Friday, May 13, 2011

May 1 - Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon = pure awesomeness. The slot canyon is so amazing, it's like nature did all the work for me. All I had to do was bring the camera, lens, and memory card.

(By the way, all of these are vertical because I was hoping to get a vertical canvas print for my wall).


My Yelp review on Antelope Canyon Tours













28 comments:

  1. These are just beautiful!!!

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  2. I loved your work with the camera! I have been reviewing pictures and info for an upcoming trip and these are some of the most impressive I have seen! Amazing collection of photographs!

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  3. Thank you for beautiful pictures dude. What settings for the camera did you use?

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  4. I almost always shoot manual. The settings varied, but you definitely need a tripod because you will be doing some long exposures. I'm pretty sure I was at ISO100 the whole time. I averaged f8, but I may have gone f5-f11 at times. Shutter speed was probably as quick as 1 second or as long as 30 seconds.

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  5. Awesome pics, I hope to be heading there in August. Not looking forward to the crowds but I will work around it. Thanks for your review...very helpful.

    Shawn Dechant
    www.sed-images.com

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  6. Thanks Shawn! I checked your web site and you have some very nice photos too. So your compliment means a lot =)

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  7. Great job!
    Best photos we've seen! After looking at your pictures, we decided to go next week!

    Thanks again!

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  8. Wow. Thank you very much! I'm glad I inspired you to go visit. It's definitely worth the trip.

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  9. Fantastic is too tame a word to describe your photos.
    Questions:
    Who did you do your tour with?
    We plan to visit this year - end April to beginning of May - will bring tripod and cable release. Any other advice?

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  10. Thank you, Sonniebee!

    1) I chose Antelope Canyon Tours (http://www.antelopecanyon.com/). There is a similarly named Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, but I chose Antelope Canyon Tours based on what I had read at the time. I went on their 2-hour photographer tour because it gives you more time in the canyon. They also do a pretty good job of herding everyone through. Yes, you are pretty much like sheep with all the people in there.

    2) I think a tripod and cable release will have you covered. Keep in mind that it's very dusty in there and my camera got covered in a lot of it. I would recommend NOT changing lenses in the canyon. Be prepared to mount your camera and be ready to shoot almost as soon as you step foot off the truck. The tour is timed so that the guide can get you to the right places at the right time for optimum sun ray action. It's actually pretty crazy how well they know that canyon.

    If you haven't read my Yelp review, I might have some more info over there.
    http://bit.ly/AntelopeCanyon

    Thanks again!

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  11. Oops. I see that there is now a "Reply" option for each individual comment. When did that happen? LOL

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  12. What focal length range is the zoom you used? I have an 18-24 and 27- 155 ( full frame equiv). Which would you recommend? Thanks for sharing your images. They're excellent.!

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    1. Good question. Everything was shot using my 16-35L. The middle (4th) photo was at 35mm, while the rest are all at 16mm. This was when I still had my 30D, so there's a 1.6x crop factor.

      Personally, I guess I'd recommend as wide as you can get, especially if you have a crop factor. You probably will want to stick to a single lens (changing lenses in such a dusty environment is probably bad news).

      Thank you!

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  13. That's very helpful. Thanks again!

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  14. Beautiful Photographs! I am heading there on Friday, I am a professional photographer, is it worth it for me to go on my own or spend the extra money on the photographers tour? Thanks so much!

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    1. Thanks! If you can go on your own, then that's probably the absolute best. That way, you won't be pressed for time. But it's on Navajo land and I'm not sure how the entry restrictions work. If you're comparing the regular tour versus the photographer's tour, definitely go on the photographer's tour. You get more time in the canyon and the guide tries to get you to each light shaft on time.

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  15. I am planning a one week trip to Az for the first time (last week in May). I am in the process of booking hotels where I would like to spend a day here (Antelope Canyon) to see this beautiful area. Since we can't predict the weather, what happens when it rains hard here? Is this an issue where they close it down for the day. I just don't want to book a hotel/day just for this to find out that we can't see this because of heavy rain. I wasn't sure if this was open rain or shine. Nice pics. thanks dbcooperisalive

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    1. Thanks. I'm not an expert in the subject by any means, but from what I know about slot canyons, I'd guess they close the tours down if there is any rain (flash floods, etc). You might want to contact the tour company for a better answer.

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  16. Hi Paolo, I think your pics are really good. I wish I can take some like yours when I visit the canyon next week! From what I've seen written on this page, You recommend some pointers:
    1) Not changing lenses inside the canyon
    2) Using as wide a lens zoom as possible (I have a 10-22mm and a 18-55mm)
    3) Taking the longer photographers tour instead of the normal one

    I have some questions related to this.
    The first one is whether I should use the 10-22mm or the 18-55mm lens for inside the canyon. I know you recommend the "wider lenses" but I just wanted to confirm this.
    Other question is whether you recommend taking the Upper or Lower Canyon Tour. I have read that some people liked more the Lower than the Upper due to colors and lighting on the rock.
    Also, I'll travel with my wife and kids (4 and 2). Do you think they will enjoy this longer tour? or do you think it's better for them to take the normal one and just wait for me for the extra hour? I'm sorry for getting too specific! LOL. Thanks for the help! Luis

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    1. Hey thanks for checking in. Wow it's been a while so let me try to remember. I'm no expert by any stretch, but I'll try to help as best as I can =)

      - Both of your lenses are wide, so either should be good. I suppose it depends on what camera body you are using. Personally, I'd probably go with the 10-22. I'd be interested to see what kinds of angles and perspectives that gives you. It's a very narrow slot canyon, so you want to be able to capture as much in frame as possible without having to back up. This also helps when there are so many people in there with you. Then again, if you have a full frame body, that might not be an issue.

      - I've only been in the upper canyon, so I can't really answer this. I'd love to visit the lower canyon one day.

      - I've only done the longer tour, so I can't compare. For non-photographers, the shorter tour is probably the way to go. But if you want to make it a family thing AND you don't mind the extra cost for all four people AND they don't mind spending more time in the canyon, then go for it. I will say that even as a photographer, I found myself becoming "done" with the canyon and waiting for the group to meet back up at the truck.

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  17. Paolo, I forgot to ask you something else. Going in January like I am, what do you think is the best time to take the tour? Thanks again! Luis

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    1. I thought the photography tour only had specific start times? I don't remember. I'll get back to you.

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    2. I think they only offer one main photography tour per day. Oct 1 to Feb 28, the tour starts at 9:30am. The web site says there are no shafts of light and the colors are more pastel.

      http://www.antelopecanyon.com/extended_tour.html

      In reading that page, perhaps your wife and kids would be better suited to the regular tour. You might want to ask them for advice on that.

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  18. You're pictures are spectacular....will be going there the end of March. I have a 7D - and was going to use my 18-270 - or should I just stay with my 10-24, 18-55 or 28-80 for this tour since it doesn't sound like I need the zoom. As you say, I don't want to be changing lenses. Not really sure what to expect..............

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    1. Thank you.

      For reference, almost all of my photos are at 16mm. The fourth photo above is at 35mm. And that's with my deceased 30D i.e. the same crop factor as your 7D. So let that be your guide.

      Personally, if I were to go back, I'd go with the 10-24 (not that I have that lens). Actually, my first decision point would be which lens provides the best picture quality. Then I'd want to be able to go as wide as possible. For sure, I think the 28-80 isn't wide enough.

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