Antelope Canyon – A Photo Essay
These photos of Antelope Canyon are going to blow your mind. Seriously! Not that I am bias or anything. The photographer who took them just so happens to be my husband, but when he showed my his collection of photos from our day at Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona, I was floored. I truly think this is his some of his best work ever.
Photography in Antelope Canyon
Not only because of the shots that he took, but because of the short time that he had in a difficult photographic situation. When taking photos of Antelope Canyon, there is a lot of pressure on the photographer. There is a short window of light, the canyon itself is very dark so you have to take very long exposures and it is extremely crowded with people. You have seconds at a time to take your photograph while your guide hold’s back the crowds. There isn’t time for second guessing yourself. People are impatient and want to move on. You have your one moment to grab the shot, or nothing. You can only see the canyon on a tour with a guide so there is no way to try to explore it on your own during a lesser crowded time of day. So, everyone flocks to the canyon at 10:30 am to catch a peak of the sun’s rays streaming through from above. We were in the middle of our Intrepid Travel Self Drive Adventure and am I ever glad that they put a stop in Page Arizona on the itinerary. We never would have known about it!
This is the place to be and the time to be there. To find out more on tips of how to take photographs at Antelope Canyon, check out our photo teaser post.
If you don’t know your camera well, you will come out of Antelope Canyon with a bunch of shots that are blurry and a mess. There were 12 people on our photography tour. Four of them had tripods. The rest who attempted to go hand held will have very little to show of our time there (well, except for me, my iPhone took wonderful photographs – seriously) To see a sample of my iPhone photos of Antelope Canyon, check out the same photo teaser post from above.
So without further delay, Here are my hubby’s fabulous photos of Antelope Canyon!
Antelope Canyon in Photos
The rays dance on the floor of Antelope Canyon
ThePlanetD Road Trip USA was sponsored by Intrepid Travel
book your own Self Drive adventure now.
Comments
71 Responses to Antelope Canyon – A Photo Essay
Leave a Reply
Partner with Us
ThePlanetD is one of the top travel blogs on the Internet. We work with brands and tourism boards to help bridge the gap between the corporation and consumer. To find out how you can work with us, visit our Media/Advertise page.Write for Us
Travel Resources
Connect with Us
Log in -
Development by MWL Development -
Designed by Gabfire Themes
Google+
Fantastic shots – you’ve made me want to go back right now!
Thanks Andy, we want to go back too. One day was not enough. I think I’d like to try it early or late in the season with less crowds.
That really is a photo paradise!!!!!!! If and when I have an apartment with walls of my own, I have to buy one of these as a print to hang on the wall. STUNNING!!!!!!!!!! Wow.
Thank you so much for traveling there and sharing it with us.
Aw, that is a huge compliment coming from you Kirsten. considering you could decorate your apartment with your own stunning photos. Much appreciated and when you have an apartment, any one of these is yours!
It was so much fun watching you adventurous Canadians discover some of the best National Parks the USA has to offer. These photographs are exceptional. Well done, Dave & Deb, well done!
Thanks Jen! It was great having you along for the ride. Thanks for your support on Instagram. We enjoyed visiting your neck of the woods too and can’t wait to come back!
These are stunning photos! I was about to write that the penultimate photo was my favourite, but then did another take and added the three before that one to the list, too! It looks absolutely stunning and the walls of the canyon look like super smooth sand in some of the photos. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for taking the time to really have a look at them Tom, I agree (as Deb) it’s difficult to choose a favurite.
I was just researching Antelope Canyon and photography tours two days ago, so it was really interesting to lean how they are actually done. We often underestimate how hard it is to capture beautiful images like that in poor lighting and with all the stress from the crowd. Dave’s photos are amazing!!!
Thanks Irina, what a conincidence that you were just looking up Antelope Canyon. You are so right, nobody would believe just how dark it is in there. Long Shutter speeds are the key. No flash photography is allowed.
These are some stunning photographs. So I guess if I go a tripod is a must from what you’ve said. I have to admit I look forward to my trip there sometime next year.
You got it Joselyn, a tripod is a must. In that low of light a hand isn’t steady enough. I’d love to see how the guy with the Hasselblad turned out. Rich dude, expensive camera, no photo experience
Beautiful photos Dave! Truly one of the top destinations in the world for photography lovers. Excellent captures!
