Monument Valley Opportunities: Good Morning- I will be visiting Monument Valley in a few weeks. I am wondering if it is worthwhile to sign up for a photo guided experience and if so...

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Good Morning-
I will be visiting Monument Valley in a few weeks. I am wondering if it is worthwhile to sign up for a photo guided experience and if so does anyone have any recommendations for same? Any hints that anyone would care to share to get a good image? We will be traveling in our RV traveling entering from Highway 191. Thanks.

knessr

Hi Suntouched. Here is one link you can use to book a photo tour. I did that a couple of years ago and it is great as they can take you back where others can't go. I got some great shots both in Monument and Mystery Valley: https://monumentvalley.com/tours/

Ron

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Thanks Ron

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Having a guide specifically for photography is well worth the investment. Only an authorized tribal guide can take you to areas not open to the general public via the admission ticket. The guide can also take you into the valley earlier than the general admissions times.

hipines Loc: Prescott, AZ

You may already know of this book, but it is a wonderful guide to photogenic spots off the beaten track: https://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Southwest-1-Southern-Landmarks-Southern-ebook/dp/B00VXQUVU4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1JQ8BMM26D19T&keywords=photographing+the+southwest+vol.+1&qid=1562435508&s=gateway&sprefix=photographing+the%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-1

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

CHG_CANON wrote:

Having a guide specifically for photography is well worth the investment. Only an authorized tribal guide can take you to areas not open to the general public via the admission ticket. The guide can also take you into the valley earlier than the general admissions times.

I have to agree. It will save me time in the long run too as we have only a short time there. Thanks.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

hipines wrote:

You may already know of this book, but it is a wonderful guide to photogenic spots off the beaten track: https://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Southwest-1-Southern-Landmarks-Southern-ebook/dp/B00VXQUVU4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1JQ8BMM26D19T&keywords=photographing+the+southwest+vol.+1&qid=1562435508&s=gateway&sprefix=photographing+the%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-1

I didn't know of it. Looks like a good one. Thanks.

hipines Loc: Prescott, AZ

suntouched wrote:

I didn't know of it. Looks like a good one. Thanks.

You're welcome. Have a great time - that's such a beautiful area. BTW, the same author also has a book for Arizona and one for CO and NM, but I think that one is now out of print.

Dat Quach Loc: California

Hi suntouched,

If you travel in an RV, it’s an excellent idea to use a guide because your RV will likely get stuck in the sand when you drive on a sandy slope. Over a year ago I had trouble getting out, the wheels just span, even with a SUV.

We did not know there are such photo guide services and explored the place ourselves. We did many stops, climbed small hills to get good views/angles. If you have fixed lenses (for sharpness) and a tripod, bring them for sunset shots, it is just gorgeous. Have a great time.

Redrocks Loc: New Castle Indiana

I went with Wayne Pinkston on a nighttime photo workshop to Monument Valley. We were there 4 days. Our guide was Quanah Parker, who was great. He is a young guy who is passionate about photography and just a very nice guy. I highly recommend him. He can be reached at: https://www.quanahphoto.com/about

You won’t’t be sorry.

kschwegl Loc: Orangeburg, NY

suntouched wrote:

Good Morning-
I will be visiting Monument Valley in a few weeks. I am wondering if it is worthwhile to sign up for a photo guided experience and if so does anyone have any recommendations for same? Any hints that anyone would care to share to get a good image? We will be traveling in our RV traveling entering from Highway 191. Thanks.

John Ford Point for sure. If you've ever seen a John Wayne western, That's John Ford point.

Ken S.

Chance Logan Loc: New England

suntouched wrote:

Good Morning-
I will be visiting Monument Valley in a few weeks. I am wondering if it is worthwhile to sign up for a photo guided experience and if so does anyone have any recommendations for same? Any hints that anyone would care to share to get a good image? We will be traveling in our RV traveling entering from Highway 191. Thanks.

We had a great experience on a sunrise photo tour with Navajo Spirit Tours. We had to cancel the afternoon before due to illness and they rescheduled us with only two days left on our vacation stay. Picked us up at our hotel for an experience we won't forget. Very friendly, engaging conversationlist and offered photo assistance and location tips. Enjoy your trip.

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I would expect anyone advertising touring services for Monument Valley will be excellent. I went with Phillips' Photography Tours in Dec 2016. The time of year and mid-week date probably influenced the situation that it was just a 1:1 guided tour for a full-day. https://monumentvalley.com/

gwilliams6

A local guide is always helpful and i do recommend you use a guide,but you can also just get great shots from along the roads where your Rv is still safe to travel. i was just there in June and caught the sunset time.

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Ollieboy

kschwegl wrote:

John Ford Point for sure. If you've ever seen a John Wayne western, That's John Ford point.

Ken S.

I was there about 20 years ago and John Ford Point was memorable. Our tour guide had an Indian on a horse in full dress pose on the point for us.