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| Antelope Canyon |
We woke up that morning on Lone Rock beach just across the Utah Arizona border. Our clocks were on the wrong time thanks to some confusion surrounding the time zones there. What we thought was 5:45am was actually 4:45am so we had a little bit of time before our planned 1130 tour of Antelope Canyon. We chose the tour start time that would get us the beams of light. You need midday sun for that. It's a cliche shot I guess if you want to call it that, but that is because people want it, and there is nothing wrong with wanting to have your own. It is a truly amazing place and is well worth a visit if you ever find yourself in the "Golden Circle" I seem to remember it being called. The geographical region surrounding page Arizona, connecting parks like Arches, Zion Park, Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon and many other spectacular natural wonders. This is just one of the many worthy stops in the area.
We crammed 14 people in the back of a pickup truck to go from the tour parking lot to the entrance of the slot canyon. It wasn't a long ride, but it was dusty. Be prepared to have have dust attack everything you bring there. We pause for a moment at the entrance to the slot canyon for a 'briefing' about your photography within. No flashes, that was one thing that was made abundantly clear at the start.
You don't even have to get inside to see that the place is busy. There are tours coming in and out, all about the size of ours. When you get inside, you move in blocks. The tour guides essentially coordinate trips through the main 'photo rooms'. Which is why you see so many of the similar images from the canyon. They stop here, keep the path clear temporarily and then continue along. You feel somewhat rushed if you go there with the intent to take pictures. So you need to take a breath and remember to enjoy it and observe it, don't just record it to watch later.
The place has the feel of something from a fantasy movie or video game. Although the place was busy, which sometimes detracts from the natural wonder of something, it was nicely balanced by songs played by some of whom I am guessing were of the Navajo Nation as well. The music brought the location to life, and that's why a picture just doesn't do it, it's a place to experience. We were in high season as well, which is also dry season. Wet season, the canyon becomes very dangerous due to flash flooding. We were there in Early May.
This was a trip from a few years ago and have used some excerpts from my travel journal, but it was that vivid of a location that its among the first few I choose to share with everyone. You can check out some of the video footage I captured as well by watching the YouTube video in 720p. I traveled with my Olympus Tough Cam which held up great to the rigours of the month long road trip we went on. Looking forward to sharing more of that with you soon!
Get ready for my next location. Where will it be?
Want to get a print from our Antelope Canyon Tour?
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