Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Antelope Canyon is an interesting place for any photographer and well worth the visit anytime of year. In August, the sun angle will still be giving you pretty good light bouncing down the canyon walls. Truthfully, I, have not seen a time of year when you couldn't get some good shots.

As for tours, most (not all) but most are running to upper canyon. This is largely due to the way the canyons are configured. Upper canyon is an "A" type slot canyon, wider at the bottom than at the top. It is much easier to run a group of visitors through the upper canyon with its wider, flat, sandy floor. So, the upper canyon is a fairly constant stream of tourist groups. For the photography tours, guides will suggest shots, and hold back groups, and throw dust in the air so that you can get the typical cliche shots. Because of the volume of people coming through, even with the help of the guide holding back other groups for a few seconds, it is difficult to spend extended time setting up and perfecting a specific shot without other people getting in the way.

Lower canyon, on the other hand, is more of a "V" or straight sided slot canyon. At its narrowest part it can be a squeeze to get through. Trying to get a large group through is not easy, hence very few tour groups go to lower canyon. This is good because you have far fewer people coming through and can more easily setup shots without being interrupted. The first time I was there, I was asked if I had been there before. As I hadn't, a guide took my wife and me through. The young fellow gave good advice for photos. Since then, when I go to the canyon I tell them I have been there before, they give me a photographer pass, and I go into the canyon and shoot on my own. The pass is supposedly for 3-4 hours, but I have never had anyone enforce that if I shot half the day. Personally, I think lower canyon is the better of the two for the person wanting to try some serious photography.

As for lenses, take the one with the largest focal range. There are times you can use the widest angle possible, and other times when you want a much longer focal length to isolate details or interesting formations higher up the canyon walls. Your 18-270 should serve you well. Tripod is very helpful, and for many shots, necessary. Lower canyon, being more narrow and at places deeper, can be fairly low light. So, it's either use a tripod, or up your ISO substantially for taking handheld shots and probably get much more noise. Ideally, a tripod that allows you to swing legs out to 90 degrees is best, as you can use a leg against the side wall in some of the tighter spots. Also, because of the many odd angles you will be shooting at, if you have ever wondered about the usefulness of having an "L" bracket on your camera, this is the time that will convince you that they can be invaluable in some settings.

Enjoy the trip.

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

No more photographer passes. People were carving their names into the canyon walls, so now I have been told Navajo rules everyone has to be escorted. :(

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

Sonny, this stop is just building to the grand finale. First part of the week will be Cedar Breaks, Bryce, Zion, and Antelope. The grand finale..North Rim of Grand Canyon. Of course, new moon is during this time, so the added bonus of killer star photography :)

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

That's depressing news. Less for the loss of opportunity to take your time and go through unescorted, but more for the reason that has made it necessary! I simply cannot fathom the mentality that would prompt someone to intentionally damage such a place.
:shock:

HillbillyHiker Loc: Cookeville, TN

I went in April this year to both of the slots. I found that the Lower one is much better for photographers. Being on a "photographers" tour we got a guide that was very familiar with most digital cameras and was a great help in getting the best color. I would recommend a prime lens 28mm or wider with the widest aperture. As someone else said a tripod is required for the Photo tour. You will be glad. If you have a remote trigger I would also think that would be a help, otherwise you can use your camera timer.

As for "Horseshoe Bend", stay with the widest lens you have. I learned here several months ago here on UHH to take a monopod. Best suggestion ever. To get the view of the entire bend you can lay on your stomach and hang your head and camera off the edge or putting the camera on a monopod and shooting from it being extended over the edge.

I really do envy you going into the Page area. This was one of my favorite place to see on our trip.

John Solak

I did this a few years ago. We took the photographers tour. We did this in mid June as the sun is highest overhead. The tour had two sections. Carol Big Thumb is who we booked through - a Navajo sponsored tour. The morning tour is much more open to daylight. While we were there so was National Geographic, with their Hassalbad digital cameras. The morning tour is very light and little dust, for the afternoon tour, they create dust to make the shafts of light really neat, even sureal. Our guide was great and helpful. He worked with the outside tour guides to create the dusts for the light shafts. But you are there in the early afternoon to catch the midday sun streaming in - and it was crowded. Again with the photography tour they had the crowds move on and we got the place alone. Even in the hot summer it is cool.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Oh Absolutely, Mark.
The Perseus shot of the Perseid Meteor Shower is the 11th, 12th, 13th.
Here is a good article for you: Everything you need to know: Perseid meteor shower

From Earth-Sky News.

I hope you can catch some of that, too.

Have a great time, and drive safe!

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

I believe that the correct term would be Native American. you will earn much respect using the term NATIVE AMERICA, rather than the I word. Also the land is a nation
unto it's self of the Navaho tribe as per a treaty with US.

Something to think about, J. R.

philo Loc: philo, ca

what do you think is the best tour group, and do you have a link or phone number.
thanks

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

I have heard good things about the Big Thumb family. I will go down with some shooters so it will be tag along for me.

J. R.

rspmd23 Loc: NYC , now in Westlake, Florida

Forget Antelope Canyon- way too busy. Use Hummer Canyon Tours- great guides, SMALL groups- 2 or 4 at a time. They will take you to a different slot canyon, only they have access to. More expensive and a hair-raising ride in an H2 for kicks.Oh, by the way- don't tell anyone else. I'm going back again in October

ClaudiaA Loc: Venice, FL

We had reservations with Kens Lower Antelope tour. We went mid June this year. It was suppose to be a leisurely 2 hours photographing the canyon with photographers.

It started out fine, then they ran two bus loads of people with cell phones and selfie sticks thru from the other end. They told us to put our tripods (we were required to bring) away because there were bus loads of people coming thru. We had to get against the walls in low places and wait for the people to step on our feet so often that they finally told us that we were half way thru so we had to turn back or risk paying for another hour.

I did manage to get some good photos.

Robeng Loc: California

Mark,

I would use 18mm-270mm. I don't recommend changing lenses at Antelope Canyon. Lots of fine dusk & sand there.
Check out my Arizona & Utah pics if you like for some ideas.

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

Very nice photos...I hope mine turn out as good as yours

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

Very nice, thanks for sharing