Antelope Canyon

[agentsteel53]

https://www.aaroads.com/blog/2009/11/29/antelope-canyon-i/

note: may not contain actual Antelope Canyon - just getting there from San Diego.  Antelope Canyon itself will be the next batch.

[agentsteel53]

and here is the second batch ... from the canyon itself.

https://www.aaroads.com/blog/2009/11/30/antelope-canyon-ii/

[wandering drive]

Wow!  That is some fantastic camera work.  Makes me want to pencil a visit there if I ever get the chance. 

[agentsteel53]

Antelope-ish part III ... the drive from the canyon to New Mexico.  Enjoy!

https://www.aaroads.com/blog/2009/12/30/antelope-canyon-iii/

[agentsteel53]

Wow!  That is some fantastic camera work.  Makes me want to pencil a visit there if I ever get the chance.  

thanks

Remember to make a reservation as the canyon is accessible by guided tour only.  There are two sorts of tours - a $30 for half an hour where they rush you through the canyon with 10 other groups (total 100+ people in there - it gets crowded) so you can see the beams of light as the sun makes its transit across the sky, and a $50 one where they do the rushing and then give you another hour to explore, with the guide being a helpful resource as opposed to actively herding you.  I of course recommend ponying up the extra $20!  Ask for the "photographer's tour" option when you book.

I cannot remember which guide company we went with, but they appear to be nearly identical, so here is one.

http://www.antelopecanyon.com/

during the photographer's tour segment (when the general population has been herded out) all the tour guides from all the companies are very friendly and accessible and helpful in pointing out places to stand to take good photos, and rock formations.  It was our guide who pointed out the anti-bear and one of the others who pointed out the sphinx.  And of course they carry shovels and are always happy to load the sandfalls!  Did I mention I highly recommend the photo tour?

[agentsteel53]

also one more point - make sure to bring a fast (f/1.4 or f/1.8) lens, or one with image stabilization (Nikon VR, Canon IS, dunno what Pentax, Sony, etc call it but they all have the option)... my exposure times ranged from 1/20s to 1s at ISO-400 using my f/3.5 VR lens.