ProCaliberTraveler
Well-Known Member
From Valley of Fire, I drove to Page, AZ. This was my first time seeing Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend and Upper Antelope Canyon. I found myself thinking I could definitely live in Page because of the many opportunities for outdoor recreation.
I had seen many photos of Upper Antelope Canyon before the visit, including from the talented photographers of Focalworld. I had read the stories of how crowded the canyon is now with all of the tour groups that do business here. There were 11 people in my group, including myself. I was the only person carrying a DSLR. The other 10 people and the Navajo tour guide were really nice and polite. They would give me space and patience to allow me to get the shot I was looking for; they'd also point certain things out to me inside the canyon.
This was a difficult place to photograph. I saw an infinite number of compositions in the shapes you can see in the walls, the light, color, shadow, leading lines, whatever you can think of. It was so difficult because this is a low-light environment, something I normally struggle photographing. This is where a tripod is necessary but since they're banned inside the canyon now, it's hard to get clear shots. Additionally, you're always having to move forward because of the groups coming in behind. You have to work quickly. I again used the 10-20mm wide-angle lens. In the darkest parts of the canyon, I turned up the ISO to 400 which did create some noise in the images.
Having said that, I would return because it was a good experience. I would like a chance to shoot during the time of year when beams of light stream down from the ceiling with the sun directly overhead. It really was a pleasure to be in a place like this, however quickly and brief it turned out to be.
I had seen many photos of Upper Antelope Canyon before the visit, including from the talented photographers of Focalworld. I had read the stories of how crowded the canyon is now with all of the tour groups that do business here. There were 11 people in my group, including myself. I was the only person carrying a DSLR. The other 10 people and the Navajo tour guide were really nice and polite. They would give me space and patience to allow me to get the shot I was looking for; they'd also point certain things out to me inside the canyon.
This was a difficult place to photograph. I saw an infinite number of compositions in the shapes you can see in the walls, the light, color, shadow, leading lines, whatever you can think of. It was so difficult because this is a low-light environment, something I normally struggle photographing. This is where a tripod is necessary but since they're banned inside the canyon now, it's hard to get clear shots. Additionally, you're always having to move forward because of the groups coming in behind. You have to work quickly. I again used the 10-20mm wide-angle lens. In the darkest parts of the canyon, I turned up the ISO to 400 which did create some noise in the images.
Having said that, I would return because it was a good experience. I would like a chance to shoot during the time of year when beams of light stream down from the ceiling with the sun directly overhead. It really was a pleasure to be in a place like this, however quickly and brief it turned out to be.