanks to everyone for directions. I’m still trying to determine if The View hotel is worth the extra dollars.
Dec 12, 2017 17:08:57 #
I have stayed at The View a few times. In my humble opinion it is definitely worth it. However, better make your reservations asap. They get a ton of tourist busses and it gets sold out regularly. You can't just drop in and expect to get a room. Check it out. Worth the views from your room. Good luck. When I lived in Sedona there was no McDonalds. WOW, turquoise arches. I will have to make a trip down there.
Dec 12, 2017 17:49:51 #
jsimp3 wrote:
Great... thanks for the heads up on the dusk. I have the overlook on my list. Did you stay at either of the hotels?
No, I didn't, but it would be the perfect place to stay. It also has an outstanding gift shop. We finished our loop as the sun was setting. I got what may have been my best shot at that time, from the parking lot of the hotel, with the reddish clouds behind one of the monuments as the sun was over the horizon.
Dec 12, 2017 18:03:03 #
That’s what I’m seeing with the online images, the great sky with close up of the monuments. The skies were so colorful I was was wondering if Lightroom was responsible for the brilliance.
Thanks for all the input. I have broken open the piggy bank and made reservations at the view.
Thanks for all the input. I have broken open the piggy bank and made reservations at the view.
Dec 12, 2017 21:15:20 #
jsimp3, I will be heading out that way myself in March. My first trip. If you run across any tips I should know about, I'd really appreciate a heads-up. Thanx
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