carney2

I have hundreds of Grand Canyon photos. Some are better than others, of course, but I don't have even one I consider great. I have one more chance* and I'm asking the experts what works. IMO I need foreground (and that can even be hundreds of feet away), great light (magic light) and even something special (snow?). I can't control everything, so, to some extent I have trust to luck. I also have some limitations such as I'm old (80 in a few weeks) and have some leg problems. I'm not going on any hikes.

*I am scheduled to be on the South Rim in early February of 2023, God willing.

Any and all suggestions gratefully accepted.

Fotoserj Loc: St calixte Qc Ca

South rim? The eastern door tower make a good ancre point for canyon shot, I would try for sunset and sunrise shot by staying in the park overnight

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

The Grand Canyon is a big place. It's big in all three dimensions. That makes it difficult to capture on a two dimensional piece of paper or screen. And it is very problematic to find a good way to establish scale. My friend who is an art teacher has been discussing this very problem on and off with me for a couple of years. She's a painter (watercolor, mostly), and can cheat effortlessly to make her images work better than photographs. But we've come up with what we believe may be some good guidelines. I'm looking for an opportunity to visit and try them out. Here you go:

1. Forget the sky. Place the far horizon just below the top edge of your image. There is nothing about the sky that will help with the communication of scale. You need the space for other things. Look at the most effective image examples of the Grand Canyon, and most follow this guidance. Ansel Adams produced several good examples.

2. Leave your wide angle lens at home, or at least in the equipment bag. The far rim of the canyon is already 17 miles away. You don't need it to be any farther. Use a standard (or near-standard) focal length lens. If you need a wider view to capture your image, turn your camera to portrait orientation and do a panorama. You may want to use an even slightly longer focal length.

3. You need shadows. So avoid pre-dawn images (which can otherwise be very nice) and midday images. We think that mid-morning and mid-afternoon are the best times, surprisingly. And make certain that the sun isn't behind a cloud when you press the shutter release.

We may come up with some other things. And I'm hoping to get back to GC to try all of this out. Maybe this year. But maybe next year. She's working on a MFA degree that isn't leaving a lot of free time, and I don't feel OK to be texting back and forth with a bunch of questions right now.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I agree with your comments. But having been there 4 times I would say it's not all it's cracked up to be in terms of getting great shots.

williejoha

The best way too find great locations from where to take great shots is, talk too the park rangers in the visiting center. I took a great shot of the moonrise at a point ( the name I no longer remember ) given to me by the ranger. He even gave me the time to be there in order to get the best possible spot before the masses showed up. Good luck.
WJH

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

For me, Grand Canyon and Carlsbad Caverns and sequoias/redwoods are the most beautiful places on earth, but don't translate well to photographs. I'm trying to find ways to do it, but it's still a work in progress.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I exactly agree.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

you want more canyon than sky ( u can see the sky anytime)
Sunrise or sunset are great times,
I prefer shadows giving depth then overhead sunshine.
dont fall over the edge and yes it gets very cold there in February . We only had light jackets in the motorhome. so we did lots and lots of layers

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

There is lots of haze which negatively impacts big vista photos and the Grand Canyon is no exception. I would think mid morning and mid afternoon could be the worse times in terms of haze. Summer fires are a problem which adds to the pollution. The most spectacular photos I have seen have been taken during the summer monsoon season. Amazing cloud formations help to fill in the vast area and give dimension and interest. A little snow in the winter looks good too. I would also like to go back there and try again. Same with Monument Valley.

Homesinaz4u

I live here in Arizona but have only been to GC a few times. I have always wanted to take a private helicopter ride and shoot from the middle of the canyon looking down using lenses from ultra wide angle up to 300mm. Then go down to the town that is at the bottom of the canyon for a different perspective. Helicopter tour pilots know all of the great spots.

Another idea, which I don't know much about but have only heard of is the glass bridge in which you could take photo's from. I believe it is owned by the native tribes but not sure. If you have time and have never been to Sedona, south of Flagstaff on 89A, it offers some of the most beautiful red rock country anywhere. To get awesome photo's there, take a jeep tour into the back county areas. It's not too hard on the body.

Speaking of Flagstaff. try taking the chair lift ride at Snowbowl and you will have great views and can also see part of the Grand Canyon in the distance. One final idea is to go just west of Flagstaff to Williams and take the train ride to the Grand Canyon from there. It offers some beautiful photo ops also.

Good luck and enjoy this magnificent state for it's beauty.

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

Some suggestions:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/grand_canyon_nps/collections/

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

I know it has been said to forget the sky, but I rather liked it! Morning shot.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is an overwhelming location to attempt to photograph. If things come together nicely, one can make a pretty good representation of the canyon. I've been there a number of times and some of those didn't even warrant taking a camera out of the car. However, even those times were worth the trip there.

Every so often, things come together nicely and a fairly nice photo can be made.

Edit: whoever gave the forget the sky advice will miss quite a bit of the drama presented in the scene.
--Bob

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Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Get to your sunset spot an hour before sunset, that is when I liked the light best. Of course it depends on clouds etc. Enjoy!

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stmaestro Loc: MA

Shoot at sunrise

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