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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> The Grand Canyon - (& Scottsdale, AZ) Tips Please!
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Showing posts 1 - 25 of 38, descending (reverse)
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09/15/2005 05:38:03 PM · #1
I am really glad I found this thread. I am headed to AZ. this weekend and had some ideas of where to go already, but have a whole lot more now!
09/15/2005 12:45:27 AM · #2
Check out the views of the city from/through the rocks in Papago Park. It's in the east suburbs, either Scottsdale or Tempe.

Oak Creek Canyon is kind of a back way from Phoenix to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. Lots of neat little water holes.

A little more off to the west is Sedona, with lots of cool red rock formations and a natural bridge.

Montezuma's Castle is very near the interstate.

Sunset Crater is also realy cool - lava flows and such.

I just got back from Monument Valley - the spectacular red buttes that you always see in Western scenes. It's a ways east, though.

Just be careful if you hike down into the Grand Canyon. Because it's downhill on the way out and uphill on the way back, it's easy to go too far and run out of water, then face a brutal climb back out.
09/15/2005 12:15:08 AM · #3
If you go further north to Kanab, Utah, you could visit Pugh Canyon... ah, but it's probably not spectacular.
09/14/2005 10:56:01 PM · #4
Can anybody tell me more specifically where "Natural Bridge" is near Payson? I'm from here in AZ, but I haven't heard of it or the waterfalls that sprite777 referred to.
09/09/2005 02:35:02 AM · #5
Maybe I'll see somebody else there next weekend. I have a spot at the dorms at Phantom Ranch on the 18th. Hike in one day, and out the next. I'll be the guy stopping every 10 steps to take a picture.)
09/08/2005 07:17:26 PM · #6
Since Antelope Valley, Page and Boyce Thompson Arboretum were mentioned here are some images from those areas too:

Page, Arizona with Antelope Canyon pictures:


Boyce Thompson Arboretum:

09/08/2005 07:04:11 PM · #7
Originally posted by ltb2738:

I'm off to the Grand Canyon this weekend for a few days. I've never taken any landscape shots. I have a Nikon D-100 with a AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D. Will this lens be sufficient? I also just bought a polarizing filter for the trip. Any advice regarding camera equipment, settings or specific locations that I shouldn't miss would be greatly appreciated!!

I'll also be spending the second half of the week in Scottsdale. I'm planning on visiting the Pheonix Zoo, TPC Scottsdale and catching a Arizona Diamondbacks game (I'm pretty comfortable shooting sports). Anyone have any suggestions for good locations around Scottsdale or Pheonix?

Thank You!

Brian


I recommend you visit the Desert Botanical Gardens over the Phoenix Zoo. They are next door to each other and the botanical gardens specializes in desert plants. You can visit a zoo anywhere.

Botanical Gardens:


Phoenix Zoo:


The waterfalls involve some more serious hiking into the Havasupai reservation and is a long drive from the main part of the Grand Canyon. Overnight camping is recommended. It would be worth the effort though.

There are plenty of other places worth visiting in the immediate Phoenix area and between Phoenix and the Grand Canyon. On the northeast and east side of the Grand Canyon is Page, Wupatki Indian ruins, Sunset Crater and Meteor Crater. Along with the choices below your problem won't be deciding what to see, but rather what NOT to see.

Red Mountain near the Grand Canyon:


Sedona and vicinity between Flagstaff and Phoenix:


Montezuma Castle between Flagstaff and Phoenix:


Various Rock Art Sites between Flagstaff and around Phoenix:


Goldfield east of Scottsdale:


Superstition Mountains east of Scottsdale:


Phoenix itself:

09/08/2005 05:57:14 PM · #8
Originally posted by ltb2738:

Justin - BTW, I'm going to buy the Graduated Neutral Density filter that you suggested. Thanks for the tip!

No problem. I don't own one personally, but I've read in countless photography books how useful they can be (and seen great examples: a sunset photo where the foreground isn't sillhouetted, for example). I hope you find it useful. Cheers.
09/08/2005 12:32:42 AM · #9
Justin - BTW, I'm going to buy the Graduated Neutral Density filter that you suggested. Thanks for the tip!
09/08/2005 12:25:51 AM · #10
Originally posted by ltb2738:

...I'll post some pics when I get back...

I can't wait to see them! Good luck man!
09/08/2005 12:18:27 AM · #11
Thanks for all the great information. I wish I had more than just a couple of days to visit. I'll post some pics when I get back. I'm bound to get lucky once or twice!

Brian

cmstys - I'll be looking for your pic also! Have a great trip!
09/07/2005 08:11:19 PM · #12
Wow, I can't believe the timing of this discussion! I too am headed to the Grand Canyon this weekend. I am flying to Las Vegas on Friday, then we head to the Grand Canyon for the day on Sunday, and then onto Page, AZ for the week where we have rented a houseboat at Lake Powell. Thanks so much for the information.

Corwyn and Brian, have a great trip! Maybe we will run into each other...that would be funny.


Message edited by author 2005-09-07 20:15:31.
09/07/2005 08:01:53 PM · #13
Syracuse is very close to my old stomping grounds!

I grew up in Watertown, NY. We were always in Syracuse visiting relatives and etc. Still have quite a few relatives in that area.

I use to go Deer hunting on Fort Drum all the time. After we moved to Texas they spent so much money on Fort Drum you can't recognize it anymore!

Great place to be in the fall! Bad place to be in the winter LOL

Originally posted by ltb2738:

MeThoS - The foliage will be close to peak around that time. Last year at that time I had to drive through Syracuse up to Fort Drum to see my brother off to Iraq. I couldn't really appreciate the colors at the time. I'm sure I missed a lot that weekend :-(

briphoto - That "Lightning Strikes" photo is just spectacular!! I've voted over 13,000 times and have given only about a dozen perfect 10's. You have one of them! What a great shot!!

