Antelope Canyon- Page, Arizona

                              Lightbeam- Antelope Canyon

    Antelope Canyon is a very popular and very photogenic slot canyon located near Page, Arizona.  It is located on land owned by the Navajo Nation.  To visit the site, one can either hire a Navajo guide at the road, or there are several guide services in the town of Page which will transport you from downtown to the canyon, plus show you the ins-and-outs of the location.  There are actually two separate canyons, called upper and lower.  The photos shown here are all taken at Upper Antelope Canyon.  This is the more frequently visited of the two, and one can walk through its entire length without any climbing or obstacles (other than an occasional sidewinder rattlesnake that might hide in the shadows now and then).  I've also noticed black widow spiders on the walls in spots, so be alert.  The lower canyon is reputed to be a bit more difficult to negotiate, and is less popular with tourists (although many photographers extoll its virtues).
   If you visit Antelope Canyon with the intent of photographing, the most critical things that you need are a sturdy tripod and a cable release, because it is relatively dark in many parts of the canyon, and long time exposures will definitely be required.  (And don't even consider using flash, or all the beautiful natural lighting, which is the whole point of this spot, will be completely overpowered.)


Tech Info:  Mamiya 645, 45 mm lens, Fujichrome Velvia, scanned transparency

                   Near the entrance to Antelope Canyon
   Early in the morning, the area near the entrance is pretty much dark, and the best light is found at the far end of the canyon.  Later in the morning, the sunlight moves further toward the entrance.  The images above were taken late in the morning


Tech Info:  Mamiya 645, 45mm lens, Fujichrome Velvia, scanned transparency

   Getting optimum exposures here can be a bit tricky, especially with transparency film.  I used spot metering to try to estimate a neutral gray exposure, then bracketed exposures both directions from that setting in half-stop increments for a couple of stops.  My only visit to this spot was in the B.D. era (before digital).  I'd like to go back again someday and try this spot with digital equipment.  Actually, I'd just like to go back again, period, regardless of the circumstances!!

Tech Info:  Nikon F3, Nikkor 24-55mm zoom, Fujichrome Velvia, scanned transparency

Depending on one's tastes, you can make relatively abstract images like the one above by using longer focal length lenses and aiming up higher into the canyon.  These more abstract images are especially found at the far end of the canyon, earlier in the morning.


Tech Info:  Nikon F3, Nikkor 70-300 zoom, Fujichrome Velvia, scanned transparency


I hope all you visitors to my blog will someday be able to visit this spot in person.  In the meantime, I hope you've enjoyed viewing these images.
Bill