Antelope Canyon: My wife and I are planning a trip out west later this year and want to visit Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, etc. We plan on taking a guided photo tour in hopes of...

Allen Loc: Plainfield, IN

My wife and I are planning a trip out west later this year and want to visit Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, etc. We plan on taking a guided photo tour in hopes of getting better photos. I plan on having my Canon T1i with 15-85mm lens, 70-200L f4, and a tripod. We are considering either summer or September. In summer, I anticipate a lot of crowing, but if we go in September, might we give up the sunbeams? If you have been there, what suggestions might you impart on this old traveler, such as best time to go, settings, etc? Thanks

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Monument Valley as well as Valley of the Gods are absolutely wonderful to shoot at sunrise and early morning. The cool night air has settled the dust and the air is clear and crisp.

14kphotog Loc: Marietta, Ohio

I went to Garden of the GODS, MONUMENT VAL. and ANTELOPE CANYON, first 2 weeks last OCT. Light was still good at all 3 places. Morning light best for Antelope, and Garden of GODS. 1 note for MON. VAL. enter from south to get better light.

D0r1neK Loc: Connecticut

I went there in September of last year. You are smart to take the photo tour. I took the regular tour and was pushed through the canyon and did not have enough time to set up. A tripod is a must due to the low light. I attached a couple of pics and one of Monument Valley. They have a trail that allows you to walk around the monuments. Also its worth staying at the view hotel. All the rooms face the monuments and you can take pics at sunrise and sunset.

Hiker

Take only your 15-85 lens into Antelope. You do NOT want to change lenses while in the canyon with all of the dust and sand blowing in from above. If you are serious about taking pictures the photo tour is the only way to go. Mid-day is best for upper Antelope while you want to do lower Antlope as early as you can get in. To get a photographer pass for lower Antelope you have to show them your DSLR and a tripod. With a photographers pass you have two hours to wander around at your own pace. Lower is much less crowded. You can also do an all day tour that includes a couple of the small side canyons that you can not otherwise access. I believe that costs $150. It is what we are going to do when we return this fall. Try to catch a morning at Horseshoe Bend which is just outside of Page.

Hiker

I missed a couple of your other questions. You will want small aperture most of the time for DOF. use aperture priority mode. Expect exposures of up to 20-30 seconds. It will still be plenty crowded and hot in September. Upper is only a couple of hundred yards long and there will easily be a hundred people in there. Without a guide to hold the crowds back while you get your exposre it would be impossible. The guides are very good and know where to stop for best photo ops. Avoid shots of the open sky or canyon walls with direct sunlight as they will be blown out. Shoot only reflected light and be prepared to lighten the darkest shadows with PS.

Roger Salls Loc: Stratford, CT

Allen,
Youmight want to checkout Arizona Highways magazine . AZH conducts photo workshops that can take you to all the places mentioned. You'll meet a great goup of people and come away with knowledge and lasting friendships. I went in 2001...holy crap that was a while ago! The experience was a positively unforggetable one. I suggest that you at least check them out.

Allen wrote:

My wife and I are planning a trip out west later t... (show quote)

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

As an option, you can contact Arizona Highways magazine thru their website. They have tours to that area with pro photogs. More than $150 though. They would be the best resource for recommended lenses for the slot canyons.

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

D0r1neK wrote:

I went there in September of last year. You are smart to take the photo tour. I took the regular tour and was pushed through the canyon and did not have enough time to set up. A tripod is a must due to the low light. I attached a couple of pics and one of Monument Valley. They have a trail that allows you to walk around the monuments. Also its worth staying at the view hotel. All the rooms face the monuments and you can take pics at sunrise and sunset.

I totally agree, if you can spring for it, take the individual photo package. I took the regular tour and as mentioned above, they rush you through there pretty fast. I only had a couple pictures out of the bunch that were worth anything. You see the fantastic pictures they sell in the gift shop and to try and replicate it is very hard indeed unless you have the time. Cheers.

Allen Loc: Plainfield, IN

Thank you all for the great advice. I was not planning to change lenses in the canyon, but thought it might be best when shooting Monument Valley. I appreciate the advice about Horseshoe Bend. Had not considered it, but since it is on the way, will try to time it for early AM. Glad to hear that September is still OK to go and get good pictures. The $ do not scare me as we are going for the enjoyment, so why not spend the $ to get good photos worth remembering. I also appreciate the tips on aperture mode and the long time exposure, as well as Arizona Highway as I did not know about that. Now that we know Sept is OK, we can begin some planning. Thanks again.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Really enjoyed Monument Valley. I drove my car through since it is AWD, but the road is rough...really rough. Don't take the wheeled wagon tour, though. Everybody was holding hankies over their mouths and noses due to the dust. If there is a photo tour, I'd definitely take that. Here are a few that I like.

The East Mitten

The East and West Mittens and Merrick Butte

Shadow of the Camel

Sunset at Monument Valley

twowindsbear

How about a visit to Grand Canyon?

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

I live in AZ and have photo'd that area frequently. I'd say either time , summer or Sept. would be good. The heat is modified in that area because of the altitude. The main thing you should watch for is rain. Be aware of monsoons and forecasts. Flash floods in those slot canyons are deadly. When in Monument Valley remember you are in a park in the Navajo Nation. Native American customs should be respected, remember to get permission of a native American before you photograph them, a dollar or two gratuity is good manners also.

janb

While there be sure to go up the Moki Dugway. At the top go out the Molley Point Rd. to the overlook for Glen Canyon, absolutely beautiful. The Dugway goes north out of the Valley of Gods & was originally built for a construction project. It has switchbacks & climbs high in a relatively short distance. Well worth it.

Motospyder Loc: Tucson

I went to Antelope Canyon in late June and the light was perfect. Especially at noon where the sun can come into the slot.
Don't take a bunch of equipment as there will be a lot of people and very little room. As one poster said, don't change lenses in the canyon. Too much dust. Shoot everything. Also wait for the young Navajo at the mouth of the canyon to throw dirt up into the shaft of light. Awesome results.
If you are going that far, go to the Horseshoe. It is only a few miles south of the lake.
Comfortable shoes and LOTS of water. Seriously.