09/07/2005 04:30:16 PM · #14
Make sure you visit some of the indian ruins scattered between meteor crater and sunset crater volcano. Not many visitors and just some opportunities for some great shots.
The Apache Trail is definetly a fun & scenic drive. I wouldn't miss that.
Boyce Thompson is also good but I hardly ever go because they charge an entry fee...

09/07/2005 03:39:29 PM · #15
I almost forgot!!!

You should check out the Boyce Thompson Arboretum this weekend too!
//arboretum.ag.arizona.edu/

Their artist of the month is a very cool photography club (started and ran by a really great guy) with 40 of their images on display: //arboretum.ag.arizona.edu/featuredartist.html

Seriously, it is a great place to spend a day shooting and probably just over an hour form Scottsdale.
09/07/2005 02:21:49 PM · #16
Natural Bridge near Payson is a great place to spend the day, but the bridge is so big it's really hard to get photos of it that show how cool it really is.

Don't go to Havasupai unless you have multiple days to spend down there. Far too much to see for a day trip. Also, I canceled a trip down there last spring because I heard a horror story from a guy that had just gotton back. Talk to someone that has been there recently before going. Theft, trash, crowds and human waste can be a big problem there. It's on Indian reservation and you will need to get a permit.

You can get great photos anywhere at the grand canyon, but be sure to plan on doing most of your shooting around sunrise and sunset. Also, walk along the rim, most people don't go to far from the parking lots. You can get away from the crowds and find a place all to yourself. If you plan on hiking, realize that going up is much more difficult then going down. On your way down you'll see a sign that basically says you can die there, don't go beyond those if you are not a pretty serious hiker. If you are planning on hiking it, let me know and I'll tell you my favorite hikes/places.

Page is a photographer heaven. I'd chose a weekend trip to Page over the Grand Canyon anyday. Antelope canyon is a must do (remember that the Indians their will negotiate entry fee if it's not that busy) but there are other things there equally impressive and many more slot canyons to explore. Park your car anywhere and walk, and you will find amazing things. Warning though, it's still pretty hot in the page area.

Message edited by author 2005-09-07 14:25:11.
09/07/2005 02:17:05 PM · #17
I disagree with the fact that you cannot get good photos from visitor lookouts... my best shots were taken from the rim.

Both of these shots were taken from the same lookout point on the same evening looking in opposite directions.




I would definitely invest in a polarizer and a 2- or 3-stop graduated neutral density filter (preferably in a square mount) as these will prove incredibly helpful.

Lee
09/07/2005 02:10:33 PM · #18
The helicopter ride was more then my flights to Las Vegas. This is sad but for 4 1/2 hours of flight and time in the canyon I thought why not. We only live once right.

Originally posted by ltb2738:


Corwyn - I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures. Have a great time! Thats something I would like to look into; a helicopter ride with an hour or two stop at the bottom of the canyon!!


Message edited by author 2005-09-07 14:11:10.
09/07/2005 02:09:18 PM · #19
arpita - I just did a google on Antelope Canyon and it looks awesome! Thanks for the tip!
09/07/2005 01:35:29 PM · #20
One place to absolutely not miss if you're going to be around Grand Canyon is Antelope Canyon. It's around a 3 hour drive from Grand Canyon (it's near Page, Arizona), but absolutely worthwhile. One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

09/07/2005 01:31:47 PM · #21
Sprite - that sounds like a nice place. I'll have to check the map to see if it's an option.

Corwyn - I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures. Have a great time! Thats something I would like to look into; a helicopter ride with an hour or two stop at the bottom of the canyon!!
09/07/2005 08:17:34 AM · #22
I head out tomorrow to Las Vegas from Toronto. I am sure excited about the helicopter trip I book. It's landing in the caynon for a photo shoot. I will post picks when I get back.
09/07/2005 02:53:32 AM · #23
Originally posted by justin_hewlett:

Do you have a Graduated Neutral Density filter? Those can be very useful in high-contrast scenes where you risk either overexposing the sky or underexposing the land.


Great idea.
09/07/2005 02:47:43 AM · #24
Originally posted by ltb2738:

I'm off to the Grand Canyon this weekend for a few days. I've never taken any landscape shots. I have a Nikon D-100 with a AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D. Will this lens be sufficient? I also just bought a polarizing filter for the trip. Any advice regarding camera equipment, settings or specific locations that I shouldn't miss would be greatly appreciated!!

I'll also be spending the second half of the week in Scottsdale. I'm planning on visiting the Pheonix Zoo, TPC Scottsdale and catching a Arizona Diamondbacks game (I'm pretty comfortable shooting sports). Anyone have any suggestions for good locations around Scottsdale or Pheonix?

Thank You!

Brian


Well, about an hour north of here (I live in Mesa) there's a place called payson, and maybe 15 minutes north of that there's a natural land bridge where I took many pictures with my D70... It's pretty amazing. There are a few waterfalls there also. The Park is part of Tonto National Park, but it's kind of tucked away, so you'd have to look carefully for the signs. Once you're down at the actual park, it looks like Nova Scotia or something, the place is covered with trees and steep hills/mountains. It's amazing.
09/07/2005 02:17:41 AM · #25
MeThoS - The foliage will be close to peak around that time. Last year at that time I had to drive through Syracuse up to Fort Drum to see my brother off to Iraq. I couldn't really appreciate the colors at the time. I'm sure I missed a lot that weekend :-(

briphoto - That "Lightning Strikes" photo is just spectacular!! I've voted over 13,000 times and have given only about a dozen perfect 10's. You have one of them! What a great shot!!

Message edited by author 2005-09-07 02:19:16.
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