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Destination Arizona—Bring All Your Gear!
By Mary McGrath | Jun 10, 2008
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Lake Powell from Houseboat © Mary McGrath |
The red rocks were calling me. I’d done Sedona, Bryce and Zion in recent years, and another fix of sandstone was in order. Simply said, I couldn’t get enough of this terrific terrain. So when I got wind of a trip that included a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon, an off-road trip through Monument Valley, boating on Lake Powell and a train ride to Williams, needless to say, I was ecstatic. Beam me up Scotty, and count me in!
For any nature enthusiast, the red rocks of Arizona are a photographer’s delight. Imagine hundreds of rust colored monoliths grabbing for the heavens and begging for interpretation. How about peach-colored corridors spiraling into an endless maze of wonder? That’s a small snippet of the magnificence of this area.
Depending on your photographic persuasion, it’s best to bring as much camera gear as your lumbar will allow. Wide-angle lenses, telephotos, a tripod, and some lighting options will all assist you in obtaining your photographic pursuits. Expect to be exposed to sprawling landscapes, tight shots among towering boulders, challenging aerial photography, architectural wonders, sports and portrait photography, punctuated by varying climatic and lighting conditions.
We began our trek with the assistance of Detours, who host adventures out of many destinations in the Southwest. Their vans are not only nimble, but are quite comfortable as well. The guides are highly knowledgeable, and because they specialize in smaller tours, they are better able to meet your
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Monument Valley Sunset Shoot © Mary McGrath |
individual requirements than sprawling bus tours with hundreds of people. As we were covering quite a bit of ground, having vehicles that could temper the roads also made land travel all the more gracious, enabling us to get off road to discover some interesting sights.
If you can, try to arrive at any chosen destination when the light is most optimum. Usually sunset or sunrise provides opportunities for dramatic lighting and engaging colors. At Monument Valley, we were greeted with a plethora of rustic hues, all of which were changing with every passing minute. Sometimes it’s fun to add in an unexpected element like a photographer shooting the scenery, or a kid playing. This will add a sense of scale and human interest to the scene, which can differentiate it from the usual scenery shots that everyone takes.
Early morning offers many other photographic opportunities. Even when the sun continues to climb higher in the sky, colors can still be compelling, and very vivid. It’s my motto that the best photos are taken when you get off the beaten path, and away from other photographers. You know what they say about the road less traveled. Don’t be afraid to crawl, bend, twist and climb to get the shot you desire. Always shoot, shoot, and shoot some more. Try to obtain far more images than you’ll anticipate needing, as you never know which frames will be the most successful. Shooting digitally is one of the least expensive aspects of traveling. Getting there is the hard part, especially with gas and fuel prices making huge dents in your wallet.
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Aerial View of the Grand Canyon © Mary McGrath |
Aerial enthusiasts will delight in seeing the Grand Canyon from the air. Maverick Helicopters specializes in these dramatic tours, augmented by helicopters that are surprisingly quiet, and by far, the most comfortable ones I’ve experienced. Motion is dampened a bit as well due to their engineering, and the fact that each helicopter carries up to 8 people, which helps stabilize the aircraft to help eliminate camera shake as well, which is often a problem with aerial photography.
Try to sit next to the window, and if there’s an opportunity to open it, this will remove the glare of the glass while you’re shooting. Try to fly when the wind is at a minimum, as this will reduce the haze that can sometimes diminish your photographic results. Less wind will keep the aircraft more stable. Due to restrictions, many companies don’t fly early in the morning or late in the day, but do try to get out as early or as late as possible, so that the colors are enhanced. I usually set my camera on the highest shutter speed possible so that the terrain below is reasonably sharp. Check out the work of William Garnett who did terrific aerial shots of the Southwest. The results of his efforts are astounding.
Any trip to this area is not complete without a visit to the water, and Lake Powell, after several days of dust, was a welcomed oasis. Architectural enthusiasts should check out the dramatic perspectives at the Glenn Canyon Dam, where your wide angle lens will enable you capture some dramatic perspectives. Many boat trips are available out of Antelope Point Marina including the cushy 75’ Xtreme houseboat that will put you the center of opulence.
I hadn't been on a houseboat since my days entertaining clients for Sports Illustrated over a decade ago. Back then, we rented three modest houseboats and it was party central, with everyone scrambling for space. Houseboats run the gamut with respect to luxury and amenities, and because I'm all grown up now, the finer things in life hold new meaning for me. Simply said, an offer to ride on a swanky houseboat filled me with glee. When we boarded at Antelope Point Marina, I thought I had stepped onto some upscale magazine set for Architectural Digest.
If you’re into shooting interiors, you can get some good practice on these luxurious houseboats. Available light from all the windows makes it divine. Gingerly, I took my seat among one of the many cushioned sofas, and
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Grand Canyon Train © Lynne Eodice |
enjoyed shooting the scenery outside the window, a combination of Mars-like vortexes jumping up to the sky, braced in the teal churn of Lake Powell. Houseboats move rather slowly, which enables you take shots handheld with less camera shake. A trip to the top deck displayed a large hot tub. Oh yeah! What a way to spend some vacation time.
All aboard anyone? A train trip on the Grand Canyon Railway encompassed the final leg of our trip, and the cushy accommodations were very welcomed after several days on the road. In this case, the train also provided a bit of theater and a chance to people-watch. Enjoy photographing the antics of marshals, bank robbers, and old town musicians, who will make your two-hour journey to Williams all the more delightful. Or simply take some portrait shots of the passengers on the train as they dream of distant lands. I often pretend I’m shooting another object until I turn my lens toward my prospective subject. That way, you can be assured of a more candid shot.
Don’t forget to spend some time in Williams. There are several ghost tours available for imaginative travelers. Try your hand at spirit photography, where apparitions can appear on images taken in haunted surroundings. Williams will let you indulge in the Wild West the way it used to be when times were simple and people didn’t lock their doors.
General Information:
www.arizonarocks.com
Detours of Arizona
www.DetoursAZ.com
Keyah Hozhoni Monument Valley Tours
www.monumentvalley.com
Antelope Point Marina
www.antelopepointlakepowell.com
Maverick Helicopters
www.maverickhelicopter.com
Grand Canyon Railway
www.thetrain.com
Mary McGrath is a freelance writer and photographer who has contributed to such publications as Newsweek, Good Housekeeping, Rangefinder, After Capture, WPPI, Professional Photographer, and Shutterbug. She can be reached through her web site at: www.marymcgrathphotography.com
Let us know if you found this article useful, and tell us what kinds of articles you'd like to see in upcoming issues. Send your comments and ideas to Lynne Eodice.
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Last Updated: Oct 10th, 2008 - 22:06:41
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