Beautiful photos Dave! Definitely one of the top must-see destinations in the world for Photography lovers. Excellent captures
Thanks guys. You said it. It’s a must for any photographer.
Magical canyon, amazing photography!
Amazing pictures! We just got back from a lot of the western parks with our travel club but didnt make it here. You must have used a tripod with long exposure to get the light rays from above!
I don’t know how much post processing you did, but I do know that I’ve looked at a lot of photos of Anteleope and think it is one of the most gorgeous spots in the world. Even though I live in Arizona, I’ve never made it to Antelope Canyon or the other slot canyons in northern Arizona/Southern Utha. Count yourself fortunate. Wouldn’t it have been nice to get there years ago before the mobs??
Hi Vera, thanks for stopping by. As far as processing, I did white balancing and contrast adjustment. Two photos are taken in HDR but I found it too difficult with the crowds and movement to shoot in that format, so I just stayed with the old stand by of long exposure. And yes, I would have loved to have been there before the mobs. But that’s the nature of travel these days. Everywhere is so crowded these days.
Stunning shots, such an unusual landscape, would love to visit.
OMG I can see that a lot of technical skill went into these captures! What a beautiful place!
Thanks Natasha, I agree. The skill needed was beyond my scope (deb speaking) I gave up and took iPhone photos:)
These shots are so artistic! They could be featured in an art gallery for sure! I never knew a place like this exist in the states! My friends wants to go somewhere out west over spring break…this would be a great place to visit! What time of day were at the canyon to get such great lighting?
Sally Stretton
HI Sally, thank you for the huge compliment. One day I would love to have my own showing. We were there at 10:30 in the morning. There’s only one time of the day where the light shines through the like that and it’s the most crowded time of day as well. I hope you make on out West, there are so many amazing national parks so close to each other.
This place is on my list and hoping I can visit when there aren’t 12 people lining up. I can’t believe the majority didn’t bring a tripod. Great work Dave.
I think early in the season might be better. Not only were there 12 in our group, there were about a dozen other photo groups and then even more general tours. It was a mad house in there.
Pingback: Antelope Canyon from ThePlanetD « JB and G Write Stuff
Really beautiful photograph’s of your also interesting. These photograph’s are also inspiration for me. I like your post very much. Thanks for your stunning photograph’s sharing.
What a nice photographic post of your! Your photograph’s are so interesting also inspiration for me because its beauty. I like your post very much. Thanks for your wonderful post.
Thanks Benjamin, glad you liked it.
Hold sh*t! Fantastic photos Dave… they look like paintings. Great work!
Matthew, I think you have my favourite comment on here. Thanks for your enthusiam. Hugs,Deb:)
Awesome shots Dave, and I for one know how difficult it it to even get just one shot you’re proud of. Very nice work!
Daniel, thanks! Much appreciated.
WOW! These photos are out of this world. Great job guys.
Thanks so much! Cheers.
Great photos guys! Love the sunbeams
Thanks Cam. We had a short window to capture those sunbeams. I’m so happy we had a clear day!
Ahhhhh!!! These photos are stunning!!!!
Thank you Lillie. I was really happy with how they turned out. It was a very quick trip and we were in and out in about an hour and a half, but I got what a was looking for and came out satisfied with the result. cheers.
These pictures are absolutely stunning, I love the vibrant reds, yellows and oranges. We’ll have to add this to our long list of places we want to see. Thanks for sharing your photos!
It’s a great addition. I know the feeling though, our list keeps getting longer and longer and we don’t know how we’ll ever fit it in.
Spectacular photos Dave. I love the lines in the 4th one in particular.
I’ve wanted to spend some time here since I first made it to the Utah parks about 10 years ago. Did you make it to “The Wave” as well??
We didn’t make it to the wave. We had so little time to spend anywhere. It’s a great road trip, but a person definitely needs more time at each location to truly explore. We look at this as a super highlight and introduction to this part of America and will be back for sure to take our time at each location.
wow those are some amazing photos… I can’t imagine trying to work in a situation like that
Thanks Jade. I agree (this is Deb speaking) I brought my Panasonic GH1 DSLR to take some photos, but gave up trying. I’m not experienced enough. Dave rocked it and got some amazing shots and I had fun using the iphone to capture some quirky moments. The ProHDR setting worked great:) It was easy for me too since I’m just not up to the standards of the photographers that can grab shots quickly at Antelope Canyon.
