Grand Canyon: In July, My wife and I are driving to California from Florida. One of the attraction we plan on going on is the Sky Walk at the Canyon. Nearly all the photo's that I have...

mel Loc: Jacksonville, Florida

In July, My wife and I are driving to California from Florida. One of the attraction we plan on going on is the Sky Walk at the Canyon. Nearly all the photo's that I have looked at seem to lack contrast and have a haze about them. I will be taking my Oly EM10, the 14-42 kit lens and a 40-150 plus a 9-18 if I can find one that I can afford before I leave, and a tripod.Does any Hog have information on filters or something special that I need to take so that I can get some amazing images.

TexasBadger Loc: Wylie, TX

Circular polarizer and lens hood.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

What TexasBadger said. Make sure the lens hood does not intrude into the image when you are at 14 mm wide angle. AN 8 mm fisheye would also be cool for Panoramas.

MW

mel wrote:

In July, My wife and I are driving to California from Florida. One of the attraction we plan on going on is the Sky Walk at the Canyon. Nearly all the photo's that I have looked at seem to lack contrast and have a haze about them. I will be taking my Oly EM10, the 14-42 kit lens and a 40-150 plus a 9-18 if I can find one that I can afford before I leave, and a tripod.Does any Hog have information on filters or something special that I need to take so that I can get some amazing images.

If possible try early morning of just before sunset. That's pretty common advice but it helps a lot at the Grand Canyon which is harder to photograph than you would think. And by the way a little (but too much) haze is actually helpful as it conveys a sense of depth - mid day with clear air tends to flatten the image.

It sounds like you may be driving past the Painted Desert as well. Same problem there except the air seems to be clear most of the time.

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

You will not be allowed to take your camera on the Sky Walk. It is also not close to the National park. It is on a Indian Reservation.

mel Loc: Jacksonville, Florida

Acountry330 wrote:

You will not be allowed to take your camera on the Sky Walk. It is also not close to the National park. It is on a Indian Reservation.

That's a bummer. I just called and they said no personal items are allowed on the glass. No phones, cameras, back packs, hand bags etc. They provide a locked receptacle at no charge for these items. Has anyone been, is it worth it?

anotherview Loc: California

A circular polarizer can often reduce the low-contrast resulting from haze in the air. The CP will filter out most of the reflection from the particles making up the haze. This filter effect allows the underlying tones to show through, increasing saturation.

Google "circular polarizer" for information on how a CP works, and what it does for improving an image.

mel wrote:

In July, My wife and I are driving to California from Florida. One of the attraction we plan on going on is the Sky Walk at the Canyon. Nearly all the photo's that I have looked at seem to lack contrast and have a haze about them. I will be taking my Oly EM10, the 14-42 kit lens and a 40-150 plus a 9-18 if I can find one that I can afford before I leave, and a tripod.Does any Hog have information on filters or something special that I need to take so that I can get some amazing images.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

mel wrote:

That's a bummer. I just called and they said no personal items are allowed on the glass. No phones, cameras, back packs, hand bags etc. They provide a locked receptacle at no charge for these items. Has anyone been, is it worth it?

That's because it's run by the 'natives' and they want maximum bucks for minimum deliverables. It's a time limited experience.

Save your money and go to the National Park. Maybe take the train from Williams.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Per http://www.hualapaitourism.com/the-grand-canyon-skywalk/

"Personal belongings, including cameras are not allowed on the bridge. To protect from dropping any items into the canyon or onto the glass, you will be asked to store your items in the provided lockers. Photos of the Skywalk may be taken from the side with personal cameras. Professional photos of you on the bridge are available for purchase after your walk. Children must be able to walk on their own on the glass bridge. A Legacy package must be purchased to access Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk."

"Hualapai Legacy Package - Adult price after taxes and fees: $43.42"

"LEGACY GOLD"
"Ultimate Entry Package $70.95* + tax, $8 impact fee & $3 fuel surcharge"

MtnMan Loc: ID

mel wrote:

In July, My wife and I are driving to California from Florida. One of the attraction we plan on going on is the Sky Walk at the Canyon. Nearly all the photo's that I have looked at seem to lack contrast and have a haze about them. I will be taking my Oly EM10, the 14-42 kit lens and a 40-150 plus a 9-18 if I can find one that I can afford before I leave, and a tripod.Does any Hog have information on filters or something special that I need to take so that I can get some amazing images.

Advice on CP is good.

Alas you won't like the best advice I can give: go in January.

PS: With the wide angle be sure to include, in focus, something in foreground. That solves the "flattening" concern mentioned above. These were with the best lens I had at the time: a 28-300. Now I need to go back next January with my 16-35!

PSS: And remote release for tripod, or use delayed release, and be sure to turn off image stabilization when using the tripod.

(Download)

Bobbee

Stop a Sadonna too. Nice place. Although someone said it has changed and is toooo crowded now.

moabarch Loc: Moab, UT

mel wrote:

In July, My wife and I are driving to California from Florida. One of the attraction we plan on going on is the Sky Walk at the Canyon. Nearly all the photo's that I have looked at seem to lack contrast and have a haze about them. I will be taking my Oly EM10, the 14-42 kit lens and a 40-150 plus a 9-18 if I can find one that I can afford before I leave, and a tripod.Does any Hog have information on filters or something special that I need to take so that I can get some amazing images.

Head north a ways to Moab on the way.....Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are actually more photo friendly parks. They are amazing.

Chris F. Loc: San Francisco

Yes we've been, it's a lengthy drive from Vegas (a couple of hours each way) and a waste of time for photographers. I would pass, it's a pricey tourist trap!

Chris

mel wrote:

That's a bummer. I just called and they said no personal items are allowed on the glass. No phones, cameras, back packs, hand bags etc. They provide a locked receptacle at no charge for these items. Has anyone been, is it worth it?

PHW Loc: Madison, WI

Notice that most of the good pictures you see are from the top of the Grand Canyon. Once you get down into it you are just walking in a hole. I walked all the way to the bottom and UP. I know.

ceh1024 Loc: Lutz, FL

Oh what a trip you could have since you are driving.

Along the same along a path to the Grand Canyon you could pick up the road in Phoenix and got in order to.

Montezuma's Castle
Sedona
Grand Canyon
Monument Valley
Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon
Bryce
Zion

There are other nice stops but I can't remember right now. Try looking at one of the tour companies and see where they go. They generally have a nice path they run through all those areas.

Everyone is right about the cpl filter absolutely necessary especially this time of year.

BTW went to high school in Jax I'm in Tampa now.

Chuck