Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Nice ones, Bob.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Just a quick comment here...

Just about every comment that has been made here has been valid or contains valid elements. But as I understood from the OP, he was asking how one might capture an exceptional, non-formulaic image of the canyon. In my lifetime, I have seen many images of the canyon, including a significant number that I have made myself. Maybe three of those images have combined to convey something of the scale (breadth, length, and depth), the colors, and the overall three-dimensionality of the place. The overwhelming majority, many of which are very nice, completely fail to communicate the experience of actually being on the edge of the chasm and the overwhelming vista that is before the viewer. My interpretation is that this is what he is seeking. I know that it is what I am seeking. I have a number of images that capture my vision for a few seconds, but fail utterly at producing anything like the response of standing on the rim.

Robert--your images are very nice. I like your skies. But they are not why I would drive 800 miles to the canyon. I can see similar examples several times a year at home. I like your views of the canyon. They are also very nice. But they don't produce the goose bumps that I'm hoping to produce

Suntouched--you are correct that the haze which routinely blows in from great distances is a problem both visually and photographically. Monsoon season, with its reversed winds, can really help solve that problem. And after a rainstorm, usually midafternoon, can be the absolutely clearest time to take a photograph after the air is washed clean of dust.

But in the end, the problems that must be solved to capture that perfect shot go well beyond these routine challenges. They are matters of perspective, distance, and texture. They are complicated by the very simple color palette of the canyon environs. Suboptimal environmental conditions make it even worse. My friend and I thought at first that a solution would be quickly evident. Turns out that our discussions revealed that we had only begun to understand the complexity of the problem. The good news is that we really enjoy working together to find the solution. If we do, I'll pass along what we learned. But right now, we are very confident of the three guidelines that I passed along in my initial response.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Larry, I agree with you and pretty much stated that in my post. As for the OP, it's difficult to say what would, in his eyes, be that outstanding, best lifetime achievement, photograph. I think to obtain something like that, one would have to live on the rim of the canyon and simply watch nature proceed every moment of every day to catch that breathtaking photograph.

The other is to hope to win that photographic lottery and be there at just that right moment with the camera set up and ready. If one takes the time to look at the thousands of GC photographs and note how many are absolute winners, one would find the odds are not leaning towards that award winner.

I have never gone to The Grand Canyon with the idea of photographing a stunning photograph. I've always gone there to experience the awe inspired by such a magnificent bit of geomorphology and grandeur. Photography is somewhat secondary.
--Bob

photoman43

IMO the time of the year can be important. I much prefer the "winter" months when the sun is lower in the sky and the sky usually is more dramatic (with clouds and weather) than in the summer. And you may get snow to add to the drama of the canyon.

Consider adding a photo planner to your laptop or cell phone like Photo Pills or The Photographers Ephemeris so you can plan your shots. These allow you to see azimuths and times for sunrise sunset, etc for any place on earth for any day of the year.

https://shotkit.com/photographers-ephemeris/

https://photoephemeris.com/en


Use Google to help you do research.

https://www.intrepidscout.com/grand-canyon-best-photography-locations/

If you have a walking disability you may be able to get a pass to drive your own vehicle to each location. Check the Park's website for more info.

Hal_Lyons Loc: Houston TX

I think these are excellent representations of the GC. I especially like the first / color photo because it (for me at least) shows the immensity of the sky, which dwarfs even the canyon.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

So many great places for shots. Just plan your light and hope for a great sky. Sunrise and sunset shots can be gorgeous!

bwa

Photec

I like to use my 50mm in the portrait mode to shoot 2-5 images creating a pano type image of large landscapes. The depth of field and image quality can be easily handled, and the image viewing angle can also be extended much more if desired. For Horseshoe Bend I think I shot 10 frames to make that one.

ddelabar Loc: Pennsylvania

Sometimes it is a matter of luck and timing. We were there in October, when we first got to the south rim there were scattered showers moving through the area which made for some interesting conditions.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

I visited the Grand Canyon on 2009 and took a lot of shots. Although none are worthy of National Graphic publication, I did get some I liked a lot. This one, taken at the Desert View location, I think shows it well without being a panorama:
DSC_0356 by David Casteel, on Flickr
It has been post-processed with a lot of haze reduction, a Lightroom tool that comes in very handy sometimes.

And this one, also from Desert View, is my favorite panorama--it has also benefited from haze reduction:
Grand Canyon pano 366-371 by David Casteel, on Flickr

And this one, from Grandview Point (also PP):
Grand Canyon pano 337-342 by David Casteel, on Flickr

In all honesty, the original photos were very bland, due to the haze across the chasm.

edemitch

The glass bridge is Skywalk at the West rim. Unfortunately, they don't don't let you bring your camera onto the glass.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Possibly don't want to be liable for loss of your camera if the bridge falls; you, OTOH . . . .

edemitch

They want you to purchase the pictures they take of you

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

It's OK, you couldn't pay me to go out on that thing.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Early morning or late evening shows depth a bit better than high noon flat lighting.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Thank you very much, Fotoartist.
--Bob