Monument Valley - Antelope Canyon

[tinksdad]

Not Disney, but pretty interesting places. Spent a long weekend in the Northern Arizona/Utah area shooting the grand landscapes. Here's a couple, got more, but it will take awhile to get it all up.

Monument Valley Mitten at sunset

A little Further Southwest

Monument Valley on the Southeast side. This balloon was overhead (turns out a UK couple got married in it) and the pilot brought it down right over the butte. Makes for a wonderful shot!

 

[LBAK]

Those are some gorgeous pictures. I'd love to see more. Thanks for sharing them.

 

[wdwmom2]

Great pics. I haven't been out west since the late 1970's. I really would like to take DH there as he has never been out west before.

 

[mabas9395]

I really like these. I'm trying to understand the difference in the shades of blue in the sky. Did you use a CP on the last one but not the first two? Was it done in PP? Or was it just due to the time of day?

 

[tinksdad]

I really like these. I'm trying to understand the difference in the shades of blue in the sky. Did you use a CP on the last one but not the first two? Was it done in PP? Or was it just due to the time of day?

A fun trip!
Yep, pretty much kept the CP on the entire time. The skies (unfortunately) were pretty flat, with no to min clouds. The first two were in direct line with the sun, so the CP didn't do anything but change the color of the rock a bit.

Another view of the Mitten at twilight

 

[MarkBarbieri]

The first two were in direct line with the sun, so the CP didn't do anything but change the color of the rock a bit.

For anyone confused by this comment, the effect of a polarizer on the color of the sky varies based on the position of the sun. When the sun is directly above or to the left or right of the photographer, the effect is strong. When the sun is in front of or behind the photographer, the effect is very small.

You can actually see an example of the diminishing effect of the polarizer in the third picture. On the right, the effect is very strong, but it weakens towards the left side of the picture.

 

[tinksdad]

Here is a few of Antelope Canyon. A slot canyon that was formed from the rain run off carving the sandstone. At midday, the sun above shines down through the canyon which is only a few feet wide in some areas and illuminates the stone and can cast a sun beam of light on the floor. A very dramatic and inspirational sight.

 

[jann1033]

Here is a few of Antelope Canyon. A slot canyon that was formed from the rain run off carving the sandstone. At midday, the sun above shines down through the canyon which is only a few feet wide in some areas and illuminates the stone and can cast a sun beam of light on the floor. A very dramatic and inspirational sight.

the first group are nice but this group is absolutely breathtaking!

 

[MicMin]

Beautiful pictures!

 

[klmall]

Kevin - You should frame the second group! I've been to Monument Valley (pre-digital) and you captured it well!

 

[handicap18]

WOW!!!!

Awesome Kevin..... absolutly awesome!!

 

[Philagoofy]

Beautiful.

 

[fitzperry]

Kevin - You should frame the second group! I've been to Monument Valley (pre-digital) and you captured it well!

I'd have a hard time not framing all of those, although the shots of the canyon are particularly beautiful. I love the texture and light. Very well done!

 

[sk8belle]

Outstanding. You should frame the balloon photo from the first group and first photo from the second group.

Mark, thanks for the explanation - I needed it!

 

[tinksdad]

Thanks for the comments! We planned on visiting Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly, but after a morning shoot at MV one of the guys wondered how far it was to Antelope Canyon. He and I had planned to go there, but this trip came up with a photographer that had been to Monument Valley several times and knew the area. Anyway, it's only about 1.5hours there and since the midday time frame was optimum for the Slot Canyons it seemed to make sense. We actually stumbled into the best time for the light since it was just after noon and the third day of the summer solstice!

It couldn't have worked better for us too. We rolled up and inquired about the photography tour. One of the guides (Carol) was fixing to leave and we paid our $35 for the photography tour and jumped into the truck. The regular tour is $20, but on the photography tour they hold back the other people so you can get shots without others in them. Well worth the extra $15 for all of us!! If you're thinking about going, definitely pay for the "Photography Tour" and take a tripod and remote shutter release.

The funniest part was that all three of us were giggling like school girls about the wonderful light and the images we were capturing!! I want to go back next year!!

 

[jann1033]

husband and i have been seriously discussing a trip "out west" (not till next yr probably since it would take a long time from OH so might as well make the most of it) but from a claustrophobic point of view, is the area you took the second shots closed in like a cave or more open ( panic attack doesn't = sharp photos )

 

[tinksdad]

husband and i have been seriously discussing a trip "out west" (not till next yr probably since it would take a long time from OH so might as well make the most of it) but from a claustrophobic point of view, is the area you took the second shots closed in like a cave or more open ( panic attack doesn't = sharp photos )

The slot canyon is fairly narrow, but the sun is shining through the top and adding that wonderful glow that you see. I tried to avoid the "hot spots" since it really throws exposure for a loop. That kind of stuff doesn't bother me at all, but I'm thinking that you shouldn't have a problem at all. The camera does a pretty good job, but no where near the real life experience of standing there!!