Some very impressive shots of the Upper Canyon which I first visited back in 2007 so i totally understand the crowd issue – the popularity of this place has made it a victim of it own success a bit like Claude Monet’s water garden at Giverny in that respect. Two years later I visited the Lower Antelope Canyon where you have a little more freedom to take pictures because of its cramped/limited space and contorted nature so well worth making a visit if you can. This whole area is a delight of natural and strange geological phenomenas which leaves me eager to return one day soon I hope.
Best wishes, Alex.
Awesome photographs. They definitely make me want to go there! There is nothing better than taking time over photographs, so I can imagine how difficult it must have been with people being told to wait while you took the photos. Too much pressure!! Thanks for sharing them.
The most amazing artwork by the most amazing artisan, God!! Its fabulous and must have been an experience to be there in person! Thanks for sharing these captures
These photos are fantastic! I remember how hard it was to take pictures in Antelope Canyon when we were there two years ago with all the people around us, but our guide did a great job giving everyone the chance to take pictures without anyone in them. This was Lower Antelope Canyon, right? I love the second to last shot – beautiful!
That whole area is gorgeous, but the canyon is truly spectacular.
Love these photos…so other-worldly. It could be on Mars!
Wow I’ve never seen pictures quite like these. They almost don’t look real! You should frame them and put them on your wall.
Thanks Jess, I think when we do settle down one day, we will definitely put this series on a wall, I think it would be amazing to see every day.
I’ve GOT to visit this place! I bet you when the tourists aren’t there it is such a place of peace and tranquility!
I am due to visit this magical place next month. Your photos have served to whet the appetite quite considerably!
Amazing photography. I have been to Arizona several times and have never had a chance to visit Antelope canyon. Bit I’m definitely going next time I’m in the area.
I’ve been to Antelope Canyon and it truly is amazing. I wish I had had a better camera like you had cause those are some really great pics.
Absolutely stunning. You make it look easy but I’m sure it was very hard to capture the light quite like that. Good tip about the tripod!
Pingback: Where to go on Holiday Best Holiday Destinations Unusual Places to Stay | HeadingThere.co.uk
What an incredible place with amazing colours! It looks like it’s on a different planet.
that Ray of Sunlight is so unique and awesome. Feels like a diamond wand has just entered through the Canyon’s opening!
I remember back in the day in the late nineties, you could wait by the fence for an old beat up truck to come by and pick you up and take you back to the slot. There were times I would be the only one there or at most 4 or 5 other people. After paying your 5 dollars, you climb in the back of the pickup, the Indian driver would drop you off and tell you he would be back in a couple of hours. Taking shots was easy with none of the crowds. In fact, I would be done in an hour and spent the rest of my time just exploring. I haven’t been back since the crowds starting growing, but I can only imagine I would wish for the good old days.
Last year I had visited Antelope Canyon, and Honestly at that time I was not a good photographer , I had to attempt 10 to 11 times for a perfect pic of capturing the sunlight. Crowd is another obstacle to handle, thanks to my colleague who made it. By the way your pictures are much awesome than I have. Thanks
Pingback: an adventure trip essay | Storytelling
Wow, amazing photos guys!! That place looks magical, like something from Aladdin
Pingback: ‘This Week’s Best Travel Blogposts’ for Heading There (October 2012) | Writing by Greg Henley
Definitely one of the natural world’s most beautiful places – unfortunately it’s also quite crowded, but that’s to be expected in a place this amazing. Great photos!
Exactly. It’s way too crowded now, but still worth seeing. I’ve heard that going on the off season is much better. We’ll have to give it a try.
These are such great pics! I try to take good pictures, but nowhere near this. I am going to spend a month this autumn at one of the Myrtle Beach oceanfront hotels painting and taking pictures of sunrises; Bird Island State Reserve is near there too, but nothing as dramatic as Antelope Canyon. Then again, the low country area around SC is great in its own way too – excellent photos, they inspire me to break out the paints tonight. For some reason they remind me of Georgia O’Keefe paintings, the way the light seems to slowly drip from the ceiling in a majestic light fall – excellent shots!
As always totally stunning images, these look artistic and as mentioned above by Kirsten ideal as prints hanging on a wall. Looks like an amazing place to visit, thanks for sharing it with us
Iain Mallory recently posted..Smart Travel; Cultural Survival Guide for Travellers